Peritoneal Dialysis

Education

While many people go to a dialysis center for hemodialysis treatment, there is another option called Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), this is a possibility for many who choose to have dialysis at home. If you need dialysis and would prefer a more flexible form of treatment, your Nephrologist at San Antonio Kidney can help you decide it this is an option for you.

PD is a type of dialysis that uses the lining of your abdomen, referred to as the peritoneal cavity, and a special cleaning solution called dialysate to remove waste and fluid from your blood.

Peritoneal dialysis may be an option for you because of its flexibility, which allows you to do your own treatments at home or any other clean environment.

FAQs

About Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)is a type of dialysis that uses the lining of your abdomen, referred to as the peritoneal membrane, and a special cleaning solution called dialysate to remove waste and fluid from your blood. A PD catheter is needed, to allow the dialysate to be infused and removed from your abdominal cavity.

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis:

Continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) – Is a manual form of PD, with no machine, and uses gravity to accomplish the treatment. This option is flexible and adapts to your schedule during the day.

Continuous cycling PD (CCPD), also called Automated PD – Is a form of PD using a machine called a cycler at night while you sleep. This option allows you to have your days free. This is the most common method of PD as it allows freedom during the day.

Peritoneal dialysis does requires that a thin flexible catheter to be placed in your abdominal or peritoneal cavity, this allows specialized fluid to flow in, pull toxins across the peritoneal membrane, and when fluid is removed so are the toxins and any extra fluid that may have accumulated due to lack of adequate kidney function.

Your Nephrologist and nurse educator can explain this process in more detail.  If PD is a your choice, your abdominal membrane will be evaluated ahead of time to assure it will be able to be used for dialysis with a specialized ultra sound.

The goal is to have the catheter placed and healed for about a week or two prior to teaching you how to use it, so planning is key to prevent any emergent need for dialysis.

How often you do the PD treatments varies based on the type of PD you and your doctor decide would be best for you.

There are two types of PD:

  • Continuous cycler peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) also called automated: this type uses a small machine to cycle the fluid into your abdomen throughout the night as you sleep.
  • Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) also manual: requires you do three or 4 treatments a day which take about 30 minutes each but no machine is required and you do not wake up during the night to do a treatment.

If you need dialysis and want to learn more about peritoneal dialysis, ask your doctor or schedule an education class with one of our nurse educators.

Your Nephrogist at San Antonio Kidney will go over all of your treatment options and help guide and assess if Peritoneal Dialysis is a good treatment option for you.

If you have been diagnosed with chronic disease and want to work, PD may be your choice as it offers flexible schedule. Home dialysis is also beneficial for patients want their dialysis treatments to interfere as little as possible with their daily life and want to maintain a healthy lifestyle since it is done in the comfort of your own home.

Overall, home dialysis can provide you with the convenience and freedom of taking your treatments on your schedule and giving you the lifesaving treatment you need. Check with your San Antonio Kidney nephrologist to see if this is an option for you.

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