What is peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis uses a membrane inside your body (peritoneal membrane) as a filter. It clears wastes and extra fluid from your body and works to return electrolyte levels to normal. Unlike in-center hemodialysis, you don't need to travel to a dialysis center for your treatment. Instead, after being trained at a dialysis center, you will do your treatment at home on your own schedule. Peritoneal dialysis can often be done at night, while you sleep.

You will need to have a catheter placed in your belly (dialysis access) before you start dialysis. Placement is usually done 10 to 14 days before dialysis starts.

The process of doing peritoneal dialysis is called an exchange. You will usually complete 4 to 6 exchanges each day using these steps:

• Fill: Dialysis fluid enters your peritoneal cavity.
• Dwell: While the fluid is in your peritoneal cavity, extra fluid and waste travel across the peritoneal membrane into the dialysis fluid.
• Drain: After a few hours, the dialysis fluid is drained and replaced with new fluid.

There are different types of peritoneal dialysis:

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

You change the dialysis solution multiple times a day.

Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD).

It takes 8 to 12 hours and can be done while you sleep.

Discuss these treatment methods with your doctor to decide which one might work best for you.

Things to consider

• Peritoneal dialysis can be done at home or in any clean place. You may be able to do it while you sleep.
• You can do it by yourself. You don't have to rely on help from others.
• You can do it at the times you choose as long as you do the right number of treatments.
• It has to be done every day of the week.
• Some people find it hard to do all the required steps.
• It increases your chance for a serious infection of the lining of the belly (peritoneum).

There are different types of peritoneal dialysis. Discuss these treatment methods with your doctor to decide which one might work best for you:

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

During CAPD, the dialysate solution stays in your belly for about 4 to 6 hours. After this time, the solution is drained out of your belly. Your belly is then refilled with fresh solution. You need to change the solution several times a day.

Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD).

During CCPD, a machine automatically fills and drains the dialysate from your belly. This process takes about 8 to 12 hours, so you can do CCPD at night while you sleep.

Care of the catheter and access

• After the doctor creates your access, keep the bandage dry and clean. Change a dirty or bloody bandage.
• Keep your access area clean and dry. Check it every day for signs of infection.
• Always clean and dry your catheter and access area right away after you get wet.
• Always wash your hands before you touch the catheter.
• Fasten or tape the catheter to your body to keep it from catching on your clothes.
• Never use scissors or other sharp objects around your catheter.
• Do not use unapproved clamps on your catheter.
• Store your dialysis supplies in a cool, dry place.

Activity when you have an access

• Do not lift heavy objects.
• Do not swim or take a bath unless your doctor tells you it is okay.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) does not fully replace normal kidney function. It does not reverse chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. PD only provides up to 10% of normal kidney function. For this reason, it's important to take your medicines as instructed and follow your eating plan.

The most common complications from peritoneal dialysis include infection around the catheter site and infection of the lining of the abdominal wall (peritonitis). Less often, there may be problems related to the catheter. But most complications can be managed or prevented.

You may have mild back pain during peritoneal dialysis. Or you may feel like your abdomen is full.

Dialysis does the work of your kidneys when you have kidney failure. It filters wastes and removes extra fluid. And it works to restore the right balance of chemicals in the blood.

Peritoneal dialysis (say "pair-uh-tuh-NEE-uhl dy-AL-uh-sus") uses the lining of your belly to filter your blood. This lining is called the peritoneal membrane.

Before you can start this type of dialysis, a doctor has to make a dialysis access in your belly. This is the place where the fluid (dialysis solution) flows into and out of your body. This is most often done 10 to 14 days before dialysis starts.

You don't need to go to a dialysis center for peritoneal dialysis. Instead, you will do your own treatments at home or in any clean place. You may be able to do it when you sleep.

You can do peritoneal dialysis yourself or have a machine help you.

Peritoneal dialysis replaces the work of the kidneys after complications of kidney failure develop.

How the exchange is done, how often you do it, and how long it takes depend on the type of peritoneal dialysis you use.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)

• You attach the bag of fluid to the catheter and let it flow into your belly. The fluid stays in your belly for about 4 to 6 hours. During this time you can move around and do most of your normal activities.
• After this time, you drain the fluid out of your belly. You then put fresh fluid in your belly.
• You need to do this about 4 times a day.
• It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to drain and refill your belly.

Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD)

• A machine fills and drains the fluid from your belly.
• This process takes about 8 to 12 hours. This means you can do CCPD at night while you sleep.