Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is one method of home hemodialysis. With this treatment, a catheter (thin tube) is used to deliver sterile cleansing fluid into your abdomen. The fluid filters waste from your blood over a prescribed amount of time. Once this time is up, the fluid and filtered waste exit your body via the catheter.
There are two types of PD:
The primary difference between these two is the exchange schedules, or the process of filling the abdomen with the cleansing fluid and then draining the waste.
With CAPD, you can receive treatment at home or on the go. CAPD allows you to continue going about your day while the exchange is in process. Three to five exchanges may be required during the day with a longer one while you sleep, but the number of treatments is prescribed by your doctor and personalized to your needs.
This dialysis method, also called automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), uses a machine that automatically performs several exchanges while you sleep for 10 to 12 hours. In the morning, the sterile bag that collected the fluids gets removed.
Compared to traditional hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis is flexible enough to match your lifestyle and help you maintain independence. Continuous dialysis offers greater control of fluids, reducing the accumulation of potassium, sodium, and excess fluids—that means less stress on the heart and more flexible dietary guidelines for you.
Peritoneal dialysis may be the best option for you if you are looking for a comfortable, convenient treatment option, if your body does not respond well to the rapid changes in fluid levels common with traditional hemodialysis, or if you still have some residual kidney function.
Home hemodialysis (HHD) is a dialysis treatment that performs the work of your kidneys through a machine that filters your blood and carries excess waste and fluids from your body. Unlike in-center dialysis treatments, which typically require several scheduled trips to the center each week, HHD brings the treatment to you. Home hemodialysis is designed to fit your needs and offers three different exchange options:
Standard home hemodialysis is performed three times a week or every other day between 3 and 5 hours at a time. You are able to select the time of day you choose to perform dialysis to match your lifestyle.
Daily hemodialysis is a shorter 2.5 to 4 hour treatment 5 to 7 times each week. This options also offers the flexibility of being able to fit hemodialysis into your schedule on your terms.
Extended hours hemodialysis occurs 3 to 6 times per week for a longer period of time. Typically, this type of treatment is performed while you’re sleeping and does not interfere with your daily activities.
With home hemodialysis, you don’t have to worry about multiple inconvenient trips to a dialysis center every week. Instead, you can receive the same treatment in the comfort of your own home and at a time that works for you. In-clinic treatments can make you feel tired and worn out after several hours of dialysis. HHD patients have reported a higher quality of life with more energy and better sleep.
HHD could be an option for you if you have an active lifestyle, are willing to learn how to administer your own dialysis treatments with the help of a care partner, or have limited mobility. You may also need to dedicate part of your home to perform the treatment. Wherever and whenever you plan your dialysis, HHD is about creating a personalized plan that works for you.
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure for kidney failure patients in which a healthy kidney from another person is placed in your body. This kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or a living donor. It’s important to remember transplant is a treatment, not a cure, for chronic kidney disease.
With a kidney transplant, there are generally fewer restrictions on what you can eat or drink, though you should still maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. After a transplant, you should start to see your health and energy levels improve. You may be able to resume many of the activities you enjoyed before kidney disease.
While most kidney transplants are successful when an appropriate match is found, the length of time the transplant lasts varies. Some patients may need multiple transplants throughout their lives or need to seek other treatment options.
The transplant surgery itself also has associated risks. You may become more prone to infection. After the transplant, you will need to take antirejection medication that prevents your body from attacking the donated kidney. This medication may have side effects, but your care team will help you find the appropriate type and dose to manage these effects.
For many chronic kidney disease patients, a transplant may be the best treatment option. Patients of any age are eligible for transplant if they are deemed healthy enough for the surgery.
Your care team will conduct a thorough evaluation of your health and well-being to determine if you are a candidate for transplant. If you are a candidate, we will refer you for a transplant and follow up closely to ensure that a suitable match is found.
