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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHemodialysis is the most common way to treat advanced, permanent kidney failure. The procedure helps hundreds of thousands of people live, work and enjoy hobbies despite failing kidneys. During hemodialysis, a machine does some of the work healthy kidneys normally perform by filtering harmful wastes, salts and fluid from your blood that would normally be eliminated in your urine.
There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both types require you to follow a strict treatment schedule, take medications regularly and, often, make changes in your diet. Hemodialysis is a serious responsibility, but you don't have to shoulder it alone. You'll work closely with your health care team, which will include a kidney specialist and other professionals with experience managing hemodialysis.
- Treatment methods for kidney failure: Hemodialysis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/hemodialysis. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Dialysis in the treatment of renal failure In: Fauci AS, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2881062&print=yes. Accessed Aug. 24, 2008.
- Hemodialysis. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/ATOZ/atozItem.cfm?id=35. Accessed Aug. 24, 2008.
- Berns JS. Patient information: Hemodialysis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2008.
- Berns JS. Patient information: Renal replacement therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2008.
- Berns JS. Patient information: Chronic kidney disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2008
- Kliger AS. Frequent nocturnal hemodialysis - A step forward? Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007;298:1331.
- Mailloux LU. Dialysis modality and patient outcome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2008.
- Ricci Z, et al. Dose and efficiency of renal replacement therapy: Continuous replacement therapy versus intermittent hemodialysis versus slow extended daily dialysis. Critical Care Medicine. 2008;36(suppl):S229.
- McFarlane PA, et al. The quality of life and cost utility of home nocturnal and conventional in-center hemodialysis. Kidney International. 2003;64:1004.
