What is home peritoneal dialysis?
Home peritoneal dialysis is a treatment for kidney damage that removes waste and excess fluid from your blood when your kidneys can’t efficiently do their job. It filters your blood through a cleansing liquid that flows through a catheter in part of your abdomen.
Your abdominal lining helps filter and remove toxic materials. Fluid containing filtered waste eventually flows out of your abdomen into a bag, which you can discard.
Is home peritoneal dialysis right for me?
Your Kidney360 provider works with you to develop a home peritoneal dialysis treatment plan to meet your personalized needs. They review your medical history and symptoms, complete a physical exam, and may recommend you undergo a urine test, blood test, ultrasound, kidney biopsy, or another diagnostic test.
You might have kidney damage because of high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammation, or polycystic kidney disease. Peritoneal dialysis can be a good option if you want to eat a less restrictive diet, gain independence and flexibility, and maintain optimal kidney function.
How should I prepare for home peritoneal dialysis?
Follow Kidney360 provider instructions to prepare for home peritoneal dialysis. The team can insert a catheter that carries dialysate solution in and out of your abdomen. They complete this procedure under local or general anesthesia and insert the tube near your belly button. You can usually begin home peritoneal dialysis within a month.
What happens during the procedure?
Before home peritoneal dialysis, your Kidney360 provider trains you to use home dialysis equipment properly. During treatment, dialysate flows into your abdomen and remains there for several hours.
Dextrose in the solution filters wastes from your blood via tiny blood vessels in your abdominal cavity lining. Afterward, the solution containing waste drains into a collection bag.
Your provider may recommend you complete several fluid exchanges during the day with a longer dwell time (dialysate solution remains in your abdomen) at night.
You might opt for home peritoneal dialysis using an automated machine while you sleep. It fills your abdomen with dialysate before draining it into a bag, which you can empty in the morning. You're free to go about a normal routine during the day.
Is home peritoneal dialysis working properly?
To determine if home peritoneal dialysis treatment is working properly, your Kidney360 provider might recommend you undergo tests to evaluate blood and dialysis solution samples.
If the treatment isn’t effective, your doctor may recommend increasing the number of dialysate exchanges, the amount of dialysate you use, or your dialysate’s dextrose concentration. Follow diet recommendations and take all medications as directed by your specialist.
To learn more about home peritoneal dialysis and find out if it’s right for you, book an appointment with Kidney360 by phone or schedule online today.
