How Long Does Dialysis Take?

Dialysis is a treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease. End-stage kidney disease can occur in a patient who has chronically had issues with their kidneys or had abrupt kidney failure. The dialysis treatment option involves removing the blood from the patient’s body, filtering it through the dialysis machine, and then placing the freshly filtered blood back into the body. By filtering the blood, it removes the various wastes and toxins that build up from normal bodily functions. Typically, the kidney is responsible for this function, but when a patient has end-stage kidney disease, the dialysis machine is used to serve as a de-facto kidney. When a provider recommends dialysis treatment, it is common to have questions regarding what the treatment option is, how it works, and for how long. For information regarding how the dialysis machine and process work, check out Cassena Kidney Care. In today’s article, we will discuss how long dialysis takes.

How long does dialysis take?

When scheduling your first dialysis treatment, it is normal to feel anxious about what it entails. You may have questions surrounding the length of time for the treatment, where exactly to go for it, and what exactly is going to happen. At Cassena Kidney Care, we strive to answer all of these questions and make this a seamless process. For information regarding where to go and how the process works, click here. Regarding the length of the dialysis treatment, each treatment lasts roughly 3-4 hours. However, it is important to note that you will likely feel severely fatigued following the treatment, so this is an important consideration when scheduling your treatment.

How often will I have dialysis?

The exact treatment plan will vary depending on your provider, and the extent of your disease. The standard treatment is to come in 3 times weekly, but this is a discussion that you will have with your provider prior to beginning treatment. 

How long will I be on dialysis? Can dialysis be temporary?

As mentioned above, dialysis is a treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Therefore, dialysis is typically reserved for patients who have undergone other treatment options, and whose kidneys are unfortunately not responding to treatment. The only permanent treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease is a kidney transplant. In order to be eligible for a kidney transplant, there is an extensive process that involves being placed on a transplant list, and working with a team of providers to find a suitable match. If a kidney transplant successfully occurs, then dialysis is stopped. However, until a kidney donor is found, and then a kidney transplant is completed, you will have to remain on dialysis indefinitely. Exceptions to this are patients whose kidneys abruptly stop working. In these situations, while uncommon, dialysis may be recommended. Once the cause is identified, and the kidneys begin working again, it is possible that dialysis may be stopped. However, until that point, you will need to be on dialysis.

Why Cassena Kidney Care?

At Cassena Kidney Care, we are committed to serving the patient and making this process feel comfortable. We strive to not only provide exceptional service but also keep the patient informed about exactly what is going on throughout their treatment. Contact us with any questions, and learn more about how we can help you today!