What is dialysis and how is it used to treat kidney failure?

Replaces kidney: Dialysis replaces kidney function by removing waste products and impurities from the body and helps to maintain a normal chemical balance. Hemodialysis means that your blood is circulated thru a hemodialysis machine where the impurities and products of protein metabolism are filtered out. Peritoneal dialysis involves a small tube entering the abdomen and having fluid irrigate to restore balance.

Dialysis: The process of dialysis is to take blood out of a patient who has kidney failure and send that blood through a dialysis machine. Inside the machine, blood is filtered, somewhat like a normal kidney but much less effiiciently taking out waster and water that has accumulated in the blood. The processed blood is then returned to the patient. Typically, dialysis takes place for 4 hrs 3 days/wk.