A kidney transplant is the best possible treatment option for patients with kidney failure. If you aren’t eligible for a kidney transplant though, or if you are awaiting a kidney from a living or deceased donor, you will need dialysis.

When it comes to treating kidney failure with dialysis, you have certain options. From dialyzing at home to getting treated at a center, research which one could better suit your lifestyle. DPC does not endorse treatments, practitioners, medicine, or brands; however, we aim to provide an overview of dialysis treatment options, both in and out of a treatment center.

The following information is retrieved from The Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.org) and Fresenius Medical Care (https://freseniusmedicalcare.com/en-us/).

(Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org)

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a needle-free treatment done at home that uses the lining of the abdomen (or belly) to filter waste from the blood. It is the treatment most similar to your natural kidney function. Some of the potential benefits of PD include:

  • Control of your own treatment and a more flexible schedule
  • Greater ability to pursue personal interests
  • Preservation of remaining kidney function, leading to enhanced clinical outcomes
  • Better transplant outcomes because PD is also gentler on the body, including the heart.

Home hemodialysis (HHD)

HHD works just like in-center hemodialysis by using an external filter to clean toxins from your body, only the machine is smaller and more user-friendly. There are many potential benefits to HHD, such as:

  • The ability to dialyze in the comfort of your own home
  • Greater ability to travel
  • Shorter recovery time after treatments
  • Fewer medications required

Dialysis center options

In-center hemodialysis

In-center hemodialysis requires you to visit a dialysis center three times per week. It uses a machine to filter your blood and clear toxins from your kidneys. In-center hemodialysis offers several potential benefits, which include:

  • The chance to socialize with other patients and staff
  • Personalized care team
  • No supplies to store at home

In-center nocturnal dialysis

In-center nocturnal dialysis allows you to dialyze in-center overnight three times per week, for 6–8 hours while you sleep. It also includes potential benefits such as:

  • No interference with daytime schedule
  • An improved appetite
  • Better blood pressure control

(Retrieved from: https://freseniusmedicalcare.com/en-us/)

In-center hemodiafiltration

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a type of dialysis that cleans the blood using two cleaning processes, diffusion and convection, instead of just diffusion alone as in standard dialysis. The length of time does not change from standard dialysis. Potential benefits include:

  • Broader range of waste removal during treatment
  • Potential for more stable blood pressure while dialyzing
  • Patients may have increased energy in between sessions