Hemodialysis and Peritoneal DialysisFor most Americans, dialysis is a confusing process that they hopefully will never have to endure, but for hundreds of thousands of people it is a fact of everyday life. According to US News and World Report, “In the United States, nearly 400,000 people undergo dialysis each year.” (Gordon, 2012, para. 4) Their lives revolve around dialysis three days a week for three to four hours per treatment, usually in an outpatient clinic. While dialysis can prolong the lives of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the three-day-a-week trek to this clinic can feel like an endless cycle of discomfort and discomfort. Fortunately, the ESRD patient has more than one option, namely peritoneal dialysis. Traditional hemodialysis (HD) is provided to the patient in an outpatient clinic which is often referred to as a chronic unit. Patients must go to the chronic unit to be connected to the dialysis machine which circulates blood through a dialyzer thus removing toxins and excess fluids. This dialyzer is a clear plastic tube that contains thousands of microfibers that allow blood to flow while allowing diffusion to remove unwanted components of the blood. Most dialysis patients use it as their primary treatment method; however, some patients find the treatment harsh and uncomfortable. These patients often seek alternative treatments such as peritoneal dialysis. The human body has the ability to be modified to allow dialysis within the peritoneal cavity instead of the extracorporeal method used in hemodialysis. This cavity is located in the abdomen and is accessible through a tube called a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter. The... center of the card... common side effect of Parkinson's disease and is a daily challenge for the patient at home. The patient should continuously monitor for signs and symptoms of infection, such as pain, fever, or abdominal swelling. HD patients are aware of the risk of access infections, but tend to rely on the clinic nurse to recognize and treat the infection. Overall, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis provide life-saving treatments for patients who would otherwise die. The choice of which to choose is as much a lifestyle as medical decision, and patients should carefully weigh their options and use the resources provided to them by their dialysis clinic. Works Cited Gordon, S. (2012, February 23). More kidney dialysis is better, according to research. US News & World Report. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/02/23/more-kidney-dialysis-is-better-research-finds