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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffMost people who require dialysis face a variety of serious health problems, including diseases that cause kidney failure as well as kidney failure itself. Dialysis prolongs life for many people, but life expectancy for those who need the procedure is still lower than that of the general population.
The main complications of peritoneal dialysis are:
- Infections. The most common problem for people receiving peritoneal dialysis is peritonitis, an infection of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). An infection can also develop at the site where the tube (catheter) is inserted to carry the cleansing fluid into and out of your abdomen.
- Weight gain. The fluid used to clean your blood in peritoneal dialysis contains sugar (dextrose). You may take in several hundred calories each day by absorbing some of this fluid, known as dialysate. The extra calories can also lead to high blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Weakening of the abdominal muscles (hernia). Holding fluid in your abdomen for long periods may strain your belly muscles.
References
- Liu KD, et al. Dialysis in the treatment of renal failure. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Peritoneal dialysis: What you need to know. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/peritoneal.cfm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Treatment methods for kidney failure: Peritoneal dialysis. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/peritoneal/. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Burkart JM, et al. Choosing a modality for peritoneal dialysis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Burkart JM, et al. Adequacy of peritoneal dialysis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Peritoneal dialysis dose and adequacy. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/peritonealdose/. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Post TW, et al. Overview of the management of chronic kidney disease in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2010.
- Gajjar AH. Peritoneal dialysis catheters: Laparoscopic versus traditional placement techniques and outcomes. The American Journal of Surgery. 2007;194:872.
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