Dialysis is a medical procedure used to artificially perform the functions of the kidneys when they are impaired or failing. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products and excess fluids from the blood, as well as regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure. When the kidneys are unable to perform these functions adequately, due to conditions such as kidney failure, dialysis becomes necessary to help maintain the body's internal environment. There are two main types of dialysis: Hemodialysis : This involves filtering the blood using a machine called a hemodialyzer. During hemodialysis, blood is drawn from the body through a catheter or a surgically created access point, pumped through the dialyzer where it's filtered to remove waste products and excess fluids, and then returned to the body. This process typically takes place at a specialized dialysis center and is usually done several times a week. Peritoneal dialysis : In this method, the peritoneum, a memb...