Hemodialysis

In hemodialysis, your blood is allowed to flow, a few ounces at a time, through a machine with a special filter that removes wastes and extra fluids. The clean blood is then returned to your body. Removing the harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids helps control your blood pressure and keep the proper balance of chemicals like potassium and sodium in your body.(niddk.nih.gov)

The time needed for your dialysis depends on the following:

* how well your kidneys work
* how much fluid weight you gain between treatments
* how much waste you have in your body
* how big you are
* the type of artificial kidney used

Usually, each hemodialysis treatment lasts about four hours and is done three times per week.

 

In-Center Hemodialysis

Most hemodialysis treatments take place at a dialysis center. The patient has to travel to the center on a set schedule. At the center, a staff of nurses and techncians perform the treatment. The patient is responsible for coming to the center for scheduled treatments, taking prescribed medicines, and following diet and fluid restrictions.

At-Home Hemodialysis

Some patients do well with home dialysis. Learning to do home hemodialysis takes 3-6 weeks of training. A partner -- usually a family member -- and the patient are trained and both share responsibilites. During training, a hemodialysis training nurse teaches the patient and partner to dialyze the patient during the training sessions. Over time, the patient and partner are given more responsibilities at these sessions (kidneydirections.com)