When your kidneys are healthy, they quietly and efficiently clean your blood, remove waste, balance fluids, and keep your internal system stable. But when the kidneys stop functioning properly, harmful toxins begin to build up in the blood. This is where dialysis becomes life-saving.
In simple words, dialysis acts like an artificial kidney, helping your body remove waste products, extra fluid, and harmful toxins when your real kidneys can no longer do it.
What Exactly Is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a medical procedure that filters and purifies blood using a machine or a natural membrane. It replicates essential kidney functions, such as removing urea, creatinine, and toxins, eliminating extra water, balancing minerals, and helping maintain blood pressure.
Dialysis becomes necessary when kidney function drops below 10–15%, or when symptoms of kidney failure appear. (Source: Toofan Express)
Why Do Kidneys Fail?
Kidney failure can result from diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, severe infections, and certain medications. When kidneys can no longer filter blood, toxins accumulate, leading to swelling, fatigue, nausea, confusion, and serious complications.
How Your Body Removes Waste During Dialysis
There are two main types of dialysis, and both remove waste in different ways.
Hemodialysis: Cleaning Blood Through a Machine
Blood is taken out through a tube connected to the arm, enters a dialyzer (artificial kidney), passes through filters that remove toxins, and clean blood returns to the body. It is generally done 3 times a week, each session lasting 3–4 hours.
Peritoneal Dialysis: Using Your Belly Lining to Filter Blood
A special fluid called dialysate is filled into the abdomen. The peritoneum acts as a natural filter. Waste moves into the fluid, which is later drained and replaced. This can be performed at home.
What Waste Products Does Dialysis Remove?
| Waste Product | Source | Why It’s Harmful |
| Urea | Protein breakdown | Causes nausea, fatigue |
| Creatinine | Muscle metabolism | Indicates kidney damage |
| Potassium | Food intake | Affects heart rhythm |
| Excess Water | Fluids consumed | Leads to swelling, BP issues |
Do Dialysis Patients Go to the Washroom Like Normal?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and the answer is different for urine and stool.
Do Dialysis Patients Still Urinate?
Yes, some do — but it depends on remaining kidney function.
If a patient still has partial kidney activity, they may continue producing urine, though the amount decreases over time. Some patients have no urine output at all in complete kidney failure.
Important: Dialysis does not produce urine; it only removes waste from the blood.
What About Stool (Bowel Movements)?
All dialysis patients pass stool normally because the digestive system—not the kidneys—controls bowel movements. Constipation or hard stools may occur due to diet, medications, or fluid limits.
Is Dialysis a Cure?
No. Dialysis treats the effects of kidney failure but does not cure it. It keeps patients stable until recovery, transplant, or long-term dialysis continues.
Who Needs Dialysis?
Dialysis is recommended when GFR drops below 10–15%, toxin levels rise, or symptoms like swelling, vomiting, confusion, and breathlessness appear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is dialysis painful?
No. Only needle insertion may cause minor discomfort.
2. How long can a person survive on dialysis?
Many patients live 10–20 years or more with good care.
3. Do kidneys start working again after dialysis?
In acute kidney injury, recovery is possible. Chronic failure rarely improves.
4. Can dialysis be done at home?
Yes. Peritoneal dialysis and some forms of home hemodialysis are available.
5. Is dialysis done daily?
Hemodialysis: 3 times a week. Peritoneal dialysis: usually daily.
6. Can a person skip a dialysis session?
No. Skipping is dangerous and can cause fluid overload and toxin buildup.
7. Can I eat normally on dialysis?
Diet restrictions include low potassium, low sodium, and fluid limits.
8. Do dialysis patients urinate?
Some continue to urinate; others may not, depending on kidney function.
9. Do dialysis patients pass stool normally?
Yes. Stool is part of digestion, not kidney filtration.
10. Is kidney transplant better than dialysis?
Yes, it offers better long-term quality of life.
11. Can dialysis remove all toxins?
No, but it removes enough to keep the body stable.
12. Can dialysis patients travel?
Yes, with advance planning and arranging sessions at another center.
Final Conclusion: Dialysis Keeps Life Going When Kidneys Cannot
Dialysis performs life-saving work by cleaning blood, removing toxins, and balancing fluids when kidneys fail. While it is not a cure, it allows patients to live meaningful, active lives with proper care, medical guidance, and discipline.