“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Dialysis is a medical treatment that is used to perform some of the functions of the kidneys when they are no longer able to do so. It is typically used for patients with end-stage kidney disease, which can result from conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease.
There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis involves the use of a machine to filter blood outside of the body and remove excess fluids and waste products. The blood is pumped through a dialysis machine, where it is filtered through a semipermeable membrane and then returned to the patient's body. Hemodialysis typically requires a vascular access point, such as a fistula, graft, or catheter.
Peritoneal dialysis involves the use of the patient's own peritoneal membrane, which lines the abdominal cavity, to filter blood. A dialysis solution is infused into the abdomen through a catheter, and then drained out after several hours, removing excess fluids and waste products.
Both types of dialysis require close monitoring by a medical team, including regular blood tests to ensure that the treatment is effective and that the patient is not experiencing any complications.
In some cases, a kidney transplant may be an option for patients with end-stage kidney disease, and dialysis may be used as a bridge treatment until a suitable donor organ becomes available.