1. What is Kidney Dialysis? The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood. Dialysis is a procedure that is a substitute for many of the normal duties of the kidneys. Dialysis is a procedure that is a substitute for many of the normal duties of the kidneys.Dialysis The kidneys are two organs located on either side of the back of the abdominal cavity. The kidneys are two organs located on either side of the back of the abdominal cavity. Dialysis can allow individuals to live productive and useful lives, even though their kidneys no longer work adequately Dialysis can allow individuals to live productive and useful lives, even though their kidneys no longer work adequately

2. When is dialysis needed? You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function. You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function.

3. What does dialysis do? Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps your body in balance. Dialysis does the following: Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps your body in balance. Dialysis does the following: removes waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body removes waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body keeps a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate keeps a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate helps to control blood pressure helps to control blood pressure

5. What is hemodialysis? Hemodialysis is a procedure in which a machine filters harmful waste and excess salt and fluid from your blood. A needle is inserted into your arm through a special access point. Your blood is then directed through the needle to a machine called a dialyzer, which filters your blood a few ounces at a time. The filtered blood returns to your body through another needle Hemodialysis is a procedure in which a machine filters harmful waste and excess salt and fluid from your blood. A needle is inserted into your arm through a special access point. Your blood is then directed through the needle to a machine called a dialyzer, which filters your blood a few ounces at a time. The filtered blood returns to your body through another needle

6. Who needs hemodialysis? If your kidneys are failing, you may need dialysis to help control your blood pressure and maintain the proper balance of fluid and various chemicals — such as potassium and sodium — in your body. Dialysis also helps your body maintain the proper acid-base balance If your kidneys are failing, you may need dialysis to help control your blood pressure and maintain the proper balance of fluid and various chemicals — such as potassium and sodium — in your body. Dialysis also helps your body maintain the proper acid-base balance

7. Sometimes kidney failure is caused by a specific kidney disease. In other cases, it's a complication of another condition, such as: Diabetes Diabetes High blood pressure (hypertension) High blood pressure (hypertension) Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis) Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis) Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) Polycystic kidney disease Polycystic kidney disease

8. Before you start hemodialysis, a surgeon creates a vascular access point for blood to leave for cleansing and then re-enter your body during treatment. There are three types of access points :

9. Temporary access. If you need emergency hemodialysis, the surgeon may insert a plastic tube (catheter) into a large vein in your neck or near your groin. The catheter is temporary. If it's left in place for too long, you face a risk of infection, clotting in the catheter and stenosis (narrowing) of surrounding blood vessels.

10. Arteriovenous (AV) fistula. A surgically created AV fistula is a connection between an artery and a vein, usually in the forearm. Once the connection is made, faster flowing arterial blood flows into the vein — causing it to grow larger and stronger. This makes repeated needle placements for hemodialysis easier. An AV fistula may take six weeks or longer to heal, but it can last for many years. An AV fistula is less likely than other types of access points to form clots or become infected.

12. Arteriovenous (AV) graft. If your blood vessels are too small to form an AV fistula, the surgeon may instead connect an artery and a vein with a synthetic tube. This tube functions like an artificial vein, usually in your forearm or upper arm. An AV graft often heals within two to three weeks. With proper care, an AV graft may last several years — but it's more likely to form clots and become infected than is an AV fistula.