Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is an alternative method for blood treatment that takes place inside the body, rather than outside using a machine. This process involves the surgical insertion of a soft catheter tube into the abdomen, creating an access point. Within the peritoneal cavity, there is a fluid known as dialysate. The dialysate is a solution composed of water, electrolytes, and salts. Its purpose is to filter out harmful toxins from the blood, allowing them to pass into the dialysate, while retaining the beneficial substances in the blood. Peritoneal dialysis comes in various types, with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) being the main ones.
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is a convenient and flexible treatment option that allows patients to maintain their normal daily routines without the need for a machine. Instead of being connected to a dialysis machine, CAPD involves the use of a bag containing two quarts of cleansing fluid.
During the treatment, the fluid is released through a catheter into the abdomen, where it helps remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. After a certain period of time, typically 30 to 40 minutes, the patient then drains the fluid back into the bag and discards it.
Patients who undergo CAPD are required to perform the treatment three to five times per day. However, the flexibility of this method allows individuals to schedule their treatments around other activities, such as work or school. This enables patients to lead a relatively normal life while still receiving the necessary dialysis treatment.