Dialysis is a treatment for people in the later stage of chronic kidney disease (kidney failure). This treatment cleans the blood and removes wastes and excess water from the body. Normally, this work is done by healthy kidneys.

Sometimes dialysis is a temporary treatment. However, when the loss of kidney function is permanent (as in end-stage kidney failure), you must continue to have dialysis on a regular basis. The only other treatment for kidney failure is a kidney transplant.

Hemodialysis, means "cleaning the blood" - and that is exactly what this treatment does. Blood is circulated through a machine, which contains a dialyzer (also called an artificial kidney). The dialyzer has two spaces separated by a thin membrane. Blood passes on one side of the membrane and dialysis fluid passes on the other. The wastes and excess water pass from the blood through the membrane into the dialysis fluid, which is then discarded. The cleaned blood is returned to your bloodstream.

Insertion of the needles causes pain, but only for a brief time. This can be difficult for some people. Occasionally nausea, muscle cramps or dizziness can occur due to the fast removal of extra water from your body, which may cause your blood pressure to drop.

Each hemodialysis treatment normally takes four to five hours, and usually three treatments a week are needed. More frequent, shorter treatments or longer treatments may be indicated for certain patients. Only a small amount of your blood is out of the body at one time. Therefore your blood must circulate through the machine many times before it is cleaned.

Many dialysis centres in India offer the option of training patients or their partners to carry out hemodialysis at home. The dialysis machine and necessary modifications to your home are provided by the hospital. While some home hemodialysis patients follow a standard schedule of four to five hours three days a week, some Canadian centres are also offering nocturnal home hemodialysis in which patients go on dialysis four to six nights a week for six to eight hours while they sleep. Nocturnal home hemodialysis greatly improves the removal of waste products from the body and has been found to improve well-being, allow for a more liberal diet and reduce the need for medications.

Hemodialysis may be done in a hospital dialysis unit, in a clinic away from the hospital, in a self-care centre (with some assistance from the staff), or at home. Special training is needed for self-care or home hemodialysis.

Many dialysis centres in India offer the option of training patients or their partners to carry out hemodialysis at home. The dialysis machine and necessary modifications to your home are provided by the hospital. While some home hemodialysis patients follow a standard schedule of four to five hours three days a week, some Canadian centres are also offering nocturnal home hemodialysis in which patients go on dialysis four to six nights a week for six to eight hours while they sleep. Nocturnal home hemodialysis greatly improves the removal of waste products from the body and has been found to improve well-being, allow for a more liberal diet and reduce the need for medications.

You will need to plan your week around your hemodialysis schedule. You may have to take time off work or school before you start hemodialysis and when the treatments begin. However, once your health is more stable, you should be able to return to your normal activities. Depending on your energy level, you may have to make some adjustments in your work situation or limit your activities.

There are dialysis units across India and in many parts of the world. They have suitable facilities for visitors who need hemodialysis treatment. However, it is necessary to plan several months in advance due to limited space and staff. Your dialysis unit and local Kidney Foundation office can provide more information and advise you about travel costs and arrangements.