kidney failure

what? The body is unable to remove excess water and certain waste products (urea & excess salts) its also unable to control water and salt levels in the body. it rapidly leads to death.

how? It can be caused by diabete mellitus, hypertension or infection.

What? The use of a partially permeable membrane to filter the blood.

How? It removes wastes, excess salts and fluids from the blood by passing the blood over a dialysis membrane. The membrane is partially permeable and so allows the echange of substances between the blood and the dialysis fluid.

Why? it carries out the functions that the kidney would normally be responsible for.

What? Blood from a vein is pumped into a dialysis machine and wastes, excess fluids and salts are filtered out of the blood.

How? Blood from a vein is pumped into a machine that contains an artificial dialysis membrane. Heparin is added to avoid clotting and any bubbles are removed before the blood returns to the body. Usually performed 3 times a week at a clinic, but it can be carried out at home.

what? Dialysis fluid is pumped into the body cavity and exchange occurs across the abdominal membrane.

How? A surgeon implants a permenant tube in the abdomen. Dialysis solution is poured through the tube and fills the space between the abdominal wall and organs.Waste products and excess salts and fluid are filtered out of the blood via the abdominal membrane into the dialysis fluid. After several hours, the used solution is drained from the abdomen.

What? A donor kidney is implanted into the patient.

How? Kidney is implanted and attached to the blood supply and the bladder.

Why? The new kidney takes over from the old kidneys.