Dialysis (per session)

Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for people whose kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste and excess fluid from the blood on their own. For patients with kidney failure, it takes over a function the body can no longer perform, and understanding how it works — and what it involves practically — makes the transition to regular treatment considerably less daunting.

Why dialysis becomes necessary

Healthy kidneys continuously filter waste products, balance electrolytes, and remove excess fluid from the blood. When kidney function drops to roughly 10–15% of normal — typically from chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or glomerulonephritis, though sometimes from acute kidney injury — waste and fluid begin accumulating to dangerous levels, and dialysis becomes necessary to sustain life.

Two main types of dialysis

Hemodialysis

Blood is circulated through an external machine that filters out waste and excess fluid before returning it to the body. This is typically done at a dialysis center three times a week, with each session lasting three to four hours, though home hemodialysis is also an option for suitable patients.

Peritoneal dialysis

Uses the lining of your own abdomen (the peritoneum) as a natural filter. A cleansing fluid is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a catheter, left to absorb waste products, then drained out — a process that can often be done at home, either manually several times a day or automatically overnight using a machine.

What a typical hemodialysis session involves

1. Two needles are placed into an access point — usually a fistula or graft created surgically in the arm beforehand — connecting you to the dialysis machine
2. Blood is continuously drawn out, filtered, and returned throughout the session
3. Vital signs and fluid removal are monitored closely throughout
4. Mild fatigue or lightheadedness afterward is common, particularly with larger fluid removal

Living with a dialysis schedule

Adjusting to a regular dialysis routine is a real lifestyle change, involving dietary adjustments — typically limiting sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake — alongside the time commitment of regular sessions. Many patients find that once the routine becomes familiar, energy levels and overall wellbeing improve compared to how they felt as kidney function was declining untreated.

Dialysis as a bridge, not always permanent

For some patients, dialysis is a long-term treatment; for others, particularly those with acute kidney injury or those on a kidney transplant waiting list, it serves as a bridge until either kidney function recovers or a transplant becomes available. Your nephrologist will discuss which path applies to your specific situation.

Getting started with care

If you've been told your kidney function is declining, getting connected with a nephrologist early — well before dialysis becomes urgent — allows more time to plan the right type of access, dialysis modality, and overall care plan. Our specialists can guide you through this process with clear explanations at every step.