What Is Dialysis? A Dialysis Nurse Explains What Really Happens
Nurse Magda | Certified Nephrology Nurse
5,593 views
What is a dialysis treament? In this video I talk about how the dialysis treatment is performed. If you have questions about choosing a dialysis treatment download my FREE Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dialysis Treatment: https://utopiahcc.com/choosing-dialys...
If you or someone you love has been told dialysis may be in your future, this video explains what dialysis is, how dialysis works, what really happens during dialysis treatment, the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, whether dialysis hurts, and what you can realistically expect.
As a dialysis nurse with nearly 30 years of experience, I'll explain:
• What dialysis is
• How dialysis works
• What a dialysis machine and dialyzer do
• Hemodialysis explained
• Peritoneal dialysis explained
• Does dialysis hurt?
• Will I be tired after dialysis?
• What patients and caregivers can realistically expect
Whether you're preparing for dialysis treatment, learning about hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, or supporting someone with kidney failure, my goal is to make kidney disease and dialysis easier to understand without confusing medical jargon.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:29 What is dialysis?
01:41 What dialysis actually does
02:53 What is a dialyzer?
03:19 Kidney Lab Companion
03:49 Hemodialysis explained
04:26 Peritoneal dialysis explained
05:53 Does dialysis hurt?
06:43 Will I be tired after dialysis?
07:53 Final thoughts
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) BASED ON THIS VIDEO:
Q: What is the main difference between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis?
A: Hemodialysis uses an external machine and an artificial kidney filter (dialyzer) to clean your blood, usually three times a week. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is done at home, often overnight, and uses the natural lining of your abdomen (peritoneal membrane) to filter waste using a special fluid.
Q: Is the actual dialysis treatment painful?
A: No, the cleaning process itself is completely painless and you will not feel it happening. Most patients spend their sessions reading, watching TV, or napping. There may be brief discomfort when needles are inserted for hemodialysis, but the team works to make it as comfortable as possible.
Q: Why do patients feel so exhausted or "washed out" after a session?
A: Feeling tired after a treatment is a normal physical response. Your body is rapidly adjusting to the removal of accumulated waste products and extra fluid. It is a sign of the physical work your body just went through, not laziness, and energy levels typically improve as you adjust to the routine.
FREE Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dialysis Treatment: https://utopiahcc.com/choosing-dialys...
If this video was helpful, I'd love to have you subscribe. Every week I share practical videos to help patients, caregivers, and future dialysis professionals better understand kidney disease and dialysis.
Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/c/Utopiacaree...
Resources
Kidney Lab Companion Guide: https://utopiahcc.com/kidneylabs
New to kidney disease? Start here 🎥:
CKD Stages Made Simple: The 5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease Exp...
CKD Diet Explained: Chronic Kidney Disease Diet: What to Eat a...
Kidney-Related Anemia Explained: Signs of Kidney Disease: Anemia Is One of ...
👋 ABOUT OUR CHANNEL
Welcome! I am a nephrology nurse and dialysis instructor with nearly three decades of experience. My mission on this channel is to act as your translator—turning complex kidney disease and chronic health concepts into simple, practical explanations anyone can understand. Subscribe for evidence-based guides to help you navigate your lab results without fear.
🔔 Subscribe to the channel: utopiacaree..
💼 Visit our website: https://utopiahcc.com
#dialysis #kidneydisease #hemodialysis #peritonealdialysis #kidneyhealth
⚠️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided on this channel and in this description is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always double-check physical labels on any monitoring equipment and consult with your primary healthcare provider or nephrologist regarding your personal health trends, lab values, or medical conditions.
18 Comments
What Is Dialysis? A Dialysis Nurse Explains What Really Happens
Nurse Magda | Certified Nephrology Nurse
5,593 views
What is a dialysis treament? In this video I talk about how the dialysis treatment is performed. If you have questions about choosing a dialysis treatment download my FREE Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dialysis Treatment: https://utopiahcc.com/choosing-dialys...
If you or someone you love has been told dialysis may be in your future, this video explains what dialysis is, how dialysis works, what really happens during dialysis treatment, the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, whether dialysis hurts, and what you can realistically expect.
As a dialysis nurse with nearly 30 years of experience, I'll explain:
• What dialysis is
• How dialysis works
• What a dialysis machine and dialyzer do
• Hemodialysis explained
• Peritoneal dialysis explained
• Does dialysis hurt?
• Will I be tired after dialysis?
• What patients and caregivers can realistically expect
Whether you're preparing for dialysis treatment, learning about hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, or supporting someone with kidney failure, my goal is to make kidney disease and dialysis easier to understand without confusing medical jargon.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:29 What is dialysis?
01:41 What dialysis actually does
02:53 What is a dialyzer?
03:19 Kidney Lab Companion
03:49 Hemodialysis explained
04:26 Peritoneal dialysis explained
05:53 Does dialysis hurt?
06:43 Will I be tired after dialysis?
07:53 Final thoughts
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) BASED ON THIS VIDEO:
Q: What is the main difference between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis?
A: Hemodialysis uses an external machine and an artificial kidney filter (dialyzer) to clean your blood, usually three times a week. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is done at home, often overnight, and uses the natural lining of your abdomen (peritoneal membrane) to filter waste using a special fluid.
Q: Is the actual dialysis treatment painful?
A: No, the cleaning process itself is completely painless and you will not feel it happening. Most patients spend their sessions reading, watching TV, or napping. There may be brief discomfort when needles are inserted for hemodialysis, but the team works to make it as comfortable as possible.
Q: Why do patients feel so exhausted or "washed out" after a session?
A: Feeling tired after a treatment is a normal physical response. Your body is rapidly adjusting to the removal of accumulated waste products and extra fluid. It is a sign of the physical work your body just went through, not laziness, and energy levels typically improve as you adjust to the routine.
FREE Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dialysis Treatment: https://utopiahcc.com/choosing-dialys...
If this video was helpful, I'd love to have you subscribe. Every week I share practical videos to help patients, caregivers, and future dialysis professionals better understand kidney disease and dialysis.
Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/c/Utopiacaree...
Resources
Kidney Lab Companion Guide: https://utopiahcc.com/kidneylabs
New to kidney disease? Start here 🎥:
CKD Stages Made Simple: The 5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease Exp...
CKD Diet Explained: Chronic Kidney Disease Diet: What to Eat a...
Kidney-Related Anemia Explained: Signs of Kidney Disease: Anemia Is One of ...
👋 ABOUT OUR CHANNEL
Welcome! I am a nephrology nurse and dialysis instructor with nearly three decades of experience. My mission on this channel is to act as your translator—turning complex kidney disease and chronic health concepts into simple, practical explanations anyone can understand. Subscribe for evidence-based guides to help you navigate your lab results without fear.
🔔 Subscribe to the channel: utopiacaree..
💼 Visit our website: https://utopiahcc.com
#dialysis #kidneydisease #hemodialysis #peritonealdialysis #kidneyhealth
⚠️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided on this channel and in this description is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always double-check physical labels on any monitoring equipment and consult with your primary healthcare provider or nephrologist regarding your personal health trends, lab values, or medical conditions.
REE Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dialysis Treatment: https://utopiahcc.com/choosing-dialysis-treatment
I would like to know, what other questions do you have about Dialysis? Let me know below 👇