Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that helps filter waste
products from the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. The two main
types of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane
(dialyzer) to filter wastes and remove extra fluid from the blood. It is
usually done in a hospital or outpatient dialysis center 3 times a
week.
- Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen
(peritoneal membrane) and a salt solution (dialysate) to remove wastes and
extra fluid from the body. Treatment can be done at home over several sessions
each day or for several hours at night.
