dialysis

• What is kidney dialysis?

  A medical treatment used to remove waste products, excess salts and excess water from the blood when kidneys are no longer able to function properly.
• What are the steps of kidney dialysis?

  • Blood is taken from arm, treated and returned.
  • Artificial membrane is partially permeable - allowing small molecules to diffuse.
  • Dialysis fluid does not contain urea and so the molecules diffuse out of the plasma.
  • Dialysis fluid contains the ideal concentrations of salt and glucose so there is no net diffusion.
  • Equilibrium is reached between the blood plasma and the dialysis fluid.
• What are benefits of kidney dialysis?

  • No waiting for donors.
  • Cheaper in short-term
• What are negatives of kidney dialysis?

  • Blood clot risk
  • Anti-clotting medication can lead to excessive bleeding/ blood clots/heart attack
  • Puncturing of skin - increases chance of infection
  • Dietary restriction