Dialysis is the artificial replacement for renal failure. It can be processed to the patients of acute kidney failure (very ill patients who have suddenly lost their kidney function, which is temporary case.) and end stage renal failure (where people have lost their kidney function permanently)
Dialysis is performed at dialysis unit or at home. It is a costly process.
Dialysis follows following principles in its working-
Need
Healthy kidneys can clean your blood and produce the hormones that make your bones strong. They also keep your blood healthy. On kidney failure you have to take replacement for all this work.
There are two options available for you:
Either you can have kidney transplant or dialysis. If you reject transplant, then you must accept dialysis.
Acute Indications for Dialysis/Hemofiltration:
Chronic Indications for Dialysis:
Procedure
There are two main types of dialysis:
Peritoneal dialysis
In peritoneal dialysis, lining of your abdomen, known as peritoneal membrane is used. Through a tube a sterile solution of minerals and glucose is run into a cavity around intestine. Peritoneal membrane works as a semi permeable membrane here.Dialysate absorbs water products and wastes and drained out through a tube. During a day process is carried out for 4 to 5 times.Ultrafilteration technique is used there by osmosis. The fluid flows from blood to dialysate as a result of osmic pressure. It has a less efficiency than hemodialysis.Its net effect for removing salt, water, and waste products is same to hemodialysis.
There are two types of peritoneal dialysis.
There is a process, similar to hemodialysis called Hemofiltration. A different principle of pressure gradient is used instead of dilysate.Blood pumping is carried through a dialyzer or hemoflter and water flows through a permeable membrane quickly facilitating dissolved substance move. A large molecular weight substances are removed mainly which are not cleared well with hemodialysis.lost salts and water are replaced in blood with substituting fluid that is infused into extracorporeal circuit during the treatment.
Result
Consideration
In some cases, acute kidney failure gets better after treatment so dialysis may be needed for a short time. If the kidney failure is of chronic type, then you have to carry dialysis for the rest of life time while the treatment is going on you may feel trouble. Special diet is required for both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. It would be decided according to type of your dialysis. With the help of your doctor, you have to choose a correct method for you.
BENEFITS OF DIALYSIS
RISKS OF DIALYSIS
ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES
Alternative to dialysis is Renal Transplant which may be advised to a patient depending upon various medical and other factors. At times the usual hemodialysis procedure may be substituted by another procedure which is carried out round the clock (CRRT) continuous renal replacement therapy.