Our Dialysis Program
When the kidneys function correctly, they act as a sort of filter, removing excess waste and water from the blood. However, when the kidneys begin to fail due to kidney disease or another reason, their filtering function is diminished. This can lead to several health issues, including electrolyte imbalances and hypertension.
When this occurs, treatment with dialysis can help. Dialysis performs some of the typical responsibilities of the kidneys, filtering out what’s unnecessary and cleansing the blood. This helps the body maintain normal levels of electrolytes, including sodium, and helps maintain normal blood pressure.
Types of Dialysis
There are two kinds of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. They both perform the essential functions that your kidneys usually do, but they do so in different ways.
During hemodialysis, an artificial kidney (also called a dialyzer) is used to filter blood. First, a doctor will perform a minor procedure to access your blood vessels. Once your blood is accessed, the machine pumps it through the filter and then returns it to your body.
During peritoneal dialysis, the filtering process occurs within your body. When you first begin, a doctor will perform a procedure to place a catheter in the abdomen. The lining of your abdomen—called the peritoneum—is then filled with a chemical called dialysate. This chemical absorbs waste in your blood while it is in the body and is then eliminated from the body, replaced with a fresh solution in a process called exchange. This can be done at your home after training and support from our team of physicians and nurses.
During home hemodialysis, you will use a small, portable machine designed specifically for this purpose. The daily treatments more closely resemble normal kidney function and are considered by many in the kidney community to be a promising alternative to in-center dialysis.
The amount of time required for each dialysis session, as well as the frequency of dialysis, varies depending on the type and whether it is performed in a medical facility or at home. Your doctor can advise you on the type of dialysis that might work best for you and how often it is needed.
When Dialysis Is Needed
Dialysis is needed when the kidneys reach a certain point of failure, either temporarily or during end-stage renal failure. Patients generally need dialysis when they have lost at least 85% of normal kidney function.
In cases of acute kidney failure, the kidneys may improve after a short time, eliminating the need for dialysis.
During end-stage renal failure, the effect is lasting, and the kidneys have failed to the extent that either dialysis or a kidney transplant is necessary.
