How often is hemodialysis usually done?

It is typically performed three times a week, with each session lasting about 3 to 5 hours.

What is the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?

Hemodialysis filters blood through an external machine, while peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the patient's own abdomen (peritoneum) as a natural filter.

Can you live a normal life on hemodialysis?

While it is a life-sustaining treatment, it requires a significant time commitment and dietary restrictions. Many patients can maintain an active life, but it is not equivalent to having normal kidney function.

Is 'hemodialysis' a countable noun?

It is generally treated as a non-count (uncountable) noun when referring to the treatment. You say 'he is on hemodialysis' or 'he undergoes hemodialysis,' not 'he undergoes a hemodialysis.' However, you can refer to individual 'hemodialysis sessions' or 'treatments.'

Is “hemodialysis” formal?

Hemodialysis is usually technical/medical in register.

How do you pronounce “hemodialysis”?

Hemodialysis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhiːməʊdaɪˈælɪsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiːmoʊdaɪˈæləsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

hemodialysis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˌhiːməʊdaɪˈælɪsɪs/US/ˌhiːmoʊdaɪˈæləsɪs/

Technical/Medical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “hemodialysis” mean?

A medical procedure in which a machine filters waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A medical procedure in which a machine filters waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.

The process of purifying blood by passing it through a semipermeable membrane, typically performed in sessions for patients with chronic kidney failure. It can also refer to the broader technological and clinical system supporting this life-sustaining treatment.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The spelling 'haemodialysis' is standard in British English, while 'hemodialysis' is standard in American English. The abbreviation 'HD' is used in both varieties.

Connotations

Identical technical connotations in both varieties. No difference in meaning or professional usage beyond spelling.

Frequency

The term is equally frequent in medical contexts in both regions. In layperson's speech, the shortened form 'dialysis' is far more common in both the UK and US.

Grammar

How to Use “hemodialysis” in a Sentence

The patient undergoes hemodialysis (three times a week).Hemodialysis is performed on the patient.The machine is used for hemodialysis.He is on hemodialysis.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

undergo hemodialysisrequire hemodialysisreceive hemodialysischronic hemodialysishemodialysis treatmenthemodialysis machinehemodialysis patienthemodialysis sessionhemodialysis catheterhemodialysis access

medium

start hemodialysiscontinue hemodialysisemerge from hemodialysishemodialysis unithemodialysis centrehemodialysis nursefrequency of hemodialysiscomplications of hemodialysis

weak

emergency hemodialysishome hemodialysisnocturnal hemodialysishemodialysis diettravel for hemodialysis

Examples

Examples of “hemodialysis” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The patient will be haemodialysed tomorrow.
They are haemodialysing him now.

American English

The patient will be hemodialyzed tomorrow.
They are hemodialyzing him now.

adverb

British English

The fluid was removed haemodialytically.

American English

The fluid was removed hemodialytically.

adjective

British English

haemodialysis-dependent
a pre-haemodialysis assessment

American English

hemodialysis-dependent
a pre-hemodialysis assessment

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. Might appear in pharmaceutical, medical device, or healthcare insurance reports.

Academic

Common in medical, biological, and nursing textbooks, journals, and research papers on nephrology.

Everyday

Very rare. Typically replaced by the simpler term 'dialysis' in conversations with non-specialists.

Technical

The primary and precise term used by healthcare professionals (nephrologists, dialysis nurses, technicians) in clinical notes, orders, and discussions.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “hemodialysis”

Strong

extracorporeal dialysisrenal replacement therapy (RRT)

Neutral

dialysisrenal dialysiskidney dialysisblood cleansing

Weak

filteringblood washing

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “hemodialysis”

normal kidney functionrenal sufficiency

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “hemodialysis”

Misspelling: 'hemodialisis', 'haemodialasis'. Incorrect plural: 'hemodialyses' (rare, the uncountable/non-plural usage is standard: 'sessions of hemodialysis'). Confusing it with 'peritoneal dialysis'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is typically performed three times a week, with each session lasting about 3 to 5 hours.
: Hemodialysis filters blood through an external machine, while peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the patient's own abdomen (peritoneum) as a natural filter.
: While it is a life-sustaining treatment, it requires a significant time commitment and dietary restrictions. Many patients can maintain an active life, but it is not equivalent to having normal kidney function.
: It is generally treated as a non-count (uncountable) noun when referring to the treatment. You say 'he is on hemodialysis' or 'he undergoes hemodialysis,' not 'he undergoes a hemodialysis.' However, you can refer to individual 'hemodialysis sessions' or 'treatments.'
: A medical procedure in which a machine filters waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
: Hemodialysis is usually technical/medical in register.
: Hemodialysis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhiːməʊdaɪˈælɪsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiːmoʊdaɪˈæləsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“Tied to a machine”
“On the dialysis clock”
“A life on dialysis”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: HEMO (blood) + DIA (through) + LYSIS (loosening/breaking apart). It's the process of 'breaking apart wastes from the blood as it passes through' a filter.

Conceptual Metaphor

The body's plumbing system (kidneys as filters) being replaced by an external, mechanical filtration plant.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Patients with end-stage renal disease typically require lifelong to remove waste from their bloodstream.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of hemodialysis?