Dialysis is a treatment that does few of the things done by healthy kidneys. It is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take charge of your body's needs.

When is dialysis needed?

You need dialysis while you develop end-stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 per cent of your kidney capacity and have a GFR of <15.

When your kidneys fail, dialysis holds your body in balance by:

• removing waste, salt and extra water to stop them from building up in the body

• keeping a regulated level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate

• assisting to control blood pressure

Is kidney failure permanent?

Usually, but not always. Some kinds of critical kidney failure get better after treatment. In some cases of critical kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a small- time until the kidneys get better. In chronic or end-stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not get better and you will require dialysis for the rest of your life. If your doctor says you are a candidate, you may want to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney.

Where is dialysis done?

Dialysis can be completed in a hospital, in a dialysis unit that is not part of a hospital, or at home. You and your doctor will decide which place is suitable, based on your medical condition and your wishes.

Are there different types of dialysis?

Yes, there are two kinds of dialysis --hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

What is hemodialysis?

In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney (hemodialyzer) is applied to separate waste and extra chemicals and fluid from your blood. To get your blood into the artificial kidney, the doctor requires to perform a path (entrance) into your blood vessels. This is done by trivial surgery to your arm or leg.

Sometimes, a path is formed by joining an artery to a vein under your skin to make a bigger blood vessel called a fistula.

However, if your blood vessels are not sufficient for a fistula, the doctor may use a soft plastic tube to connect an artery and a vein under your skin. This is called as graft.

Occasionally, an access is made by use of a narrow plastic tube, called a catheter, which is injected into a large vein in your neck. This type of access maybe for a brief while but is sometimes used for long-term treatment.

What is peritoneal dialysis and how does it work?

In this type of dialysis, your blood is cleansed inside your body. The doctor will do surgery to lay a plastic tube called a catheter into your abdomen (belly) to create an access. During the treatment, your abdominal area (called the peritoneal cavity) is gradually filled with dialysate through the catheter. The blood lingers in the arteries and veins that line your peritoneal cavity. Extra fluid and waste products are removed out of your blood and into the dialysate. There are two main types of

peritoneal dialysis. What are the different classes of peritoneal dialysis and how do they work?

There are several kinds of peritoneal dialysis but two main ones are:

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD).

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is the only type of peritoneal dialysis that is made without machines. You do this yourself, normally four or five times a day at home and/or at work. You put a bag of dialysate (about two quarts) into your peritoneal cavity over the catheter. The dialysate sojourns there for about four or five hours before it is drained back into the bag and thrown away. This is called as an exchange. You handle a new bag of dialysate each time you do an exchange. While the dialysate is in your peritoneal cavity, you can go around your usual activities at work, at school or at home.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) usually is done at home using a unique machine called a cycler. This is similar to CAPD except that a number of cycles (exchanges) happen. Each cycle usually lasts 1-1/2 hours and exchanges are completed throughout the night while you sleep.

Will dialysis aide cure the kidney disease?

No. Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will need to have dialysis therapies for your whole life unless you are able to get a kidney transplant.

Is dialysis uncomfortable?

You may have some trouble when the needles are put into your fistula or graft, but most patients have no other problems. The dialysis procedure itself is painless. However, some patients may have a dip in their blood pressure. If this happens, you may feel ill to your stomach, vomit, have a headache or cramps. With frequent medications, those problems usually go away.

How long has dialysis been available?

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have been made since the mid 1940s. Dialysis, as a conventional treatment, was begun in 1960 and is now a standard treatment all around the world. CAPD began in 1976. Thousands of patients have been helped by these treatments.

How long can you live on dialysis?

If your kidneys have failed, you will require to have dialysis treatments for your whole life unless you are able to receive a kidney transplant. Life expectancy on dialysis can vary depending on your other medical conditions and how well you obey your treatment plan. Average life expectancy on dialysis is 5-10 years, though, many patients have lived well on dialysis for 20 or even 30 years. Talk to your healthcare team about how to take charge of yourself and stay healthy on dialysis.

Is dialysis expensive?

Yes. Dialysis requires a lot of money. However, the federal government pays 80 per-cent of all dialysis charges for most patients. Private health insurance or state Medicaid programs also assist with the costs.

Do dialysis patients feel normal?

Many patients live sound lives except for the time needed for treatments. Dialysis usually makes you feel better because it helps solve many of the problems caused by kidney failure. You and your family will need time to get adapted to dialysis.

Do dialysis patients have to regulate their diets?

Yes. You may be on a restricted diet. You may not be ready to eat everything you like, and you may require to limit how much you drink. Your diet may vary according to the kind of dialysis. Can dialysis patients travel?

Yes. Dialysis centres are located in every part of India and in many foreign countries. The treatment is standardized. You must make an appointment for dialysis treatments at any center before you go. The staff at your centre may help you get the appointment.

Can dialysis patients proceed to work?

Many dialysis patients can go to work after they have gotten used to dialysis. If your job has  plenty of physical task (heavy lifting, digging, etc. ), you may need to get a different job.

We at Oceanic Pharma Pvt. Ltd. provide dialysis equipment to various hospitals for the dialysis patients. We have been supplying dialysis equipment on a regular basis. We are happy in striving to reduce the misery of dialysis patients by providing a helping hand. We plan to supply more equipment in the near future.