The only two treatment options available for end-stage renal disease are transplantation and dialysis. Considering the differences in the treatment options, if not thoroughly educated on treatment options for end-stage renal disease a person may select a therapy that is not the best suited for their lifestyle. During hemodialysis, waste products are removed from the blood through a needle inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or leg. The blood is then pumped through a machine containing a filtering system called a dialyzer that cleanses the blood and returns the cleansed blood back to the body. On average people undergoing hemodialysis must visit a hospital or dialysis center three times a week for a four-hour dialysis session.
Home hemodialysis is an option for some patients.
The person undergoes dialysis usually only a three times a week. Does not require a permanently placed catheter in the abdomen. Since hemodialysis is administered multiple times a week, people often feel tired or nauseated between sessions due to the build-up of toxins in the bloodstream. There are diet and fluid restrictions. If hemodialysis is administered at a clinic, the person must travel to a center for dialysis sessions, requiring a fixed treatment schedule based on the center's scheduling.