Chronic kidney disease can be concerning, especially when it progresses to the point that patients require dialysis. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment that serves as a substitute for kidney function, removing waste products and excess fluids.
There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. If you are in the bumpy ride of choosing the right type of treatment, this article is for you. Let’s explore the key differences between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis so that you can make informed decisions about your kidney care.
Dialysis: What is It?
Our kidneys have a very important role in our bodies – they filter out waste products, excess water, and other toxins from our blood. But sometimes, the kidneys can’t do their job well due to illness or injury. That’s where dialysis comes in.
Dialysis is a process that cleans our blood, just like our kidneys would if they were working correctly. It removes all the waste products and extra fluid and keeps the right amount of salts and other chemicals our body needs. This helps our body keep everything in balance, which is vital for our health.
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are the two main types of dialysis. Both have the same goal – to clean your blood – but they do it differently.
Overview of Both Types of Dialysis
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis is a process that uses a machine called a hemodialyzer or dialysis machine to clean blood. It is like using an artificial kidney outside your body.
This procedure is typically done at a dialysis center but can also be performed at home with proper training and equipment.
Preparation for Hemodialysis
Before you can begin hemodialysis, you’ll need to have minor surgery to create an access point for your blood to be drawn out and returned. There are three types of access: arteriovenous (AV) fistula, AV graft, and vascular access catheter.
An AV fistula is the gold standard for access. It’s created by connecting an artery directly to a vein, usually in your arm. This procedure allows the blood to flow to the dialyzer quickly and efficiently.
AV graft uses a graft to connect the artery and vein, while vascular access catheters involve placing a catheter into a vein in your chest, leg, or neck for temporary access.
How Does Hemodialysis Work?
A thin needle is inserted into a vein in your arm during hemodialysis. This needle is connected to a tube that carries blood to a dialyzer machine. The dialyzer is filled with a special dialysate, which helps remove waste and excess substances from your blood.
As blood travels through the dialyzer, unwanted toxins and extra fluid move across a thin membrane into the dialysate. The cleaned blood is then returned to the body through another tube.
This entire procedure usually takes about three to four hours on average and needs to be done three times a week.
Complications of Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis is an invasive procedure and can come with some complications, such as anemia, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, and infections.
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is a process that cleans your blood of toxins and excess fluid using a part of your body called the peritoneum, which is a thin membrane lining your abdomen. With peritoneal dialysis, this lining acts as a natural filter, much like your kidneys would if they were functioning correctly.
How Does Peritoneal Dialysis Work?
The process begins with a minor surgical procedure to insert a soft plastic tube, called a catheter, into your abdomen. This catheter is an access point for the dialysis solution, a special fluid that removes waste and excess substances from your blood.
During treatment, the dialysis solution is drained into the abdominal cavity through the catheter. As it sits there for several hours, waste products and excess fluids pass from the blood across the peritoneal membrane into the dialysis solution.
This used solution is then drained and replaced with fresh solution, completing one “exchange.”
Types of Peritoneal Dialysis
There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD).
CAPD is a manual process in which the patient performs the exchanges themselves, usually four to five times a day.
APD uses a cycler machine to perform the exchanges, typically while the patient sleeps at night.
Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis
People who undergo peritoneal dialysis are at higher risk for peritonitis, an infection in which bacteria get inside the abdomen, causing abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Some people also experience hernia, a condition in which an organ-like small intestine pokes through abdominal muscles.
Dialysis in Sherman, TX
Navigating your way through kidney disease can be challenging, but you’re not alone. At Carrus Health Rehabilitation Hospital, we’re committed to helping you manage your condition and maintain a high quality of life. We offer both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis treatments designed to fit your lifestyle and personal needs.
To learn more about us or to set up a consultation, contact us today at (903) 870-2600 or send us a message on our Contact Us page. We look forward to serving you!
