Dial
Dialysis is a medical procedure that helps to perform the functions of the kidneys when they are failing or have failed. It is a life-saving treatment for people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or chronic kidney disease.
Types of Dialysis[edit | edit source]
There are two main types of dialysis: Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.
Hemodialysis[edit | edit source]
In hemodialysis, the blood is pumped out of the body to an artificial kidney machine and returned to the body by tubes that connect the patient to the machine.
Peritoneal Dialysis[edit | edit source]
In peritoneal dialysis, the patient's blood is cleaned inside the body. The doctor places a plastic tube into the patient's abdomen to make an access. During the treatment, the patient's abdominal area (peritoneal cavity) is slowly filled with dialysate through the catheter.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The dialysis procedure needs to be performed multiple times a week and each session lasts for about four hours. The frequency and duration of the sessions depend on the individual's kidney function and body size.
Risks and Complications[edit | edit source]
Like any other medical procedure, dialysis also has potential risks and complications. These may include infection, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, itching, sleep problems, anemia, bone diseases, depression, and pericarditis.
Preparation for Dialysis[edit | edit source]
Before starting dialysis, the patient needs to undergo a minor surgery to create an access into their blood vessels. This can be done in one of three ways: an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, an AV graft, or a venous catheter.
Diet and Nutrition[edit | edit source]
Patients on dialysis need to follow a special diet to limit the build-up of waste products in the body. They may need to limit the intake of certain nutrients such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Dial Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
