All types of dialysis serve to accomplish some of the functions that are normally performed by healthy kidneys. Essentially, your kidneys' "job" is to filter impurities from your body. When a person's kidneys are no longer functioning properly, we use dialysis to filter the blood.
There are two types of dialysis: peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. During hemodialysis, a patient's blood is circulated outside their body, where it passes through a dialyzer, the "artificial kidney". With peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, the blood is filtered inside the patient's body. A tube allows a fluid to enter the patient's abdomen, where wastes are extracted from the blood internally. Each type of dialysis has benefits and risks, which a nephrologist carefully evaluates and discusses with the patient.
In addition to the type of dialysis-- hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (PD)-- there are other options to consider. For instance, while most patients dialyze (that is, undergo dialysis treatment) in the dialysis center, under the observation of healthcare professionals, some patients may benefit from home hemodialysis (HHD). A nephrologist prescribes the dialysis, and the patient's team of carers continue to monitor the patient's health and offer support, but the actual procedure itself takes place in the privacy of the patient's home. This has multiple benefits, including the possibility of doing the dialysis more frequently or over a longer period of time. A longer, slower treatment is gentler on the body. It isn't right for every situation, but for some patients, HHD has a positive effect.
Nocturnal dialysis is another option. Like home hemodialysis, it allows the opportunity to slow down the process, since it takes place over several hours, as the patient sleeps through the night. Nocturnal dialysis can be done at home or in a dialysis center that provides nocturnal services, as we do at Nephrology Associates of Mobile.
We also offer "working shift" dialysis to support patients who are facing the challenges of scheduling dialysis treatments around their work hours.
Nephrology Associates has been serving the people of the Alabama Gulf Coast since 1972. We value each patient's health, comfort, and dignity and strive to provide the best care tailored to each patient's individual circumstances. Contact us to learn more about the medical services we provide.