For Kidney Failure Patients, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are both treatment methods of filtering wastes from the body because the kidneys are no longer able to do the normal jobs. But many patients do not know their difference. Then, what is the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?

What is the hemodialysis?

Basically, in hemodialysis, blood leaves the body, gets filtered by a machine called a dialyzer, and then returns to the body. The patient has two needles inserted into an access site on his arm, with one needle for blood leaving the body and the other for blood re-entering the body.

Then, what is the peritoneal dialysis?

In peritoneal dialysis, a solution called dialysate filters wastes in the abdomen and then drains into a collection bag. And the process of doing peritoneal dialysis is called an exchange. In general, there are two main types of peritoneal dialysis procedures: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD).

Well then, what is the their difference?

One general difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis is that hemodialysis is for those who still have some kidney function left, and peritoneal dialysis is for those who actually have kidney failure and are waiting for a kidney transplant. Another general difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis is that in hemodialysis, the filtration of wastes occurs in a machine, while in peritoneal dialysis, the filtration occurs within the abdomen. As a matter of fact, both of them have some disadvantages. For example, hemodialysis can cause low blood pressure and blood clots, and it increases risk of bloodstream infections. The peritoneal dialysis will increase your risk for an infection of the lining of the belly, called peritonitis.

Therefore, dialysis is not the optimal choice for kidney failure patients. If you want to get rid of dialysis, you might as well come to Shijiazhuang Hetaiheng Hospital of China, here you will get the individualized treatments like Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy, Immunotherapy, Stem Cell Therapy, etc. If you have interest, you can email to renal-disease@hotmail.com or leave a message below directly. And we will reply you within 48 hours.