Is hemodialysis the same as dialysis?

Hemodialysis and dialysis are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference in their meanings.

Dialysis is a broader term that refers to the process of removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. There are different types of dialysis, with hemodialysis being the most common.

In hemodialysis, blood is pumped out of the body into a dialysis machine, where it passes through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane allows waste products and excess fluid to pass through, while keeping essential components of the blood, such as red blood cells and proteins, inside the body. The clean blood is then pumped back into the body.

Other types of dialysis include peritoneal dialysis, in which the peritoneal cavity is used as the membrane for exchange of waste products and fluid, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which is used in intensive care settings to provide continuous dialysis.

When someone is undergoing dialysis, the specific type of dialysis they are receiving is usually specified, for example, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.