What To Expect When Living On Dialysis

Understanding Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis cleans the blood outside the body rather than inside. A doctor will perform surgery and insert a catheter into the abdomen, creating the access point. The abdominal area, also referred to as the peritoneal cavity, will slowly fill with dialysate through the catheter and the blood will remain in the arteries and veins lining the abdomen. Any extra fluid and waste will be drawn out of the blood and into the dialysate.

Peritoneal dialysis has two major sub-categories: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). Instead of using a machine, the patient performs CAPD themselves, typically four to five times a day. Here, they insert a bag of dialysate into the catheter, where the dialysate will remain for four to five hours before it drains back into the bag and is thrown out. This process is called an exchange, and a new bag is required for each exchange. While this process is going on, patients can resume their regular activities. APD, on the other hand, uses a special machine called a cycler, where each exchange, or cycle, lasts approximately one and a half hours. Additionally, APD typically occurs at night while the patient is sleeping.

Continue reading to learn about the life expectancy for patients on dialysis.