When you have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), you may have to undergo dialysis treatment. Although it is not at the beginning, you may need it in the End Stage of CKD. So you need to know the importance of dialysis as patient with CKD.
As the dialysis treatments has two main types: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, you need to select one of them. So, what is the best treatment between hemodialysis vs peritoneal dialysis?
Why do you need dialysis?
In the latter stage of Chronic Kidney disease (CKD), you need to have Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT). RRT includes either transplantation of a kidney or regular dialysis treatment.
Dialysis is a process of clearing out the unnecessary components of the body. This process includes some toxic elements, excretory products, drugs, etc.
There are two main types of dialysis;
- hemodialysis
- peritoneal dialysis
Although hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis function differently, the ultimate goal is the same. That is the replacement of the kidney functions of the body.
What is hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis is a process of purification of blood. This process uses an external machine called the dialysis machine. The blood is taken out of the body. Then the blood is going through a dialyzer.
When you undergo hemodialysis, you need to have vascular access to train the blood out of the body. You can have an AV Fistula, AV Graft, or some other type of access for this.
Disadvantages of hemodialysis
Usually, the hemodialysis is done in a hemodialysis center or home. You need to undergo around three hemodialysis for a week. Also, it takes about three to five hours to complete. Therefore you need to adhere to a tight schedule to continue your regular hemodialysis. Also, you cant have long travel distances from your dialysis center.
Complications of hemodialysis
It has some complications too. The dialysis-related hypotension, dialysis disequilibrium syndrome, Hypoglycemia, etc. are some of them.
Advantages of hemodialysis
However, the hemodialysis is more effective in clearing out particles than the peritoneal dialysis. Usually, hemodialysis is beneficial in the latter part of the disease. Also, the risk of infection is very low. You do not feel much discomfort to have an AV fistula.
What is peritoneal dialysis?
In peritoneal dialysis, we use the abdominal cavity to have dialysis. The peritoneal dialysis solution is inserted into the peritoneal cavity. Then we have to wait for 30 – 40 minutes for the dialysis process. Usually, we have to do it 3 to 5 times a day.
Disadvantages of peritoneal dialysis
When you undergo peritoneal dialysis, you have to have proper training. Also, it would help if you had an aseptic area. It would also be best if you had adequate time to have peritoneal dialysis several times a day.
Complications of peritoneal dialysis
Also, peritoneal dialysis associate with peritoneal infections. Peritonitis is quite a lethal condition. Therefore you need proper handling during the procedure. But according to some researches, both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have the same morbidity rates.
Advantages of peritoneal dialysis
However, peritoneal dialysis is cheap compared to haemodialysis. You do not need to travel to a dialysis center for your peritoneal dialysis. You can freely continue your day to day activities and travel. Additionally, the newel methods like Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) have created fewer complications.
What is the better option between hemodialysis vs peritoneal dialysis?
When you ask to start dialysis treatments, your nephrologist will discuss the method of renal replacement. If you are not undergoing a kidney transplant, you will offer another type of RRT. This option is either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
But some people can’t undergo hemodialysis effectively, while others can’t have peritoneal dialysis. It would help if you discussed this with your nephrologist. He will explain you cons and pros of hemodialysis vs Peritoneal dialysis.
Factors contributing to the selection of dialysis method
Usually, if your eGFR falls less than 15, you need dialysis treatments. But you need to select a better dialysis method for you. When you decide the better one between hemodialysis vs peritoneal dialysis, use the following factors.
- Your preference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
- Distance to nearest hemodialysis center
- Affordability of dialysis treatment methods
- Possibility of insurance coverage of your treatment method
- Plan for transplants
- Level of education
So, now you would understand the decision between hemodialysis vs peritoneal dialysis is affected by a lot of factors. You need to consider all of them before the selection of one of them.
Referance:
- Hemodialysis : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemodialysis
