Patient Education - Kidney Hypertension Clinic

An Overview of Dialysis

When kidneys fail to function properly, waste products, toxins and fluid build up in the body. This results in severe harm to the body. Modern medical technology has provided artificial kidneys, which we call dialysis.

Dialysis is a process by which a person's blood is cleaned of toxins that the kidneys normally would remove. Dialysis is used when a person's kidneys are severely compromised. There are many reasons for kidney damage but the most common ones are long term high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus.

There are two main options available to the patients with severe kidney failure: dialysis treatments and kidney transplants.

There are two main kinds of dialysis: Peritoneal and Hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is done in a patient’s home, by the patient, either alone or with a helper. Peritoneal dialysis uses the body's peritoneal membrane inside the abdominal cavity. The patient infuses glucose-based solution into the abdominal cavity. The solution remains in the abdomen for about some time, and then the patient drains fluid carrying toxins out.

Kidney disease Causes, symptoms, stages of kidney disease, treatments and delaying dialysis.	Dialysis Valuable insight on dialysis procedures, lifestyle on dialysis, and how to stay as healthy as possible.
Diabetes Learn about diabetes, how it causes kidney disease and what you can do to prevent renal failure.	Diet and nutrition Understand the importance of diet and how what you eat and drink affects your body and how you feel if you have kidney disease, diabetes or are on dialysis.