WHAT IS DIALYSIS?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood and is a common medical treatment for people with ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease ), dialysis performs similarly to how healthy kidneys do.
WHAT DOES DIALYSIS DO?
Removes waste and extra water from your body. Regulates your body’s fluid balance. Helps to control your blood pressure.
WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE(CKD)?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a term used to describe kidney damage or reduced kidney function. Chronic kidney disease may lead to kidney failure or end stage renal disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
WHAT IS END STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD)?
End stage renal disease is permanent kidney failure, causing your body to retain fluid and harmful waste builds up. Dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed to stay alive after being diagnosed with end stage renal disease.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIALYSIS TREATMENTS FOR END STAGE RENAL DISEASE?
There are 2 main types of dialysis: Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD).
WHAT IS HEMODIALYSIS?
The word hemo means “blood” and dialysis means “filter”. Hemodialysis is a process where blood is filtered outside the body by a machine called a dialyzer or “artificial kidney,” and then returned to your body.
WHAT IS PERITONEAL DIALYSIS?
Peritoneal dialysis gets its name from the lining of your abdomen, which is called the peritoneum. This lining is a membrane that surrounds the space in your abdomen called the peritoneal cavity. This natural lining can be used to filter your blood.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER MY DIALYSIS TREATMENTS?
After treatment you may feel tired or weak but you should adjust to your dialysis treatments over time.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T FINISH MY WHOLE DIALYSIS TREATMENT?
Many dialysis treatments last about four hours and are done three times per week, shortening your treatment time may cause you to feel sick or result in hospitalization.
HOW MUCH FLUID SHOULD I DRINK AS A DIALYSIS PATIENT?
Depending on how much urine you can make, the nephrologist and renal dietitian at the dialysis unit will help determine the appropriate fluid levels for your individual needs.
CAN I TRAVEL WHILE ON DIALYSIS?
Yes, the social worker at the dialysis clinic can locate a dialysis center near your destination and help schedule your treatments.
CAN I WORK WHILE ON DIALYSIS?
Yes, our team at the dialysis clinic will work with you to accommodate your work schedule.
WHY DO I HAVE TO COME TO DIALYSIS 3 TIMES WEEKLY?
Between dialysis treatments toxins build up in the blood and these will eventually make you unwell. The more often you have treatment the easier it will be to control the toxins.
WHY DO I HAVE TO HAVE 4 HOURS OF TREATMENT EACH VISIT?
While working kidneys are filtering out waste continuously, dialysis tries to filter the same amount of waste in a shorter time frame.
WHY SHOULD I GO TO MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY?
We have a distinct commitment to serve the community and its people with the most up to date facilities, convenient locations, and with the finest physicians. We provide care and guidance for patients with kidney disease including but are not limited to Chronic Kidney Disease. So contact us today, our team of specialized kidney doctors are ready to help you live a healthy and comfortable life from any of our clinics across Milwaukee, Waukesha and all of Southeast Wisconsin.
CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY
Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.