Dialysis

Medical Reviewing Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR

• What is dialysis?
• When do patients require dialysis?
• What types of dialysis are there?
• What does the patient do during dialysis?
• What are the advantages of the different types of dialysis?
• How can patients learn more about dialysis?
• Dialysis At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Dialysis - Describe Your Experience

What is dialysis?

The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood. Dialysis is a procedure that is a substitute for many of the normal duties of the kidneys. The kidneys are two organs located on either side of the back of the abdominal cavity. Dialysis can allow individuals to live productive and useful lives, even though their kidneys no longer work adequately. In the United States, there are over 200,000 people who use dialysis techniques on an ongoing basis.

Dialysis helps the body by performing the functions of failed kidneys. The kidney has many roles. An essential job of the kidney is to regulate the body's fluid balance. It does this by adjusting the amount of urine that is excreted on a daily basis. On hot days, the body sweats more. Thus, less water needs to be excreted through the kidneys. On cold days, the body sweats less. Thus, urine output needs to be greater in order to maintain the proper balance within the body. It is the kidney's job to regulate fluid balance by adjusting urine output.

Another major duty of the kidney is to remove the waste products that the body produces throughout the day. As the body functions, the cells use energy. The operation of the cells produces waste products that must be removed from the body. When these waste products are not removed adequately, they build up in the body. An elevation of waste products, as measured in the blood, is called "azotemia." When waste products accumulate they, cause a sick feeling throughout the body called "uremia."

Dialysis - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with Dialysis.

Anonymously share your comment to help others.
See 8 Viewer Comments

Submit Your Comment

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• folic acid-oral, FA-8 - Consumer information about the medication FOLIC ACID - ORAL (FA-8), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug FOLIC ACID - ORAL.
• Creatinine Blood Test - Learn more about the creatinine blood test, a test that measures kidney function. Abnormal creatinine levels in the blood may indicate kidney disease.
• Kidney Failure - Learn about kidney failure, in which the body has fluid retention, risen blood pressure, toxin build up and lack of red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and apetite loss.

Read more Dialysis related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Traveling While on Dialysis Could Be Risky
• Anemia Drug May Raise Stroke Risk in Kidney Patients
• For People on Dialysis, Too Thin Can Be Risky
• Kidney Damage Another Consequence of Anabolic Steroids