Why do I need dialysis?
If your kidneys aren’t operating effectively enough to clean your blood of waste and excess water, you have a condition known as kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. The team at Kidney360 may recommend dialysis, which is a medical treatment that cleans your blood like healthy kidneys do.
While kidney failure most often occurs after months or years with chronic kidney disease, your kidneys can also fail quickly due to an acute illness.
What are the types of dialysis?
There are two types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis: you’re attached to a machine that cleans your blood; primarily done at a clinic
- Peritoneal dialysis: infusion of a special blood-cleaning fluid into your abdomen frequently throughout the day or at night; done at home
The team at Kidney 360 can help you determine which form of dialysis is right for you. Their team nephrologists have years of experience helping patients determine the best form of treatment based on their health, age, lifestyle, and living situation.
What is in-center hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a form of dialysis that uses a special machine to clean your blood. Your blood flows from your body to the machine, then goes through an advanced filtering system called a dialyzer, and then is returned to your body cleared of waste, excess sodium, and fluids. This type of dialysis is performed in-center at Kidney 360.
What happens during in-center hemodialysis treatment?
During hemodialysis, two needles with tubes attached to the hemodialysis machine are inserted into what’s called vascular access in your arm. The hemodialysis machine takes blood from one of the needles a few ounces at a time, cleans it, then sends it back to your body through the other needle.
The entire procedure takes a few hours and is conducted two or three times a week. The physicians at Kidney360 determine how often and how long you need to be on the machine.
Do I need to follow a special diet during in-center hemodialysis treatments?
When you’re on hemodialysis, you need to pay close attention to your diet and limit your intake of foods high in phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. You also have to be careful about how much you drink. Because your kidneys can’t clear these nutrients from your body, they can build up in your blood between treatments, which can be harmful to your health.
If you would like to learn more about in-center hemodialysis, call Kidney360, or book an appointment online today.
