What is Dialysis?

Are you new to dialysis or looking to learn more? When our Co-Founder Tess’ Grandfather began dialysis treatment, she didn’t know anything about it and constantly found herself thinking, what is dialysis?

Her first Google search for “What is dialysis” didn’t go so well. She was intimidated by some of the terms used and a little frightened by some of the images provided. When she asked her family “What is dialysis?”, they all had slightly different answers. At first, her Grandfather and his nurses had a hard time answering the question, what is dialysis?

We developed a valuable resource page for all who are asking the same question, what is dialysis? We recommend checking out the links on our Resource Page to learn more about kidney disease, resources for patients, and to find an answer to the question what is dialysis?

What is dialysis? FAQs

What is dialysis?

Most know dialysis is a treatment in which kidney function is replaced due to kidney failure. Healthy kidneys’ responsibilities include cleaning the blood (56 times per day on average) and monitoring levels of water of minerals in the body. So, what is dialysis? During treatment, blood is removed from the body, pumped through a machine that acts as a filtration system, then placed back into the body. Dialysis patients attend treatment at least three times a week to replace kidney function and stay alive. Dialysis begins when kidneys are functioning at <15%, stage 4-5 kidney disease.

What is dialysis and are there different types?

There are two primary types of dialysis. Hemodialysis may be done at a clinic, hospital, or in the patient's home. Blood is typically filtered through a machine by means of the patient's arm, chest, or thigh and an estimated 90% of the dialysis population receives hemodialysis. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a similar process although the blood comes from the patient's abdomen and an estimated 10% of dialysis patients receive this type of treatment.

What is dialysis doing and why do patients become cold?

To complete the cleaning process, before blood re-enters the body, dialysate is diffused with blood to remove waste. Dialysate feels cool when entering the bloodstream. In addition, clinics are kept at low temperatures to maintain germ-free atmospheres.

What is dialysis and why is proper clothing beneficial?

Wearing proper clothing to dialysis benefits both patients and nurses. Patients are able to maintain warmth and avoid uncomfortable over-exposure because only their treatment area is exposed instead of their entire arm, chest, or thigh. Our clothing also maintains continuous visibility of the treatment site for nurses which is required by law and reduces the chance of needle dislodgement or bleed outs.