There's a new option tonight for kidney dialysis patients in Savannah.  They're calling it nocturnal dialysis.  It's a slow-flow dialysis throughout the night, taking eight hours as opposed to the normal four hour cycle.

We're told it is easier on the patients' bodies and allows them to lead normal lives during the day, because they do the dialysis overnight while they sleep.  NEWS 3'S Tristan Tully checked out the new facility and has more on what patients think about the over-night option.

Martin Luther King, and yes, that's his real name, is no stranger to dialysis.  He's been on it for more than 25 years due to lupus and high blood pressure.  But now, there is a new alternative that could get him feeling better than ever.

Martin Luther King, Dialysis Patient:
"You feel so bad when you get off of it the only thing most of the time you want to do is lay down but with this one, when you have a slower pump speed it won't be much strain on your body so hard."

What he's talking about is the new nocturnal slow-flow dialysis at the Fresenius Medical Care Coastal Dialysis Center.  The process takes place over night while you sleep, doing in eight hours what normal dialysis does in four so it isn't as harsh on your body

Patricia Bryant, Fresenius Medical Care Coastal Dialysis Center:
"We know that patients sometimes want to continue life, work and school, and they may have other responsibilities at home, so we decided to start a nocturnal program so that they can sleep at night and still have as normal day as possible."

The nocturnal treatment starts at 9:00 at night and goes until 6:00am so folks can be up and ready for the day, giving patients like Martin fours hours back in their day to do whatever they want with

Martin Luther King, Dialysis Patient:
“Basically find me a little part time job to do or whatever but basically, with the extra hours I have in the day time with the whole day to myself, I'd start off helping my mom and my family."

The man with the famous name also tells us with the extra time, he'd like to volunteer and help with other dialysis patients.

If you are interested in the nocturnal slow-flow dialysis at Fresenius Medical Care Coastal Dialysis Center, give them a call at 912-232-2691.