Peritoneal Dialysis
This is another procedure that replaces the work of the kidneys. It removes wastes and chemicals form the body. This type of dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen to filter the blood. This lining is called the peritoneal membrane.
A cleansing solution, called dialysate, travels through a special tube into the abdomen. Fluid, wastes, and chemicals pass from tiny blood vessels in the peritoneal membrane into the dialysate. After several hours, the dialysate gets drained from the abdomen, taking the wastes from the blood with it. Then the abdomen is filled with fresh dialysate and the cleaning process begins again.
There are at least three types of peritoneal dialysis: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD); and intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD).
CAPD is the most common type of peritoneal dialysis. It needs no machine and can be done in any clean, well-lit place. The dialysate passes from a plastic bag through a catheter and into the abdomen. The dialysate stays in the abdomen with the catheter sealed. After several hours, the solution is drained back into the bag.
CCPD is like CAPD except that a machine which connects to the catheter automatically fills and drains the dialysate from the abdomen. The machine does this at night when the patient is asleep.
IPD uses the same type of machine as CCPD to add and drain the dialysate. IPD can be done at home but is usually done in the hospital. IPD treatments take longer than CCPD.
There are pros and cons to each type of peritoneal dialysis which should be discussed with your doctor. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are treatments that try to replace the failed kidneys. These treatments help the patient feel better and live longer, but they are not cures for end-stage renal disease. (also see Health Profile: Kidney Dialysis).
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