What Is Dialysis?
When your kidneys no longer work well enough to remove waste and extra fluid or keep your blood’s chemicals—like potassium and acid—in balance, you may need dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment that does the job of your kidneys when they can’t.
There are two different kinds of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis: Blood is cleaned using a machine, usually at a dialysis center.
- Peritoneal dialysis: This type is done at home using your belly lining (called the peritoneum) to filter your blood.
What Is Peritoneal Dialysis?
Peritoneal dialysis is a home-based treatment for kidney failure. It uses your body’s own lining inside the belly (the peritoneum) as a natural filter—almost like a "third kidney." This lining helps clear toxins, balance potassium and other minerals, and remove extra fluid from your body. There are no needles involved.
Because it’s done at home, peritoneal dialysis often means more freedom with your schedule, fewer trips to the clinic, and fewer limits on your diet. With training and support, most people can do this treatment themselves.
How Does It Work?
To start peritoneal dialysis, you’ll first have a soft, flexible tube (called a catheter) placed in your belly through a minor procedure. It’s usually done without needing to stay overnight in the hospital. You’ll need about two weeks to heal before beginning dialysis.
Once you’ve healed, you’ll be trained by a nurse to do the dialysis safely at home.
Here’s what the process looks like:
- Fill (Exchange Begins) – You connect a bag of special cleansing fluid (called dialysate) to the catheter, and the fluid flows into your belly.
- Dwell Time – The fluid stays in your belly for a few hours. During this time, it absorbs waste, toxins, and extra water from your blood through the peritoneal lining. You can go about your normal activities while this happens.
- Drain – After the dwell, you drain the used fluid out and throw it away. Then, you start again with fresh fluid.
- Each time you drain and refill your belly with fluid is called an “exchange.”
Two Ways to Do Peritoneal Dialysis
You and your doctor will decide which method fits your life best:
- CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis): You do 3–5 exchanges during the day by hand. Each takes about 30–40 minutes. At night, fluid stays in your belly while you sleep.
- CCPD (Continuous Cycler Peritoneal Dialysis): A machine (called a cycler) does all the exchanges for you while you sleep, usually overnight.
What Are the Benefits?
Peritoneal dialysis has some advantages:
- You can do it at home or even while traveling.
- It offers more flexibility with work, school, or family routines.
- You may have fewer restrictions on what you eat or drink.
- It’s gentler on the body than some other types of dialysis.
Are There Any Risks?
Like any treatment, there are things to watch for:
- Infection – You can get an infection around the catheter site or inside your belly (peritonitis). These are treated with antibiotics.
- Hernia – A weak spot in your belly wall may bulge out and might need surgery.
- Fluid or treatment problems – Sometimes the fluid doesn’t flow in or out properly. Let your care team know if this happens.
Remember…
Every patient is unique, and what is best for someone else may not be best for you – your provider at Renal Specialists of Houston is experienced in dialysis care and can answer any questions you might have. We are here to help you make the best dialysis decision – for you.