"Understanding Dialysis: Types, Benefits, and Differences Between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis"
Types of Dialysis: A Lifeline for Kidney Failure Patients When the kidneys fail to filter waste and excess fluids effectively, "dialysis" becomes a life-saving treatment. There are two primary types of dialysis: "Hemodialysis (HD)" and "Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)". Each method serves the same purpose but works differently. 1. Hemodialysis (HD): In hemodialysis, a machine called a **dialyzer** acts as an artificial kidney. Blood is drawn from the body, filtered, and returned through a vascular access, usually in the arm. The process typically takes "3-5 hours"and is performed "three times a week" at a dialysis center or at home. Advantages: ✔ Highly effective in removing waste ✔ Performed under medical supervision Disadvantages: ✖ Requires regular visits to a clinic ✖ Can cause fatigue and low blood pressure Peritoneal Dialysis (PD): Peritoneal dialysis uses the body’s "peritoneal membrane" (abdomen linin...