How does peritoneal dialysis work?
In peritoneal dialysis, the blood is cleaned inside your body, not outside as with haemodialysis. The inner lining of abdomen acts as a natural filter. You will need a minor operation to place a catheter (soft plastic tube) in your abdomen (belly) for access.
During the treatment session, the abdominal cavity (called the peritoneal cavity) is gradually filled with dialysate (dialysis fluid) through the peritoneal dialysis catheter. Extra fluid and waste products are drawn out of the blood flowing in the arteries and veins (blood vessels) that line the peritoneal cavity and added to the dialysate fluid.
Types of peritoneal dialysis
There are two kinds of peritoneal dialysis:
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
- Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD): This is a “continuous,” machine-free and done while you go about your normal activities such as work or school. Treatment is done by placing approximately two quarts of cleansing fluid (dialysate) into your abdomen and later draining it. This is performed by hooking up a plastic bag of cleansing fluid to the tube in your belly. Plastic bag is raised till shoulder level, which causes gravity to pull the fluid into abdomen. Plastic bag is removed and thrown away when it is empty.
When an exchange session (putting in and draining out) is finished, the fluid (which now has wastes removed from your blood) is discarded. This whole process is usually done 3, 4 or 5 in a 24-hours time while you are awake and during normal activities. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes in each exchange. Some patients prefer to do their exchanges at mealtimes and at bedtime. - Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD): This is usually done at home using a special machine called a cycler, which delivers and then drains the cleansing fluid for you. Treatments are usually done at the night while you sleep.
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