Welcome To KIDNEY DISEASE CONSULTANTS

Living With Dialysis

One in three American Adults are at risk for developing chronic Kidney Disease.
26 million American have kidney disease and most do not know it
High blood pressure and diabetes are the top 2 leading causes of kidney disease
Anyone at risk should have simple urine and blood tests done
Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States
Men with the disease are more likely to progress to failure than women
Black Americans are 3 times more likely to experience kidney failure than white.
Once kidneys fail it is over, dialysis or transplant are the only treatment
Everyday 13 people die in the United States waiting for a new kidney
What is Dialysis ?

Dialysis is a system that works as an artificial kidney for those whose kidneys are no longer functioning.

There are 2 types of dialysis hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Most patients receive hemodialysis treatment. This includes their blood being circulated outside of their body and cleaned through a machine, then returned to the patient. Most patients receive a fistula which is inserted by a small surgery either in the leg or arm. If no vessels are suitable for the fistula then a small tube called a vascular graft to a joint or artery and vein under the skin is done.

Blood drains into the dialysis machine to be cleaned.

A small amount of patients can do peritoneal dialysis which uses the patient’s own peritoneal membrane as a filter and does not require constant transport to a dialysis center for the patient. Once the system is set up the patient is just monitored. This is also referred to as Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). The main benefit to this type of dialysis is freedom but some patients get infections and must change to the hemodialysis. This process is likely not as affective on large people due to the treatment involving the stomach.

For more information: Download our book “Getting Ready for Dialysis” or visit www.kidney.org