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Dialysis

Definitions and Meaning in English

1. A medical procedure that removes waste products and excess substances from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
2. The process of separating particles in a solution based on their size, often used in scientific and industrial applications.

History and Origin

The word “dialysis” comes from the Greek dialysis, meaning “separation” or “dissolution,” derived from dia- (through) and lysis (loosening or breaking). The term was first used in the early 19th century in scientific contexts before it was adopted in the medical field to describe the process of removing waste from the blood. The modern medical technique emerged as a vital treatment for kidney failure.

Detailed Explanation

In a medical context, dialysis refers to a procedure that helps perform the function of the kidneys by removing waste, toxins, and excess fluids from the blood, which the kidneys can no longer filter. This is typically required for people with kidney failure or severe kidney disease. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis, where blood is filtered outside the body using a machine, and peritoneal dialysis, where the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) filters the blood. Dialysis can be a temporary solution or a long-term treatment, depending on the patient’s condition.

Dialysis also has applications in other fields, particularly in chemistry and biology, where it is used to separate molecules based on their size and solubility, often using a semipermeable membrane.

Example Sentences

1. The patient has been on dialysis for several years due to kidney failure.
2. Dialysis treatments are often required three times a week for patients with chronic kidney disease.
3. Hemodialysis is a common form of dialysis used to filter the blood outside the body.
4. The doctor recommended dialysis to help manage the buildup of toxins in the patient’s blood.
5. Peritoneal dialysis is a less invasive option that can be done at home.
6. She felt much better after the dialysis session removed the excess fluid from her body.
7. Dialysis machines are designed to remove waste and excess substances from the blood.
8. The hospital’s dialysis unit is equipped with the latest technology for treating kidney patients.
9. The patient underwent dialysis for several hours, which helped stabilize their condition.

Synonyms with Short Explanation

1. Filtration – The process of removing impurities from a liquid or gas.
2. Purification – The act of removing contaminants from a substance.
3. Detoxification – The process of removing toxins or harmful substances from the body.
4. Blood cleansing – A term used to describe the removal of waste and toxins from the bloodstream.
5. Renal replacement therapy – A medical treatment, including dialysis, used to replace kidney function.

Related Words with Short Explanation

1. Kidney failure – A condition where the kidneys can no longer perform their functions, often requiring dialysis.
2. Hemodialysis – A type of dialysis that involves filtering the blood outside the body.
3. Peritoneal dialysis – A type of dialysis that uses the abdominal lining to filter blood.
4. Toxins – Harmful substances in the blood that dialysis helps to remove.
5. Semipermeable membrane – A material that allows certain molecules to pass through, used in dialysis to filter waste.

More Matches with Short Explanation

1. Dialyzer – A machine or device used in hemodialysis to filter the blood.
2. Transplantation – The surgical replacement of a failing organ, often a kidney, as an alternative to dialysis.
3. Renal dialysis – Another term for dialysis that specifically refers to kidney-related treatments.
4. Fluid removal – A process involved in dialysis, where excess fluid is extracted from the body.
5. Blood purification – A general term for processes, including dialysis, that cleanse the blood of harmful substances.

Antonyms

1. Kidney function
2. Renal health
3. Self-regulation
4. Natural filtration
5. Homeostasis