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Dialysis removes the waste
products and excess fluid which build up in your body because
your kidneys aren't working. It uses a membrane as a filter
and a solution -- called, "dialysate" -- which is
designed to balance the fluids, salts and minerals in your bloodstream. |
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Peritoneal dialysis works by
using the membrane lining surrounding your abdominal cavity
as the filter. You carry the dialysate in your abdominal cavity
and it "pulls" the waste products and excess fluid
out of your bloodstream. You then drain this saturated dialysate
out at regular intervals. |
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To use this technique you need
to have an operation to put a catheter into your abdomen. The
operation is simple, the site heals quickly, and the catheter
should stay in place and not be uncomfortable. |
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Medicine uses three types of
peritoneal dialysis. Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
(CAPD) is the most common. You perform this yourself, using
a technique which empties out the saturated dialysate and replaces
it with fresh, every four to six hours. Between exchanges you
carry on life as normal. |
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Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
(APD) or Continuous Cyclical Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) is an
automated system which can be performed at home. At night you
connect up to a machine which fills your abdomen with dialysate,
leaves it to become saturated, and drains it off. It repeats
this a pre-set number of time. A big advantage of this technique
is that you don't have to worry about doing dialysis during
the day. |
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Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis
(IPD) is like APD but done in hospital. Sessions vary from 12
to 48 hours, two to three times a week, tailored to your individual
need. |
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Peritoneal dialysis should
not hurt, although you may find it uncomfortable at first. You
need to warm the dialysate to body temperature -- possibly in
an airing cupboard. But it should never be too hot as this might
damage the lining round your abdomen. |
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You will need to watch your
diet to gain most benefit from peritoneal dialysis. Your hospital
will refer you to a renal dietitian, who will advice you what
to eat to help you keep up your protein intake, regulate your
sugar and fat intake so you don't put on too much weight, and
tell you which foods are high in salts, potassium and phosphates,
the intake of which you have to limit. |
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Your doctor may also prescribe
drugs to help control your phosphate levels, and vitamins and
iron supplements to help balance your diet. |
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Be patient. It may take one
to two months on peritoneal dialysis before you begin to feel
better and rebuild your strength and gain confidence. |
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