Dialysis

Is used to save people with kidney problems.

What is Dialysis? and do I need it?

Dialysis is used when your kidneys have trouble filtering
out the excess water, salt, and waste from your body. It
also regulates blood pressure and chemicals within the
blood.

You would only need Dialysis if your kidney function

dropped below 15%. I may also just opt out of Dialysis if
you no longer feel its worth pursuing at your current stage
of life.

What are my options?

There are three primary and two secondary types of
dialysis:
hemodialysis
peritoneal
hemofiltration
hemodiafiltration
intestinal dialysis
You can also let life play out if you feel that dialysis isnt
worth it.

Option 1: Hemodialysis
The blood is pumped through the
compartment of a dialyzer, exposing it to a
semipermeable membrane. Blood flows
through the fibers inside the dialyzer, dialysis
solution flows on the outside of the fibers, and
water and waste move between these two
liquids.The clean blood is then returned to the
body. The average time per treatment is 4
hours long. On average, this is done 3 times
per week however. These long treatments are
often done at home while sleeping, and home
dialysis is very flexible.

Option 2: Peritoneal
A solution containing glucose is ran through a tube into the
cavity around the intestine, where the peritoneal
membrane acts as a semipermeable membrane. Diffusion
and osmosis make waste products and excess fluid go
through the membrane into the solution until equal
distribution is on both sides of the membrane. Then it is

drained, discarded, and replaced. It is done 4-5 times per

day; you can hook up to a machine for overnight.
Peritoneal is less effective than option 1 but the extended
time use make up for the amount of waste removed.
Peritoneal dialysis is carried out at home by the patient.

Option 3: Hemofiltration
Hemofiltration is a treatment where your blood is
pumped through a hemofilter with no dialysate is used.
A pressure gradient is applied to allow to water moves
across the membrane, fast enough to any dissolved
substances, regardless of size. Any water or salt that
was lost from the blood during this process is replaced
with something called substitution fluid, which is added
to help regulate the chemicals in your body.

Risk vs. Reward

Dialysis patients do have some risks and obstacles they
must clear before proceeding with the treatment. Dialysis does
cost a considerable amount of money. Fortunately, the
government and medicare can help pay for your treatment.
Patients who undergo treatment feel minimal pain during the
procedure and and is relatively painless afterwards.

Risk vs. Reward

Treatment will cause some changes to your everyday life.
Changes include:
Your diet may have to be edited to fit your type of
dialysis treatment
Your job may have to be changed if it is too labor
intensive
You are still able to travel to most parts of the world, go
about your day, and most importantly: Continue living with
your family.

Bibliography
http://books.google.com/books?id=ZyEDAAAA
MBAJ&pg=PA103#v=onepage&f=true
http://www.homedialysis.org/home-dialysisbasics/machines-and-supplies/dialysis-museum
http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/appnotes/index.mvp/id/4698
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dialysisinfo

Thanks for listening!