| Dialysis is a procedure that cleans and filters your blood. It rids your body of harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids. It also controls blood pressure and helps your body keep the proper balance of chemicals such as potassium, sodium, and chloride. |
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Hemodialysis
uses a dialyzer, or special filter,
to clean your blood. The dialyzer connects to a machine. During
treatment, your blood travels through tubes into the dialyzer. The
dialyzer filters out wastes and extra fluids. Then the newly
cleaned blood flows through another set of tubes and back into your
body.
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Peritoneal
dialysis uses the peritoneal cavity as the dialysate reservoir and the
peritoneum as the semipermeable membrane which waste solids and fluids
will travel across.
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