What Is Dialysis?

If your chronic kidney disease (CKD) reaches end stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as kidney failure or stage 5 CKD, your kidneys are no longer functioning to filter and clean the blood the way healthy kidneys normally would. Without treatment, life-threatening waste and toxins will build up in the body. At this point, dialysis treatment is needed to prolong life until you can receive a kidney transplant.

If you have conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, you are at higher risk for kidney failure, which means you may eventually require treatment like a kidney transplant or dialysis. Dialysis removes excess fluid from the body, helping to control blood pressure. Working with your doctor to keep blood sugar and blood pressure controlled may help keep your kidneys working longer.

Doctors use a number of kidney function tests to determine your kidney health. Most people begin dialysis treatment when they have a GFR of <15, meaning they’ve lost about 85 to 90 percent of their kidney function. Early diagnosis of CKD and regular monitoring can help you keep your kidneys functioning for as long as possible—and allow you and your doctor to plan for ESRD treatment when necessary.

Kidney dialysis is a treatment that can help you live well with ESRD.

• Dialysis can perform regular functions that your kidneys are no longer able to perform themselves.
• Dialysis helps to keep your body’s potassium, phosphorus, and sodium levels balanced.
• Dialysis empowers you to live a full, active life with kidney failure.
• There are 2 types of kidney dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
• More and more people are choosing home dialysis, which can offer greater flexibility and better outcomes.
• The best dialysis option for you is the one that best fits your lifestyle and health needs.
• Many people switch dialysis types to fit a changing lifestyle at some point during long-term treatment.

With hemodialysis, your treatment length and frequency depends on your doctor’s prescription  and where you receive your treatment:

• Home hemodialysis can be done 5–6 days a week for 2 1/2 to 3 hours each, 3 days a week for 3–5 hours, or for 6–8 hours while you sleep every night or every other night. You may also require longer treatments or a different weekly number of treatments, depending on your unique condition.
• In-center hemodialysis is typically done 3 times a week for 3–5 hours during the day or 8 hours for nocturnal hemodialysis.

With peritoneal dialysis, the length of treatment will depend on whether you choose continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or automated peritoneal dialysis (APD):

• CAPD treatments are done manually, without a machine, about 3–5 times per day.
• APD uses a machine called a “cycler” and can be done as a longer single session while you sleep, as multiple shorter sessions during the day or night, or as a combination of these options.

Dialysis treatment is prescribed by your doctor. Together, you and your doctor will discuss treatment options and determine what’s right for you. If you decide to go on dialysis, your doctor will prescribe your treatment time and frequency based on your unique health needs. It’s important to complete your dialysis treatment exactly as prescribed to feel your best.