The two main variations of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The only alternative to dialysis in cases of end-stage renal disease is a kidney transplant. There usually is a long wait for an organ, and transplant might not be an option in some cases, such as poor general health. Physicians determine if an individual on dialysis is a candidate for a kidney transplant.

Dialysis is most often used for chronic kidney failure but is also used in hospitals to treat some cases of acute kidney failure due to such factors as poisoning, infection, trauma or obstruction. Depending on its cause and course, acute kidney failure can sometimes be resolved instead with treatments such as antibiotics, diuretics and intravenous infusion of potassium exchange resin and other substances.

The best course for at-risk people, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure or lupus, is to prevent kidney disease and the need for dialysis through early and careful control and monitoring. Prevention may include special testing by the physician for protein in the urine (a microalbuminuria test), other tests of kidney function such as glomerular filtration rate and waste product testing, management of blood pressure and glucose (blood sugar), diet and exercise, and possibly medication such as ACE inhibitors or other antihypertensives.