Dialysis is a treatment that performs the same functions as your kidneys, filtering waste and fluids from your blood. You may require dialysis if your kidneys are no longer able to perform these life-saving functions.
This can be very daunting to someone that is new to dialysis, but relax this treatment has been around for a very long time.
The first scientific descriptions of these procedures dates back to 1854 from the Scottish chemist Thomas Graham, who became known as the “Father of Dialysis.”
In 1913 the process was successfully tested on animals and then German doctor, Georg Haas, performed the first experimental dialysis treatments involving humans. It is believed that Haas dialyzed the first patient with kidney failure at the University of Giessen in the summer of 1924.
In the fall of 1945, Willem Kolff, of the Netherlands, used a rotating drum kidney he had developed to perform a week-long dialysis treatment on a 67-year-old patient who had been admitted to hospital with acute kidney failure. The patient was subsequently discharged with normal kidney function.
Since then there have been many advancements and perfections of the dialysis treatment and it is very safe and routine, we are happy to discuss your options with you.