Kidney Dialysis
The normal kidney helps remove waste and excess fluid; filters the blood,
keeping some compounds, removing others; and helps regulate blood pressure, red
blood cells and the amount of certain nutrients in the body such as calcium,
phosphorus and potassium. Kidneys can become so damaged from disease or injury
that they can no longer clean waste products from the blood. Kidney disease is
progressive and there may be no physical symptoms until late in the disease, but
urine and blood tests can show early changes in kidney function, and progression
may be slowed with medical care, medications and diet.
Causes of kidney failure include diabetes, high blood pressure, inherited
conditions such as polycystic kidney disease, some autoimmune diseases such as
lupus and scleroderma, and other less known diseases. Some prescription and over
the counter medications can cause kidney disease, as can infections such as
strep throat.
At St. Mary's Kidney Dialysis Unit, we offer hemodialysis. In hemodialysis a
special access to the patients' blood is created, and their blood flows through
tubes to a special filter (artificial kidney), which cleans the blood and
removes excess fluid. The blood is then pumped back into the body. The treatment
takes about 3-4 hours, 3 times a week. During the treatment the patient may
read, sleep or watch TV. The dialysis patients follow a special renal diet and
are very restricted on the amount of liquid they may have, as their failed
kidneys make very little or no urine. Therefore, most of what the patients drink
must be removed by the dialysis treatment, along with the waste products their
own failed kidneys can no longer remove.
The new Unit provides easier access for KDU patients. The larger windows, new
wall and floor coverings create a brighter, better patient setting. Patients
have sectioned off treatment areas as well as their own TV complete with
headsets. St. Mary's KDU will dialyze patients who are traveling through this
area, if prior arrangements have been made.
Our Kidney Dialysis Unit is located on the third floor of the North Building.
Phone: 605-224-3410.
