Slide show: A step-by-step look at hemodialysis
Remove waste from your blood
Dialysis is an artificial way to remove harmful waste and excess salt and fluid from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do so on their own. Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis.
During hemodialysis, a needle is inserted into your arm through a special access point. Your blood is then directed through the needle and special tubing to a machine called a dialyzer, which filters your blood a few ounces at a time. The filtered blood returns to your body through another needle.
Hemodialysis helps you live, work and enjoy life despite failing kidneys.
Slide show: A step-by-step look at hemodialysis
, Diseases and conditions, Kidneys and urinary system, Kidney failure, End stage kidney failure
October 27, 2006
© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Terms of use.