Dialysis is a treatment that takes over some of the work your kidneys normally do when they can’t filter blood well enough. It removes waste, extra fluid, and helps keep minerals and blood pressure in balance.

What it does

  • Cleans the blood by removing toxins and waste products.
  • Removes extra water to help prevent fluid buildup.
  • Helps control important minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, and bicarbonate.
  • Can help stabilize blood pressure.

When it’s used

Dialysis is usually used for kidney failure or severe kidney disease when the kidneys are no longer able to do enough of their job. It is a treatment, not a cure, unless followed by a kidney transplant in some cases.

Simple way to think about it

If your kidneys are like a body’s filter system, dialysis is the backup filter that helps keep you alive and more stable while the kidneys are failing.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.