Dialysis

Dialysis is a treatment that removes extra fluid and waste products from your blood if your kidneys aren't working well enough.

Your kidneys act as filters for your body. They remove waste and extra fluid from your blood and get rid of it in your urine (wee). If your kidneys are not working properly, waste and fluid can build up in your blood. This can severely affect your health.

Dialysis is needed in cases of severe kidney failure.

Kidney disease can be short-term (acute kidney injury or disease) or lifelong (chronic kidney disease).

Acute kidney disease

Acute kidney disease happens when your kidneys do not work temporarily, for less than 3 months. This can happen suddenly due to a serious illness or accident. You may need dialysis treatment for a short period of time to help your kidneys recover. Many people can recover from acute kidney disease.

Chronic kidney failure

Chronic kidney (renal) failure is when your kidneys' ability to work is affected for more than 3 months. Dialysis is only usually needed when your kidneys are severely damaged. At this point, you may find it hard to manage your normal activities. You will need dialysis treatment for the rest of your life unless you have a kidney transplant or you choose renal supportive care instead.

The 2 main types of dialysis are haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Haemodialysis

Haemodialysis treatment uses a special machine called a 'dialyser'.

Access to a major blood vessel is needed for haemodialysis. You may have permanent access created via an arteriovenous (AV) fistula or graft in your arm or forearm, or a temporary line placed in your arm, neck, chest or leg. You will be connected to the dialyser through this access.

The dialyser filters the blood from your body and removes waste and extra fluid, before pumping it back into your body.

You will usually need to have haemodialysis 3 times a week. Each treatment lasts for 4 to 5 hours. You can also have more frequent treatments that take a shorter amount of time.

You can have haemodialysis at a special clinic or sometimes at home.

Both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have some possible complications. These include:

• infection at the access point 
• peritonitis (infection in the peritoneum)
• bleeding
• low blood pressure (hypotension)
• muscle cramps

Speak with your doctor about how to prevent and manage these complications. 

Starting dialysis can affect different aspects of your life. It can feel overwhelming and may lead to stress, anxiety or depression. Many people living with dialysis continue to live meaningful and active lives. 

While on dialysis, you may need to make some adjustments to your work and home life, including maintaining a healthy diet and fluid (liquid) intake. You can keep physically active, socially engaged and have intimate relationships. 

It is very important that you do not miss a dialysis session. 

Together with your doctor, you can decide which type of dialysis is best for you and your lifestyle. 

Call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 for advice and to get connected to local mental health services. Check the operating times. 

Renal supportive care is personalised care that helps to manage symptoms of kidney failure so that you can enjoy a good quality of life.

Supportive care is available to everyone with kidney failure. A care team that includes your general practitioner (GP), specialist doctors, nurses and allied health professionals will look after you. They will support you to manage:

• your medicines
• your diet
• symptoms such as pain, itch, and nausea
• decisions and planning for end-of-life care

Supportive care can also be an alternative to dialysis or kidney transplantation.

You might choose supportive care if you:

• do not want dialysis treatment
• cannot have dialysis treatment
• choose to stop dialysis treatment

Read more about coping with learning you have a terminal illness.

You can read more about kidney disease and dialysis on the Kidney Health Australia website (Opens in new tab).

Kidney Health Australia also provides a decision-making guide (Opens in new tab) to help you make decisions about your kidney treatment. 

You can call Kidney Health Australia on 1800 454 363 to get support around your kidney health.

Languages other than English

Kidney Health Australia has many factsheets (Opens in new tab) about your kidneys in different community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Kidney disease is more common amongst Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and Kidney Health Australia (Opens in new tab) has helpful fact sheets about kidney disease and keeping your kidneys healthy.