Some say getting shots for diabetes each day is quite painful. But this pain is less as compared to undergoing a dialysis. Dialysis is one of the medical emergencies that needs a well-qualified doctor and well equipped hospital to carry out.

So, what is dialysis and why it is carried out?

Normally, kidneys of a healthy person filter about 1500 liters of blood in a day. If the kidneys do not function properly, then the waste builds up in the bloodstream. After a time period, it can lead the individuals to coma and eventually death. This medical emergency calls for the need of dialysis which is an artificial alternative to serve this function.

Dialysis is done about 1-3 times in a week, depending upon the type of dialysis and the condition of the patient. Each session goes on for about 3 to 4 hours. Dialysis averts the level of waste product from reaching the level when it will cause some serious damage to the body. Moreover, it removes the toxic stuffs from the bloodstream and maintains the level of water and minerals in the body.

Can dialysis be considered as a substitute for kidneys?

Apart from acting as a filter, kidneys also secrete chemicals that help in metabolism. Dialysis helps the person suffering from damaged kidneys. Apart from this treatment and medication, the patients also must ensure they keep in check the amount and type of food and drink they consume. No matter how advance medical science is, dialysis cannot replace the kidneys.

Dialysis from a young age can affect fertility in some people, especially women as compared to men. However, most of the people suffering from kidney damage can lead a normal live, work and travel, provided that their destination is suitable enough to carry out dialysis.

Whether to do it at home or at the hospital?

It can be carried out at home as well. But before making this decision, the patient and their caregiver must be aware of the entire process and mechanism thoroughly. It is suitable for only those patients who remain in stable condition during the procedure. Also, their home environment must be suitable for carrying out dialysis.

However, dialysis is best carried out in hospital, where doctors monitor and assist in case of any problem. Thus, it is advised to let the professions carry out these procedures in a more sterile and secure environment.