Staying on dialysis the full time

Dr. Domoto is a distinguished DaVita nephrologist, a lawyer and now guest author for DaVita.com. He explains the importance of staying on dialysis for the full treatment time. His easy-to-understand writing style has a lot of helpful information.

Vascular Access: Your lifeline to hemodialysis

You and your doctor should discuss and decide which access will be best for you. Learning about the different access types enables you to understand the pros and cons of each. You’ll also be able to have a more thorough conversation with your doctor since you are more familiar with your access options.

Common drugs prescribed for dialysis patients

Dr. Robert Lynn is an award-winning nephrologist for his work in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. He has written an article for DaVita.com about the medicines doctors prescribe for dialysis patients. Dr. Lynn believes it’s important for patients to understand what medicines they’re taking and why.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD): a home dialysis choice for people with kidney failure

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a form of home dialysis that allows people who need dialysis more freedom with their schedules. PD is a safe and effective way to remove toxins and extra fluid from the body when the kidneys are unable to do so. DaVita^® nephrologist, Dr. Mark Shapiro, talks about PD as a home dialysis option for those with end stage renal disease. Find out more about peritoneal dialysis to see if it may be the right dialysis choice for you.

Switching dialysis treatment

Are you doing peritoneal dialysis and wonder if you can switch to hemodialysis? Or are you on hemodialysis and curious if peritoneal dialysis would be right for you? Many people with end stage renal disease (ESRD) have thought about switching treatment programs, whether it was for medical or lifestyle needs. Learn more about switching dialysis treatments and decide whether or not making a change would be right for you.

At-home dialysis treatments

About peritoneal dialysis (PD)

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment for kidney failure patients, which allows dialysis to occur inside the body by infusing fluid into the abdomen. Most patients who choose PD perform their own treatments at home or at their workplace. Find out more about peritoneal dialysis and how it works.

Nocturnal hemodialysis

Nocturnal hemodialysis is a dialysis treatment option that people perform at night for approximately eight hours while they sleep. Currently, there are nearly equal numbers of people who perform nocturnal hemodialysis at home and in a center; however, more dialysis centers are now offering nocturnal dialysis as a treatment option.

Rope ladder and constant site or buttonhole techniques

To help keep a fistula healthy, there are two recommended methods of cannulation; the rope ladder technique and the buttonhole (BH) technique. Currently, the rope ladder technique is commonly used in dialysis centers, while the buttonhole technique is recommended for hemodialysis patients who self-cannulate. Learn about the ladder and buttonhole methods and which may be best for you.

What is hemodialysis?

Hemodialysis is a treatment for end stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, in which blood is removed from the body, filtered through an artificial kidney and then the cleaned blood is returned to the body. In the United States, hemodialysis is the most common treatment for people who have kidney failure. Learn how hemodialysis works and the advantages and disadvantages of this renal replacement therapy.

How long can an arteriovenous (AV) fistula last?

Remember 1972? It was a leap year. The Godfather won the Academy Award for best picture. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI. Medicare established the End Stage Renal Disease Program to pay for dialysis treatment for all Americans due to ethical issues. At the time there were 7,000 people on dialysis; today there are over 350,000. In 1972, four people, who now dialyze with DaVita, each had an arteriovenous (AV) fistula placed so they could start hemodialysis; and today all four still have their working AV fistulas.

What dialysis can and cannot do

When people hear dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure they sometimes think dialysis can do everything a healthy kidney can do. Learn what dialysis can and can’t do and how medications work with dialysis to replace healthy kidney function.

What happens if someone stops dialysis?

Every person with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has the right to stop or not start dialysis. Without dialysis or a kidney transplant, once a patient reaches complete kidney failure life can usually be maintained for anywhere from a few days to several weeks. For the patient, the decision not to dialyze should be an informed and voluntary choice. For family and friends of the person with kidney failure, the decision not to have treatment may be difficult to understand. However, with advance planning, patients can spend their last days how and where they choose.

What are my dialysis choices?

When people find out they need dialysis, they may not be aware that several types of dialysis are available to fit their health and lifestyle needs. If you just found out you need dialysis to treat kidney failure, or if you are on dialysis and would like to explore other modality options, learn more about the dialysis modalities and what each one may offer you.

In-center self care hemodialysis

In-center self care hemodialysis makes it possible for dialysis patients to be actively involved in their care. In center self-care hemodialysis empowers dialysis patients by giving them greater control of their care, increasing self esteem and improving quality of life. It can also serve as a smooth transition to home dialysis. Learn more to find out if in-center self care is right for you.

Dialyzer reuse for dialysis

If you are on hemodialysis, your dialysis center may resterilize its patients’ dialyzers. The dialyzer is a filter, often called the “artificial kidney,” which cleans the patient’s blood. Patients can opt to take part in their clinic’s reuse program by reusing their dialyzers for a number of times determined by their doctor or until the dialyzer is not efficient, whichever comes first. It is a safe, common procedure used in many hemodialysis facilities in the United States. Learn about reuse, how it is done and if it is right for you.

Your first day on in-center hemodialysis

Your first day of dialysis can be a bit scary if you don’t know exactly what will happen. When you walk into your dialysis center for the first time, it may make you feel more comfortable if you know what to expect from your dialysis treatment and your health care team. Calm your nerves by learning what you can generally expect on your first day of treatment.

How dry weight and fluid gain affect dialysis patients

People on hemodialysis are weighed before and after each dialysis treatment. This is to record how much fluid was removed during the hemodialysis treatment. One goal of dialysis is to remove the fluid gained since the last time at dialysis and to get the patient back to their dry weight. Find out how dry weight is determined, how fluid gain between hemodialysis treatments can affect how a person feels during dialysis and in-between treatments and what can be done to help you feel your best.

Arteriovenous (AV) fistula — the gold standard hemodialysis access

The arteriovenous (AV) fistula is considered the “gold standard” vascular access among hemodialysis practitioners, nephrologists (kidney doctors) and kidney disease advocacy groups. Find out about all the access choices and learn what a fistula is, why there is a program called “Fistula First” promoting the use of fistulas and how to care for one.

If I had kidney failure, which dialysis treatment would I choose?

Many health care professionals are asked by their chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, if they had kidney failure, which dialysis treatment would they choose? Dr. Robert Provenzano gives a summary of the various dialysis options kidney patients have, and tells which treatment he would choose if he faced kidney failure.

Taking care of your AV fistula

Arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the recommended access choice for people on hemodialysis. It is important to learn how to keep your fistula healthy and functional even though an AV fistula is not as prone to infection or complications compared to other hemodialysis accesses. Read more on how to care for your AV fistula.