Dialysis

What runs through a patient’s mind when their doctor just diagnosed them with renal failure or that their already reduced kidney function has worsened? “Will I live?” “What life changes are coming my way?” “Will I have a normal lifestyle with renal failure?

The organs that are situated within the abdominal cavity are covered with a fine continuous lining membrane called the peritoneal membrane, or peritoneum. The part of this membrane that covers the intra (inside)

Dialysis is expensive….around $30,000 per year. If you have to dialyze, you have two choices as to where you get your treatment: in-center or at home. Both options are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurances. So, which option do you pick?

“I am approaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Can I do dialysis at home?” Being diagnosed with kidney failure is a lifealtering event. The change can be very difficult, and many people find themselves with feelings of anxiety and stress while waiting for a transplant.

When is more … better?  More … dangerous heart rhythms? No way! More … episodes of not being able to breathe the night before dialysis? Not likely! More … muscle cramps, weakness, nausea and vomiting near the end of dialysis? Ummm – no! The correct answer: more dialysis treatments per week and more time per dialysis session.

Introduction In the past few years home hemodialysis has become more popular. In 2005 there were 2,105 patients on home hemodialysis. In 2007, one dialysis company alone (DaVita) reported 1000 patients in their home hemodialysis program (DaVita personal communication). The majority of home patients currently undergo short, daily dialysis.

History Home hemodialysis started in 1964 in Seattle, Boston and London as a way of treating more patients when funding for dialysis was very limited.

What is Peritoneal Dialysis? Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a dialysis option for patients with kidney failure. Similar in hemodialysis, in that it cleans the blood of impurities, it does not use an artificial kidney or dialyzer. PD occurs inside the body using the peritoneal membrane as a filter.

Dear Doctor, My father has just started peritoneal dialysis (PD) and we are all still learning the procedures and how it all works. It is our understanding that the ‘waste’ from PD should be treated as urine, and disposed of in the toilet. What is the proper way to dispose PD fluid? Waste fluid that a peritoneal dialysis (PD)

Fourty-one year old Eulalio Gonzalez is a high school Spanish teacher from San Antonio, Texas. It’s not unusual for him to work 10 to 12 hour days. This is unusual for most dialysis patients in the United States.