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CHRONIC
HEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT
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Chronic hemodialysis is a life-sustaining medical treatment for chronic kidney failure, using a machine to filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood, a process that healthy kidneys would normally perform. This therapy requires creating a vascular access, usually in the arm, from which blood is drawn, passed through a dialyzer (artificial kidney), and then returned to the body. Treatments are typically performed three times a week in a clinic for several hours, though home hemodialysis options are available. Patients must also adhere to strict diet and fluid restrictions and may require medications to manage complications like bone loss and anemia

How it Works

1. Vascular Access: A minor surgery creates a permanent opening in a blood vessel (fistula or graft), or a temporary catheter is inserted to provide access for the blood.

2. Blood Circulation: Blood is taken from the access site and pumped through tubes to a dialyzer, also known as an artificial kidney.

3. Filtration: Inside the dialyzer, a semi-permeable membrane separates and removes waste products (like urea and creatinine), excess fluid, and electrolytes from the blood.

4. Return to Body: The cleaned, filtered blood then flows back into the body through another tube. 

Treatment Settings

  • In-Center Dialysis: 

Treatments are administered at a dialysis clinic or center by trained nurses and technicians.


  • Home Hemodialysis: 

With proper training, patients can perform hemodialysis in their own homes, often with the assistance of a care partner.


Key Considerations
Frequency and Duration: Chronic hemodialysis is usually performed three times per week, with each session lasting between 3.5 and 5 hours, depending on individual needs.
Diet and Fluid Restrictions: Patients must carefully manage their diet and limit fluid intake to prevent excess fluid and waste buildup between treatments.
Medications: Medications may be prescribed to treat anemia (e.g., erythropoietin-stimulating agents) or manage bone health and high phosphate levels (e.g., phosphate binders).
Ongoing Care: A team of healthcare professionals, including nephrologists (kidney specialists), dietitians, and nurses, manages the patient's condition and provides comprehensive care.