Our Sponsors

 

 

Dialysis

Dialysis filters the waste products and extra fluid from the body. There are 2 types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal Dialysis

Hemodialysis

During hemodialysis the blood is pumped into a machine in which a membrane filters out waste products and extra fluids before returning it to the body. This process takes from 2 to 4 hours. Hemodialysis can be performed in a hospital, a clinic or at home; it is usually  done 3 times a week.

A diet that controls the intake of fluids, potassium, salt and phosphorus is necessary for the hemodialysis care recipient. A medical professional should be consulted to plan a diet individual to the care recipient.

Peritoneal Dialysis

In peritoneal dialysis the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneal membrane) is used to filter out waste and extra fluid from the body. Peritoneal dialysis can be done without a machine. It requires a tube called a catheter to be permanently placed in the abdomen. A solution called dialysate is sent to the peritoneal membrane through the catheter. The membrane filters out fluids and waste, drawing them into the dialysate. After a few hours the dialysate is drained back out of the body, taking the waste substances with it. There are 3 types of peritoneal dialysis.

- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD): This is the most common type of PD and is done without a machine. The process takes 30 to 40 minutes and is performed 4 to 6 times a day.
- Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD): CCPD takes 10 to 12 hours; it is performed at night while the care recipient sleeps.
- Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (IPD): IPD uses the same machine as CCPD but is done in a hospital; it can take 36 to 48 hours per week. One treatment may take as long as 24 hours.