Hemodialysis is a process that balances electrolytes and filters out wastes and fluids from the blood. The word herno refers to blood. The blood travels outside the body through tubing and is cleaned by a filter on a dialysis machine. The clean blood is returned to the body. Only a small amount of blood is outside the body at any one time.
Peritoneal dialysis is a process that uses a filter to clean the blood and remove extra fluids.
With peritoneal dialysis, the blood is cleansed inside the body, using one of the body's own membranes, the peritoneum, as the filter. The peritoneum is a thin lining that forms a sac around the digestive organs such as the liver, stomach and intestines. Although an option, the non-treatment choice could eventually lead to death. Selecting a treatment You need to take an active role in your own care and in helping choose which treatment option is best for you. Learning about your treatment options lets you make a choice that best suits your needs.