Their primary function is to filter nutrients and extra fluid and dispose of the toxins and other unnecessary elements. Elements which, over time, would accumulate in your body and make you very ill.
Since you have one kidney, it is working far harder than normal and these check-ups are to make sure that it is functioning normally. In the case of a kidney donor, both the patient and the donor will be monitored to make sure that each kidney continues to function normally.
You can imagine that since your single kidney is working twice as hard, it really needs to have a break every so often to reduce the risk of it failing completely.
This is where dialysis is used.
Basically you are admitted as an out-patient or day patient - you normally do not have to stay overnight. You are hooked up to a machine that gently cycles your blood through a filtration system in much the same way that your kidney filters things.
I'm sure that you are already on a restricted list of things that you can eat or drink.
It's an artificial way of removing the toxins where a machine does the work and all you have to do is rest.
Dialysis is commonly used for patients who are already in renal failure but doctors have discovered that preventative dialysis can take the strain off a kidney and allow it to rest in an attempt to prevent renal failure.
Your best bet is to talk to your doctor or renal specialist and ask these questions. Ask them to explain it in easy terms if it seems all too medical and scientific. They should show you the machine as well so you know what to expect.
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