A dialysis access is a site on a person's body created so that blood or other fluids can be removed, filtered, and returned to the body during dialysis. Dialysis is a process that performs the work of healthy kidneys for people who have kidney failure. Before dialysis can begin, the doctor has to create a dialysis...

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that helps filter waste products from the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. The two main types of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane (dialyzer) to filter wastes and remove extra fluid from the blood. It is...

Watch the personal story of someone who's living better with dialysis.

Guides through decision about what type of dialysis to have for kidney failure. Explains the two basic types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Discusses the decision about when to start dialysis. Includes what kidney failure is, the treatment for it, and reasons why you might or might not want to start dialysis. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Discusses peritoneal dialysis. Covers having a catheter and using dialysate solution. Discusses hemodialysis. Looks at what to expect after treatment, how well it works, and risks.

Peritoneal dialysis uses a natural filter inside your body-the lining of your belly, called the peritoneal membrane-to remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. It also works to restore the normal balance of certain minerals in the blood (electrolytes). The dialysis fluid fills the belly and pulls out extra minerals...

Dialysis removes urea and other waste products from the blood. To find out how well dialysis is working, you will have blood tests that look at the level of urea in your blood. Usually these tests are done once a month, at the start of your session...

Guides through decision to stop kidney dialysis for kidney failure. Covers key factors in decision. Covers benefits and risks. Discusses what happens after dialysis is stopped. Offers interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that helps filter waste products from the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) uses a membrane in the abdomen (the peritoneal membrane) as a natural filter to clear wastes and extra fluid from the body and to keep chemical levels in the body...

Any type of dialysis access has some risk of failure. So it's important to always protect your access and be alert for signs of clotting or infection. Call your doctor right away about any signs of trouble. Make a habit of talking with your dialysis nurses and doctor about how well your access is doing. If your dialysis...

Guides through decision whether to start kidney dialysis for kidney failure. Covers key factors in decision. Covers benefits and risks. Offers interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Dialysis is a mechanical process that performs the work of healthy kidneys. Hemodialysis uses a human-made membrane (dialyzer) to remove wastes and extra fluid from the blood. It also restores the proper balance of certain minerals in the blood (electrolytes). The fluid used to filter or clean the blood is called...

Dialysis is a mechanical process that partly does the work that healthy kidneys would do. Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane (dialyzer) to filter wastes, remove extra fluid from the blood, restore the proper balance of chemicals in the blood, and eliminate extra fluid (edema) from the body. Before hemodialysis...

Discusses chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure), which means your kidneys don't work the way they should. Discusses dialysis. Covers treating diabetes and high blood pressure, which cause most cases of chronic kidney disease.

Discusses diabetic nephropathy, which is kidney disease or damage caused by diabetes. Covers causes and symptoms. Discusses how it is diagnosed and treatment options, including medicines, diet, and dialysis. Offers home treatment tips.

Discusses acute kidney injury (which used to be called acute renal failure). It means your kidneys suddenly stop working normally. Includes prerenal acute kidney injury. Covers causes like kidney or liver disease. Includes symptoms like little urine (oliguria) when you urinate. Covers dialysis.

Discusses process of hemodialysis when chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury cause kidneys to lose ability to remove waste and extra fluid. Covers fistulas and grafts. Looks at what to expect after treatment. Discusses peritoneal dialysis.

The Medicare hospice benefit covers care related to a terminal illness. Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older. It's also for some people younger than 65 who have disabilities. And it's for people with long-term (chronic) kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant. It's...

A postvaccination test for immunity to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended only if you: Have an impaired immune system. This can be caused by many things, such as infection with HIV or the use of medicines to prevent organ rejection. Are having dialysis for kidney failure. Received the hepatitis B vaccine in the...

Kidney failure caused by chronic kidney disease occurs when kidney damage is so severe that a person needs dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. Kidney failure often occurs after kidney damage has been present for 10 years or more. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney failure...

Medicare is health insurance that the United States government provides for people ages 65 and older. It also covers some people younger than 65 who have disabilities and people who have long-term (chronic) kidney failure who need dialysis or a transplant. Medicare helps pay for most hospital services and doctor visits...

What is end-stage renal disease? End-stage renal disease means that your kidneys may no longer be able to keep you alive. When your kidneys get to the point where they can no longer remove waste, you may need dialysis or a new kidney. When you understand your options, you can make the choice that's best for you...

Includes info on urine tests and urinary tract infections in children, teens, and adults. Also has links to stress incontinence and kidney stone info.