With peritoneal dialysis, tiny blood vessels inside the abdominal lining (peritoneum) filter blood through the aid of a dialysis solution. This solution is a type of cleansing liquid that contains water, salt and other additives.
There are two ways to do this treatment :
- Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Pialysis
During Peritoneal Dialysis :
- Connect the catheter to one branch of a Y-shaped tube. This tube connects to a bag that has dialysis solution. The solution flows through the tube and catheter into the peritoneal cavity
- Disconnect the tube and catheter after about 10 minutes, when the bag is empty.
- Cap off the catheter
- Go about your usual activities while the dialysis solution inside the peritoneal cavity absorbs waste and extra fluids from the body. This process can take 60 to 90 minutes
- Remove the cap from the catheter and use the other branch of the Y-shaped tube to drain the fluid into a clean, empty bag
- Repeat these steps up to four times a day. You sleep with the solution in your stomach all night
Side Effects of Peritoneal :
- Skin Infections
- Also at risk for peritonitis, an infection that occurs when bacteria get inside the abdomen through the catheter
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
