Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis take over the filtering function of the non-functioning kidneys.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition where someone suffers gradual and permanent deterioration and loss of kidney function over a course of time (months to years). Progression of the kidney disease eventually leads to total loss or near-total loss of kidney function known as kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or stage 5 CKD- the stage when the measured or estimated kidney function is below 15-20mL/minute.
CKD can be due to a primary kidney disease, meaning the disease arose from a kidney condition itself; more commonly as is more prevalent nowadays, CKD can be a complication or consequence of another medical disease. The top two (2) most common cause of CKD worldwide and in the Philippines are diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure or hypertension.
Generally, dialysis treatment is initiated once CKD has reached the end-stage or stage 5. Dialysis therapy is not a treatment that will cure or improve the kidney function, rather it is a procedure that takes over the filtering function of the non-functioning kidneys. It utilizes a filtering mechanism or system to cleanse the body of waste products, excess water, electrolytes and minerals among other substances.
There are two major types of dialysis:
Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis involves the use of a machine that will pump blood out of body circulation into a closed circuit of tubing flowing into a filter or dialyzer and back into the systemic blood circulation of the body. It is in the dialyzer where the filtration of blood and removal of waste products, excess water, electrolytes, minerals and other unwanted substances occur. Hemodialysis is usually performed at a dialysis center two or three times per week; a dialysis session typically takes 3 to 4 hours or as maybe ordered by the doctor.
Peritoneal dialysis utilizes the patient’s abdomen – the peritoneum lining the inside of abdomen, as the filtering mechanism. Our body’s peritoneum has a vast network of capillaries (small blood vessels) in its semi-permeable membrane where potential exchange of substances can occur through a process called osmosis and diffusion. This exchange is facilitated via infusion of a dialysate solution into the abdomen via a peritoneal catheter; the dialysate solution serves to attract the movement of various waste products, excess water, electrolytes, minerals and other unwanted substances into the abdominal cavity and thence drain out of the body through the same peritoneal catheter.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) exchange is performed either manually or automated by use of a machine (cycler-machine). Either way, the process involves infusion of a prescribed amount and percentage-strength of dialysis solution into the abdomen, followed by prescribed dwelling time, the amount of time it will be allowed to settle in the abdomen before it is drained out. There is wide variation in the number and frequency of exchanges that a patient may require depending upon the individual characteristics and clinical need.
Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) provides inpatient and outpatient dialysis, and follow-up care for patients with end-stage kidney disease. AHMC offers a broad range of treatment modalities including hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
For inquiries, contact the Hemodialysis Unit at 771-9000 to 9002 local 8206/8207 and direct line: 876-5764 or email at info@asianhospital.com for more details.