Treatment Options
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
Peritoneal dialysis, or PD, involves cleansing the blood through the abdominal lining.
PD treatments utilize the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) and a specialized solution (dialysate) to eliminate toxins and excess fluid from the blood.
At-home PD treatments can be conducted during the day or night, using either a machine or manual methods.
Training and Support:
- People opt for home peritoneal dialysis to achieve the longest, healthiest life possible with the freedom to live on their terms.
- Comprehensive training begins with a knowledgeable and compassionate dialysis nurse at a home dialysis education center, ensuring a thorough understanding of the dialysis process and equipment operation.
- In about two to four weeks, most individuals feel confident in performing self-administered treatments at home.
Supplies and Lifestyle:
- Monthly deliveries of PD supplies allow you to adhere to a schedule tailored to your preferences and doctor’s recommendations.
- Many PD users schedule treatments at night, providing freedom during the day for work, school, or other activities.
24/7 Support:
- Monthly meetings with your home dialysis care team, including the dialysis nurse, social worker, and dietitian, ensure optimal health. Additionally, a dialysis nurse is available 24/7 by phone for any inquiries.
Is PD Right for You?
Consider PD if you:
- Are on the transplant waitlist or scheduled for a transplant.
- Desire the ability to work or attend school.
- Enjoy traveling.
- Dislike needles.
- Seek increased energy.
- Prefer private treatment settings.
- Want more dietary freedom.
- Have sufficient space at home for supply storage.
How PD Works:
- Needle-free dialysis through the abdomen, using the peritoneum and dialysate solution to remove waste and extra fluid from the blood.
- PD treatments, known as exchanges, involve the inflow and outflow of a special fluid in the abdomen, effectively removing toxins and fluids.
Science behind PD:
- Through osmosis and diffusion, toxins move across the semipermeable membrane from the blood into the special fluid in the peritoneum during a treatment exchange.
Two PD Treatment Options:
Manual PD:
- Hand-performed exchanges, typically 4 times a day (Continuous Ambulatory PD or CAPD).
- Each manual exchange takes 30-45 minutes.
Machine PD:
- Exchanges performed by a machine at night while you sleep (Continuous Cycling PD or CCPD).
