1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Dialysis

Dialysis Nephrology in Delaware

 

Dialysis is a treatment for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. When your kidneys fail to function properly, your body can no longer filter blood the way it should. Dialysis for the kidneys helps replace this vital function. Dialysis filters and purifies the blood using a special machine to eradicate wastes built up in the body. Kidney dialysis takes on your kidneys’ job, removing excess fluid and waste products from your body.

Hemodialysis-nephrology-consultants-delaware

What Are Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis?
 

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is the most common type of kidney dialysis and a widely used dialysis procedure. It cleanses the blood by circulating it through an artificial kidney (dialyzer filter) and then returns the cleaned blood to your body. 

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis involves cleaning the blood inside your body and is another effective dialysis procedure for the kidneys. Your dialysis doctor will start by performing surgery to place a catheter (a plastic tube) into your abdomen. Then, they will slowly fill the peritoneal cavity (abdominal area) with a weak solution called dialysate through the catheter.

Wastes and extra fluid are then pulled out of the blood into the dialysate. Finally, the solution with wastes is drained from your abdomen, leaving only clean fluid behind.

Home Dialysis

 

Home hemodialysis usually requires three, four-hour sessions each week or nightly sessions that last about 6 to 8 hours while the dialysis patient sleeps. Nocturnal dialysis at home has proven safe and effective for people of all ages, including children as young as six years old. 

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) can be done at home or while traveling. You will need access to running water and a place to store used supplies safely until proper disposal. Some people perform peritoneal dialysis around the clock, while others do it only during daytime hours to closely monitor the dialysis procedure and identify any issues early.

Our Dialysis Procedure in Delaware

nephrology-consultants-pa-dialysis

For hemodialysis, our doctors place a needle in your arm, which is attached to a tube. Blood is passed along the tube and then onto an external machine, which filters it before passing it back into your arm through another tube. This dialysis treatment procedure is carried out three days a week at our kidney dialysis center. Each session lasts about four hours. Patients looking for dialysis procedures in Delaware receive personalized care under experienced dialysis nephrology specialists.

For peritoneal dialysis, our nephrology associates make an incision near your belly button and insert a thin tube called a catheter into the peritoneal cavity. This setup is left in place permanently. Fluid is pumped through the catheter into the cavity, allowing blood vessels lining the cavity to draw excess fluid and waste into the dialysis solution. After a few hours, our kidney care consultants drain the used fluid and replace it with fresh fluid. The process of changing the fluid is repeated about four times a day and takes around 30-40 minutes.

dr-manish-garg-md-founder-nephrology-consultants-delaware

Expert Dialysis Nephrology Care by Dr. Manish Garg
 

Dialysis nephrology care at Nephrology Consultants, P.A., is led by Dr. Manish Garg, MD, FACP, FASN, the practice’s founder and a board-certified nephrologist serving patients across Delaware.

Dr. Garg is board-certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine, licensed in Delaware and Maryland, and completed his Internal Medicine residency at St. Luke’s - Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University. He brings extensive expertise in dialysis nephrology and kidney disease management.

As a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Garg has participated in multiple clinical research studies, delivering coordinated, evidence-based dialysis care across our Delaware locations.

Comprehensive Dialysis Support Services

 

We affiliate with certified dialysis centers and refer you to licensed, trained nurses and dialysis staff, including social workers (LCSW) and dialysis-registered dietitians. Our team helps guide you through insurance, medication, and transportation needs and assists you in maintaining a specific diet tailored to your kidney condition. This coordinated approach ensures complete dialysis nephrology care for patients seeking kidney dialysis near them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nephrology is the branch of medicine that focuses on kidney health, including the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure, high blood pressure related to the kidneys, and electrolyte disorders. A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in managing these conditions.

Dialysis is a treatment used when the kidneys are no longer able to effectively filter waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood. Dialysis performs the function of the kidneys by removing waste products and maintaining proper fluid and chemical balance in the body. It is commonly recommended for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or advanced kidney failure.


 

While dialysis is a life-saving treatment, some patients may experience side effects, especially when starting dialysis. Common side effects of dialysis may include:

  • Fatigue or weakness after treatment
  • Low blood pressure during or after dialysis
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea or headaches
  • Dry or itchy skin
  • Risk of infection at the access site


Not all patients experience these effects, and many side effects can be managed with proper dialysis care, medication adjustments, and dietary guidance from a dialysis specialist and renal dietitian.

The time period for dialysis depends on the type of dialysis and the patient’s medical condition.

  • Hemodialysis is typically performed three times a week, with each session lasting about 3 to 4 hours.
  • Peritoneal dialysis is done daily and may involve multiple short exchanges during the day or overnight dialysis while sleeping.

Dialysis may be a long-term or lifelong treatment for patients with permanent kidney failure, unless they receive a kidney transplant. Your nephrologist will determine the most suitable dialysis schedule based on your individual health needs.

For people with kidney disease, certain foods can place extra strain on the kidneys. Common foods to limit or avoid include:

  • High-sodium foods such as processed foods, canned soups, and fast food
  • Potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes (depending on lab values)
  • High-phosphorus foods such as dairy products, cola drinks, and processed meats
  • Excess protein foods, especially red meat, if advised by your nephrologist
  • Packaged and processed snacks containing preservatives and additives
     

Appointment form