Western dialysis essay

There are three types of access in haemodialysis. The three types are a fistula, which is made by joining an artery and a vein in the arm, a graft, which again, joins an artery and a vein, this time using a soft tube and the final type is a catheter which is a soft tube that is placed in a large vein.

Kidney dialysis is used in the event of kidney failure. This is very important as the kidney is the organ in the body which maintains water and ion balance and the level of urea in the body. If left untreated, kidney failure can lead to death.

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD). In CAPD, about two litres of cleansing fluid is put in a plastic bag and connected to the tube in the persons belly. The plastic bag is then raised two shoulder level, so that the fluid drains into the tube.

There are many benefits to peritoneal dialysis over haemodialysis. One is that the process is continuous meaning that extra fluid is controlled more easily. This may reduce stress on heart and blood vessels. Remember: This is just a sample from a fellow student.