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Which dialysis is right for me?

Considerations for each renal dialysis option

Explore your treatment options

Finding the Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) dialysis treatment that is best suited to your physical, emotional, and lifestyle needs may improve your quality of life and give you peace of mind.

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text Your dialysis journey
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Your dialysis journey

There are 2 types of dialysis: peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). Each has many benefits and considerations of how it may affect you. There may be medical or lifestyle reasons for why one type of dialysis is better for you than another. Talk to your doctor about the medical reasons. There are many things to think about when making your decision.

PD is a treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of your abdomen, or belly, to filter your blood inside your body. Healthcare providers call this lining the peritoneum.1

What to expect for peritoneal dialysis treatment
which dialysis
What to expect for peritoneal dialysis treatment

Hemodialysis

During HD, your blood goes through a filter, called a dialyzer, outside your body. A dialyzer is sometimes called an “artificial kidney.”2

where can I do dialysis

Where can I do dialysis?

You can do dialysis in the hospital/clinic setting with in-center HD, or you can dialyze at home or on the road with PD. Some patients have the potential to do home HD.

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dialysis access

Dialysis access

An access needs to be created surgically on your body for dialysis. Whether PD or HD, the location of the access site is different.

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what to expect

What to expect

Get a better understanding of what to expect with PD and in-center HD. Consider which type of dialysis is best for you.

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comparative chart

Comparative chart

There are different benefits and considerations for PD and in-center HD. Understand all the treatment options and how they might impact you.

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Text Quiz: Is PD right for me?

Quiz

Take this short quiz to help you determine if PD is right for you.

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Other pages you may be interested in!

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Dialysis

Dialysis is the medical term for removing the waste and extra fluid from your blood that your kidneys can no longer remove themselves. When the waste is gone, you may feel better.

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Treatment options

Learn about your options.

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References

  1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Peritoneal dialysis. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/peritoneal-dialysis. Accessed August 26, 2022.

  2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hemodialysis. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/hemodialysis. Accessed August 26, 2022.