24 Sep 2015

Kidney patients  have been encouraged to enrol for peritoneal dialysis treatment to stay alive.

Speaking at a workshop to educate medical doctors on dialysis in Gaborone on September 22, Dr Brutt Cullis, a nephrologist, said peritoneal dialysis was helpful when one’s kidneys no longer functioned. 

He said with continuous dialysis, a patient could control extra fluid more easily, reducing stress on the heart and blood vessels. He also stated that the treatment would also allow one to be able to eat more and use fewer medications. 

He stated that peritoneal dialysis allowed a patient to work, travel and had a normal life. He stated that Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis was the only type of peritoneal dialysis that is done without machines. He affirmed that with peritoneal dialysis, the patient’s blood is cleaned inside the body. 

He explained that a plastic tube called a catheter is inserted into the abdomen. He said that a patient then puts a bag of dialysate into the peritoneal cavity through the catheter. 

The dialysate stays inside the body for about four to five hours before it is drained and thrown away. 

He pointed out that while the dialysate is in the peritoneal cavity, a patient can go about their usual activities at work, school or home. 

He said the peritoneal dialysis keeps the body in balance by removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body. He added that it helps control blood pressure. Dr Cullis said dialysis could be done in a hospital or at home. 

He stressed that patients that stay far from Marina Referral Hospital can do peritoneal dialysis at home so that they do not travel to and from hospital three times a week. 

He pointed out that with peritoneal dialysis, many patients live normal lives except for the time needed for treatment. Dr Cullis urged patients to use a new bag of dialysate each time to minimise chances of infection. He urged people with kidney problems not to give up on life. He observed that the life expectancy of people on dialysis can vary depending on other medical conditions and how well one follows their treatment plan. Ends