Dialysis

Dialysis is a medical treatment that performs the essential functions of healthy kidneys when they are no longer able to work effectively. The kidneys normally remove waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood while maintaining the body's balance of electrolytes. When kidney function declines due to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, dialysis helps take over these vital tasks.

There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a machine and a special filter called a dialyzer to clean the blood before returning it to the body. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum, as a natural filter to remove waste and excess fluid.

Dialysis does not cure kidney disease, but it helps manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and prolong survival for people with kidney failure. Treatment schedules vary depending on the type of dialysis and the patient's medical needs. Along with dialysis, patients are often advised to follow a kidney-friendly diet, limit fluid intake, and take prescribed medications.

Although dialysis requires ongoing treatment and lifestyle adjustments, it enables many people with kidney failure to continue their daily activities while awaiting a kidney transplant or as a long-term treatment option.