People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can advance to kidney failure, which is also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). At this stage, overall kidney function is not adequate to maintain your life and health. Treating ESRD requires renal replacement therapy, including dialysis or transplantation. Your nephrologist will help you choose the right type of dialysis for you – peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, nocturnal dialysis, or home hemodialysis.
Hemodialysis is the process of removing waste products, chemical substances, and extra fluid from your body through an artificial kidney (dialyzer). This type of dialysis is done at a specialized dialysis center usually done three times per week. Each dialysis session takes an average of four hours. Hemodialysis requires an ”access” which is to get your blood cleaned. This access may be a fistula, graft, or dialysis catheter.
Please note: North Texas Kidney Disease Associates serve as medical directors for dialysis centers all over the DFW Metroplex area. We will arrange dialysis treatments at the center that is most convenient for you.
Nocturnal dialysis is a version of hemodialysis that is done overnight at the dialysis unit. Nocturnal hemodialysis patients receive seven-to-eight hours of dialysis three times each week, instead of typical four-hour treatment. This longer version is more like normal renal function and provides additional blood cleaning. Often, nocturnal dialysis patients can use less of their medications and report feeling better overall. Nocturnal dialysis requires the use of permanent access like a fistula or graft.
Home hemodialysis is another version of hemodialysis that allows the patient to receive hemodialysis treatment at home. This often requires intensive training and the help of a designated caregiver.
Peritoneal dialysis is like hemodialysis – it is a process of removing chemical substances, waste products, and extra fluid from your body. It is different because it uses a catheter inserted into your abdomen (peritoneum) as the access. During the treatment or exchange, about two quarts of fluid, called dialysate, runs into your abdomen through the catheter and remains there for three to five hours. It is then drained out. This drained fluid takes the waste products and extra water from your blood. Peritoneal dialysis is done seven days a week at your home. There are two types of peritoneal dialysis: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD).
Unfortunately, no. Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will continue to need dialysis treatments unless you receive a kidney transplant.
