Dialysis is a medical treatment that performs the functions of the kidneys when they are not working properly. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis involves removing blood from the body, running it through a machine that filters out excess waste and fluids, and then returning the blood to the body. Hemodialysis is typically done three times a week in a dialysis center, and each treatment takes about three to four hours.

Peritoneal dialysis involves using the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum) to filter out excess waste and fluids. A sterile solution is inserted into the abdomen through a tube, and the solution absorbs waste and fluids from the blood vessels in the peritoneum. The solution is then drained out of the abdomen, taking the waste and excess fluids with it. Peritoneal dialysis can be done at home, and the treatment can be done several times a day.

Dialysis is typically used for people with kidney failure, which can be caused by a variety of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. It is not a cure for kidney failure, but it can help to extend the lives of people with this condition.