Peritoneal Dialysis: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When your kidneys can’t do their job anymore, peritoneal dialysis, a home-based treatment that uses the lining of your abdomen to filter waste from your blood. Also known as PD, it’s one of the two main ways to replace kidney function when you have chronic kidney disease, a condition where kidney damage lasts three months or longer. Unlike hospital-based hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis lets you do the treatment yourself — usually at night while you sleep, or during the day in short sessions. It doesn’t require needles in your arm, and you can often keep working, traveling, or living your life with fewer disruptions.

How does it actually work? Your body has a natural membrane called the peritoneum that lines your belly. A soft tube (catheter) is placed in your abdomen during a minor surgery. During treatment, a special fluid called dialysate is pumped into your belly through that tube. This fluid pulls out waste, extra salt, and water from your blood through the peritoneum. After a few hours, you drain the used fluid out and replace it with fresh solution. It’s like your belly becomes a temporary filter. People do this once a day or multiple times, depending on their needs. Some use machines (cycler) at night. Others do it manually, four to five times a day. It’s not magic — but it’s science that’s been helping people live longer and feel better for decades.

Peritoneal dialysis isn’t for everyone. If you’ve had major belly surgeries, have severe obesity, or have certain types of hernias, your doctor might suggest another option. But for many, it’s the best fit — especially if you want more control over your schedule. It also puts less stress on your heart than hemodialysis because it removes fluid slowly, not all at once. And because it’s done at home, you avoid frequent trips to a clinic. That’s why so many patients choose it after learning the details. Still, you’ll need training — usually a few weeks — to learn how to do it safely. Infection risk (especially around the catheter) is real, but with proper hygiene, most people avoid serious problems.

What you’ll find below are real, practical posts from people who’ve lived with this treatment. You’ll read about how peritoneal dialysis affects daily life, how to manage it during travel, what to eat to protect your kidneys, how to spot early signs of infection, and how it compares to other kidney treatments. We’ve also included advice from nurses and patients on avoiding common mistakes, handling missed exchanges, and staying active. No fluff. No jargon. Just what works — and what doesn’t — for real people managing kidney failure every day.