Kidney Dialysis

What Is Kidney Dialysis?
Kidney dialysis is a life-support treatment that uses a special machine to filter harmful wastes, salt, and excess fluid from your blood. This restores the blood to a normal, healthy balance. Dialysis replaces many of the kidney's important functions.
There are different types of kidney dialysis, including:
· Hemodialysis. Blood is filtered using dialyzer and dialysis machine.
· Peritoneal dialysis. Blood is filtered inside the body after the abdomen is filled with a special cleaning solution.
Hemodialysis
In hemodialysis, a machine filters wastes, salts and fluid from your blood when your kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work adequately. Hemodialysis is the most common way to treat advanced kidney failure. The procedure can help you carry on an active life despite failing kidneys.
Hemodialysis requires you to follow a strict treatment schedule, take medications regularly and, usually, make changes in your diet.
Hemodialysis is a serious responsibility, but you don't have to shoulder it alone. You'll work closely with your health care team, including a kidney specialist and other professionals with experience managing hemodialysis. You may be able to do hemodialysis at home.
Definition
Peritoneal dialysis (per-ih-tuh-NEE-ul di-AL-uh-sis) is a way to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job adequately. During peritoneal dialysis, blood vessels in your abdominal lining (peritoneum) fill in for your kidneys, with the help of a fluid (dialysate) that flows into and out of the peritoneal space.
Peritoneal dialysis differs from hemodialysis, a more commonly used blood-filtering procedure. With peritoneal dialysis, you can give yourself treatments at home, at work or while traveling. You may be able to use fewer medications and eat a less restrictive diet than you can with hemodialysis.
How to Know if Kidney Dialysis Is Working
You will have blood tests done, about once a month, to determine if kidney dialysis is removing enough wastes from your body. Your health care provider will specifically look at the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which provides an overall measurement for the amount of waste products in your body. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and bicarbonate will also be monitored.
What Happens if I Stop Kidney Dialysis?
Dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure. If your kidneys do not work, and you stop dialysis, your kidneys will continue to fail. You cannot live without at least one functioning kidney, unless you get a kidney transplant. Without a kidney transplant, you will need dialysis for the rest of your life.
Diet Considerations During Dialysis
If you have kidney disease, your doctor has likely recommended changes to yourdiet. Following a kidney-specific diet is very important to the success of your dialysis treatment. Diets can differ depending on the type of dialysis you get. Your kidney specialist -- or nephrologist -- will advise you on what dietary measures you need to take. For example, you will likely need to limit fluids and salt. Keep in mind that fluids aren't just found in drinks. Soups, fruits, and even ice cream contain plenty of water than can affect your body's water balance.

You may also be told to limit foods that are rich in phosphorus and potassium and to eat a high-protein diet. Before making any diet changes, talk to your health care team. They can provide further information on diet during dialysis.