Kidney Dialysis at St. Luke's Medical Center

Kidney Dialysis is a life-saving mechanism primarily used to replicate the functions of the kidneys when they are no longer operational or effective. It essentially helps to remove waste and excess water from the body. Knowledge about the procedure, its implications and potential challenges, can equip you mentally and physically to navigate through the whole process. With the proliferation of technology, dialysis has considerably evolved over the past years, introducing treatments varying in type and frequency to suit individual needs and lifestyles better.

Researching about the various types of dialysis such as Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies will enhance your understanding of the procedure. Hemodialysis, the most common form of dialysis, employs an artificial kidney (hemodialyzer) to filter out waste and excess fluids from the blood. Peritoneal Dialysis uses the lining of the patient's abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and a solution known as Dialysate to perform similar functions. Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies, on the other hand, are usually applied in a critical care setting for acute kidney failure, and used only when other treatments are not effective.