A fluid is put into your abdomen. This fluid, called dialysate captures the waste products from your blood. After a few hours, the dialysate containing your body's waste is drained away. Then, a fresh bag of dialysate is dripped into the abdomen. Patients can perform peritoneal dialysis themselves. Patients using Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), the most common form of peritoneal dialysis, change dialysate four times a day. Another form of peritoneal dialysis, however, can be performed at night with a machine that drains and refills the abdomen automatically.
Problems with Peritoneal dialysis
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Responsibility: Some kidney patients get tired of the responsibility of doing their peritoneal dialysis every day. |
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Altered self image, depression (because of abdominal catheters) |
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Discomfort : They feel full or bloated, suffer from backache or experience shoulder pain |
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Exit-site infections, leak |
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Hernia: Is the protrusion of an organ (most commonly the bowel) through abdomen wall, causing swelling. |
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