About Home Hemodialysis
Home hemodialysis (HHD) is a lot like in-center hemodialysis, but you perform your treatments at home with the help of a care partner, or solo per doctor’s order. The HHD machine is a smaller, user-friendly machine that cleans toxins from your blood. There are many potential benefits to dialyzing with HHD, such as not having to leave your home for treatment, greater ability to travel and shorter recovery time between treatments.
Your Life on HHD
You create your schedule
One of the biggest potential benefits of dialyzing at home is having a more flexible schedule. Depending on the HHD schedule you and your doctor decide on, you may choose a treatment schedule that lets you participate in more of your favorite activities such as spending time with family, working or doing hobbies. While it may take some time to adjust to a new treatment and lifestyle, the good news is that many HHD patients see an improved quality of life.
The potential benefits of more frequent dialysis
Hemodialysis is defined as 3-times-per-week therapy, but a nephrologist may prescribe more frequent treatments for patients with specific clinical needs.
You may experience the following benefits from more frequent dialysis:
Clinical benefits
Shorter recovery times between treatments1
Less stress on your heart2
Increased chance of transplant4
Better blood pressure control6
Lifestyle benefits
Fewer dietary restrictions
Improved sleep3
More energy5
The prescribing physician will determine the required treatment frequency based on medical necessity. Although home hemodialysis is often prescribed with a more frequent schedule, the physician must evaluate the individual clinical needs of each patient and consider both the potential benefits and risks. While there could be potential quality of life and physiological benefits to more frequent dialysis, there is also risk of a possible increase in vascular access procedures and the potential for hypotension during dialysis. More frequent use of vascular access may result in infections and other access-related complications. Other potential risks associated to more frequent dialysis include solute imbalance and patient/care partner burden.
HHD Patient Story
Hear why Lindsay chose home hemodialysis and how it changed her life.