Dialysis

If chronic diseases or toxins stop your kidneys from working, dialysis takes over the job, filtering your blood and protecting your health so you can continue to enjoy life. As an expert nephrologist and partner for Wayne County Dialysis Center, Deon Middlebrook, MD, in Detroit, Michigan, guides you through dialysis and serves as your kidney care specialist, creating dialysis access and providing comprehensive care for every aspect of your kidney disease. Call his practice, Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC, today or use online booking to request an appointment and start your dialysis treatment.

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a treatment that takes over for your kidneys when they’re too damaged to work properly. The procedure removes excess fluid and toxic wastes from your blood and maintains safe blood levels of minerals like potassium, sodium, and calcium.

Most people need dialysis when chronic kidney disease progresses to kidney failure. However, dialysis also removes toxins in cases of acute poisoning.

What type of dialysis might I receive?

Dr. Middlebrook works closely with you to determine which type of dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) is best for your overall health and personal preference.

Hemodialysis

During hemodialysis, your provider inserts two needles into blood vessels in your arm. One needle sends blood through a tube to the dialysis machine (dialyzer). Your blood is filtered as it passes through the machine, and then it travels through another tube and re-enters your body via the second needle.

Peritoneal dialysis

If you use peritoneal dialysis, you use a catheter to fill your abdomen with a dialysate solution that absorbs wastes from your blood. The fluid carries the waste away when you drain it from your abdomen.

What happens before dialysis?

As an interventional nephrologist, Dr. Middlebrook provides comprehensive kidney care, including kidney biopsies and creating and maintaining access to blood vessels for dialysis.

For hemodialysis access, he creates access by connecting a vein and artery in your arm. This makes it easier to insert the needles and also enlarges and reinforces the vein.

If you choose peritoneal dialysis, Dr. Middlebrook places a catheter inside your abdomen and connects it to a small opening in your skin. The catheter stays in place, giving you a tube for running dialysate in and out of your abdomen.

What other services are available through comprehensive dialysis care?

Dr. Middlebrook manages all of your pre- and post-dialysis needs, including the ongoing management of your dialysis access (to ensure blood clots and other problems don’t develop), medication management, and dietary counseling.

Everyone with kidney disease follows a specialized diet that reduces the stress on their kidneys and slows kidney damage. You also need to fine-tune your diet and make additional changes after starting dialysis. For example, you may need to restrict soft foods and foods that are high in certain nutrients.

To learn more about dialysis and get expert kidney care, call Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC or connect online to request an appointment today.