Peritoneal dialysis is done to cleanse the blood inside your body using the lining of your own stomach. A soft plastic tube is put surgically inside your belly and dialysate, a washing fluid is pumped in and out of your belly in cycles.

There are two kinds of peritoneal dialysis:

• Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

• Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is done while you go about your normal activities such as working or school. A bag is attached to a tube attached to your belly and fluid flows into your belly using gravity. The bag is then removed and thrown away. Once the cleansing cycle is complete inside your belly, fluid is drained out and thrown away. Each exchange takes about 30 minutes and 3-4 times in a 24-hour period. The benefit of this is you can do it while going on your normal activity.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) is a similar process except instead of a bag, a machine(cycler) delivers and then drains the cleansing fluid for you. The treatment usually is done at night while you sleep.

Hemodialysis is a procedure done using a special filter that acts as an artificial kidney to clean your blood. For this type of dialysis, a doctor will access your blood vessels through minor surgery. The filter also called the dialyzer has two parts, one for your blood and the other for a washing fluid called dialysate. Waste products from your blood such as urea, creatinine, potassium, and extracellular fluid passes through a membrane into the washing fluid while clean blood is transported back into your body.

This procedure is typically performed 3 times a week for 4 hours in a dialysis center or Hospital. At home, it may be more frequent and shorter duration. Diet control is important in hemodialysis. In some cases, dialysis can cure acute kidney injury. To learn more, click here.