Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis uses the inside lining of your own abdomen(peritoneum) which acts as a natural filter. The kidney doctor prescribes the treatment time and solution used. You will need to have a catheter placed in your belly by a surgeon.
A fluid called dialysate is put into the peritoneum using a catheter and stays for a period of time to clean your blood of waste products, to keep safe levels of certain chemicals in your body, and to assist with blood pressure control to keep you healthy. These exchanges are done several times a day. You or your care partner will do these treatments in your home doing manual exchanges(Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis CAPD) or using a machine while you sleep (Continuous Cleansing Peritoneal Dialysis CCPD).
There are two types of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD):
1. Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis- CAPD This treatment is performed by you with a care partner following training. Once you have completed the training, your doctor and home training nurse will verify you are able to perform treatments at home and are comfortable in performing what you have learned.
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- Requires daily treatments, 4-5 exchanges of dialysis each day, and possibly an additional exchange while you sleep. This is determined by your doctor based on lab work, kidney function, and how well your abdomen works as a filter.
- Requires strict adherence to the procedures you are taught to prevent infection
- Does not require a machine
- Requires storage for dialysate and other supplies
- You will need to have a catheter place in your belly by a surgeon
- No needles are required for this dialysis option
- You will have to go to the dialysis center for monthly lab work and to meet with your dialysis team.
- Because you have more hours of treatment each week (daily exchanges), this treatment modality is the most like your natural kidney function; second only to transplant
- You may have reduced dialysis-related symptoms like headaches, nausea, restless legs, and cramping
- You may require fewer medications for blood pressure and phosphorus control
- You may have less fluid and diet restrictions
- Most patients report having more energy and feeling better
2. Continuous Cleansing Peritoneal Dialysis- CCPD or APD- Automated Peritoneal Dialysis This treatment is performed by you in your home or with a care partner following training. Once you have completed the training, including the use of a machine called a “cycler”, your doctor and home training nurse will verify you are able to perform treatments at home and are comfortable in performing what you have learned.
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- Treatments are done each night lasting between 6-10 hours while you sleep. Treatment times are prescribed by your kidney doctor based on lab work, kidney function, and how well the peritoneum works as a natural filter
- You have more freedom during the day to spend with family and friends, school work, travel, or hobbies
- You will need to have a catheter place in your belly by a surgeon
- No needles are required for this dialysis option
- You will have to go to the dialysis center for monthly lab work and to meet with your dialysis team.
- Because you have more hours of treatment each week and this treatment modality is much gentler it is much like your natural kidney function
- You may have reduced dialysis-related symptoms like headaches, nausea, restless legs, and cramping
- You may require fewer medications for blood pressure and phosphorus control
- You may have less fluid and diet restrictions
- Most patients report having have more energy and feeling better