DialysisWhat is it and why do we need it?

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What is dialysis?A little history of

dialysis

What do the kidneys do? Who needs dialysis?

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A little history . . . .• The first dialysis machine was made by Willem

Johan Kolff.• The first machines, made during World War II,

used everyday materials such as sausage skins, orange juice cans, and washing machines.

Kolff• Kolff was in danger as he was developing the

dialysis machine.• The first dialysis machines were not as effective

as was hoped. None of Kolff’s first fifteen patients lived, but their lives were extended by several days which gave him hope.

• In 1945, he successfully treated a patient.• Kolff donated his five dialysis machines to hospitals around the world after the war.

Dialysis today• Dialysis machines continued to improve.• Dr. Belding Scribner developed a method that

allowed dialysis machines to also help people that have chronic end stage renal disease. His device, the Scribner Shunt was the first step to today’s methods.

• Today patients may go to a dialysis center or perform dialysis at home.

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What is dialysis?

• In medicine, a treatment that does some of the things done by healthy kidneys.

What does dialysis do?

• When your kidneys fail, dialysis keeps your body in balance by:o removing waste, salt and extra watero keeping a safe level of chemicals, such

as potassium and sodium, in your bloodo helping to control blood pressure

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The Kidneys• Most people have two kidneys• They are located on either side of the spine, just

below the rib cage.• Each one is about the size of your fist.• They are shaped like kidney beans.• They are connected to your bladder.

Your kidneys:• Make urine• Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood• Control your body’s chemical balance• Help to control blood pressure• Help keep your bones healthy• Help you make red blood cells

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Who needs dialysis?

• People who have chronic kidney disease (CKD)• People who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

o Their overall kidney function is so poor that it threatens health and survival.

• People waiting for a kidney transplant.

Statistics • One in ten American adults have some level of

CKD.• Approximately 25% of people 65 and over have

CKD.• Approximately 0.5 % of people 20 – 64 have CKD.

Statistics

The incident rate of ESRD has leveled off since 2001.

Statistics

ESRD are more than 3 times higher for African Americans than for Caucasions.

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What questions do you have?