Dialysis refers to a treatment that performs some of the same things done by healthy kidneys. Dialysis is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body's needs.
When is dialysis needed?
You need dialysis when you develop end-stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function.
What does dialysis do?
Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps your body in balance. Dialysis does the following: