Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. If you have a kidney failure, your kidneys are unable to filter blood due to which toxins and waste build up in your bloodstream. In such cases, dialysis does the work on behalf of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood. 

Why Do You Need a Dialysis? 

You may need dialysis, if you have: 

• High blood pressure. 

• Diabetes. 

• Lupus. 

• Other kidney diseases. 

What is Hemodialysis? 

During haemodialysis, a machine removes blood from your body by filtering through a dialyzer or artificial kidney and returns the purified blood to your body. This is a 5-hour long process that takes place in a hospital or dialysis centre at least 3 times/week. 

Before starting the procedure, the surgeon will perform a minor surgery to access your bloodstream. This will involve connecting an artery and vein in your arm and placing a catheter for temporary access. 

During the procedure, the dialysis machine will: 

• Remove blood from a needle in your arm. 

• Circulate the blood through a dialyzer filter which moves waste into a dialysis solution. 

• Returns filtered blood to your body through a different needle in your arm. 

• Monitor your blood pressure to adjust blood flow in your body. 

After the procedure, you may feel dizzy or nauseous, along with: 

• Chest pain. 

• Itchy skin. 

• Headache. 

• Muscle cramp. 

• Restless legs syndrome. 

What is Peritoneal Dialysis? 

During peritoneal dialysis, small blood vessels inside the peritoneum or abdominal lining filter blood with the help of a dialysis solution. This process may take place at home with a machine or manually. 

Three weeks before starting peritoneal dialysis, you will likely have a minor surgical procedure during which the surgeon will insert a catheter through your belly into the peritoneum. This catheter will stay in place permanently. 

During the peritoneal dialysis, the surgeon will: 

• Connect the catheter to one branch of a tube. One end of the tube is connected to a bag containing dialysis solution. This solution will flow through the tube, catheter, and into the peritoneal cavity. 

• Disconnect the tube and catheter after 10 minutes or when the bag is empty. 

• Cap off the catheter. 

• The dialysis solution absorbs waste and extra fluid for about 60-90 minutes. 

• Remove the cap from the catheter and use another branch of the tube to drain the fluid into a clean and empty bag. 

• Repeat the procedure up to 4 times/day. 

After the procedure, you may feel bloated, full, and a little uncomfortable.  

Renal angiography is an imaging test to look at the blood vessels in your kidneys. Your doctor can use it to look at the ballooning of a blood vessel, narrowing of a blood vessel, or blockages in a blood vessel.  

Why Do You Need a Renal Angiogram? 

You may need a renal angiogram if there are problems with blood vessels in your kidney, including: 

• Aneurysm or bulging of blood vessels. 

• Narrowing or blood vessel or stenosis. 

• Vasospasm or spasm of blood vessel. 

• Abnormal connection between artery and veins. 

• Blood clot. 

• Blockage. 

• Tumour. 

• Bleeding. 

What Happens During a Renal Angiogram?

During a renal angiogram, your surgeon will: 

• Ask you to lie on the X-ray table. 

• Insert an IV line in your arm or hand. 

• Connect to an EKG monitor to record the electrical activity of your heart during the test. 

• Check your pulses below the injection site for a contrast dye. 

• Shave the skin in an area of your groin and put a needle into an artery in your groin. 

• Insert a catheter into the artery and move it near the renal arteries. 

• Inject a contrast dye. 

• Take several X-ray pictures. 

• Remove the catheter and keep the artery from bleeding. 

What Happens After a Renal Angiogram? 

After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room to rest for some time. Depending on your condition, you may be required to stay in the hospital for a day. 

What Are the Risks Associated with a Renal Angiogram? 

Possible risks associated with the procedure include: 

• Injury to your nerves. 

• Bleeding. 

• Blood clot. 

• Swelling due to haematoma. 

• Infection. 

• Temporary kidney failure. 

Renal ultrasound or kidney ultrasound is an imaging test that allows your doctor to look into your kidneys and bladder. 

Why Do You Need a Renal Ultrasound? 

You may need a renal ultrasound, if you have: 

• Kidney stones. 

• Kidney infection. 

• Kidney tumour. 

• Kidney cysts. 

• Abscess. 

• Injury or trauma to the kidney. 

What Happens During a Renal Ultrasound?