Did you know that over 35 million people have kidney disease in the United States, and about 1 in 65 of them are on dialysis?¹

Dialysis may be needed for those whose kidneys do not function properly. Here is more information on what dialysis is, the type of dialysis, and the conditions that may lead to dialysis.

What is Dialysis?

Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes the waste and excess fluids from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, they do not filter out waste and toxins, such as urea and creatinine, from the blood properly, causing a buildup in the blood stream.²

Dialysis can be done at the patient’s home or in a clinic or hospital. Where the dialysis takes place can be determined by the patient’s personal preference, lifestyle, or health limitations. The patient’s medical team will help guide them on the option that is best for them.³

Types of Dialysis

Here are the three types of dialysis:

• In-center Hemodialysis: In-center hemodialysis is when dialysis is done at a clinic or hospital. The medical staff places the access needles either in the chest, arm, or leg, and monitors the patient’s vital signs. The blood filters out of the body and into a machine. This type of dialysis usually takes place three times a week for three to four hours at a time.⁴
• Home Hemodialysis: Home hemodialysis gives the patient more flexibility than dialysis done at a medical clinic. The patient has the ability to choose their own days and times for treatment. Before receiving home hemodialysis, the patient must get it prescribed by their doctor and undergo four to six weeks of training.⁵
• Peritoneal dialysis: Peritoneal dialysis is when a tube and needle are placed in the abdomen. The waste is filtered from the blood in the inside of the abdominal lining. Peritoneal dialysis can be done at home or in a medical clinic or hospital.⁶

Who Gets Dialysis

Not everyone who has chronic kidney disease needs dialysis. The patient’s nephrologist, or kidney doctor, will prescribe dialysis based on the severity of the following conditions:

• Stage 5 Kidney Disease. Stage 5 kidney disease is also known as kidney failure. People who have stage 5 kidney disease have kidneys with a function of less than 15%²
• Acute Kidney Injury. Acute kidney injury is when someone suddenly has kidney damage or kidney failure that occurs within hours or days.³

Kidney disease can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, prolonged urinary tract obstruction, and a long-term autoimmune attack on the kidneys.⁷