The kidneys filter your blood by removing waste and excess fluid from your body. This waste is sent to the bladder to be eliminated when you urinate.
Dialysis
Dialysis is a treatment that is used when your kidneys fail to do the work they are supposed to do. It filters and purifies the blood using a machine. This helps keep your fluids and electrolytes in balance once the kidneys can’t do their job.
Why It’s Used?
When your kidneys can’t perform proper functions due to disease or injury, dialysis can help keep the body running as normally as possible. If dialysis is not performed, salts and other waste products will mix in the blood, they will poison the body, and damage other organs.However, chemical analysis isn’t a cure for renal disorder or alternative issues touching the kidneys. Different treatments may be needed to address those concerns.
Different Types of Dialysis
There are three different types of dialysis.
Hemodialysis and Artificial Kidney
Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis. This method uses a synthetic excretory organ (hemodialyzer) to get rid of waste and additional fluid from the blood. The blood is off from the body and filtered through the factitious excretory organ.The filtered blood is then returned back to the body with dialysis machine. Hemodialysis treatments usually last three to five hours and are performed three times per week. However, hemodialysis treatment can also be completed in shorter, more frequent sessions.Most hemodialysis treatments are performed at a hospital, doctor’s office, or dialysis center. The length of treatment depends on your body size, the amount of waste in your body, and the current state of your health.
After you’ve been on hemodialysis for an extended period of time, your doctor may feel that you’re ready to give yourself dialysis treatments at home. This option is more common for people who need long-term treatment.
Peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis involves surgery to implant a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter into your abdomen. The catheter helps filter your blood through the peritoneum, a membrane in your abdomen. The dialysate absorbs waste.This process takes a few hours and needs to be repeated four to six times per day. However, the exchange of fluids can be performed while you’re sleeping or awake.
There are numerous different types of peritoneal dialysis. The main ones are:
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD):
In CAPD, your abdomen is filled and drained multiple times each day. This methodology doesn’t need a machine and should be performed whereas awake.
Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD):
CCPD uses a machine to cycle the fluid in and out of your abdomen. It’s usually done at night while you sleep.Intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD). This treatment is usually performed in the hospital, though it may be performed at home. It uses the same machine as CCPD, but the process takes longer.
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT):
This therapy is used primarily in the intensive care unit for people with acute kidney failure. It’s also known as hemofiltration. A machine passes the blood through tubing. A filter then removes waste products and water. The blood is returned to the body, along with replacement fluid. This procedure is performed 12 to 24 hours a day, generally every day.