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Nocturnal Dialysis Treatment Growing In Popularity

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's growing in popularity among those who suffer from kidney disease and require dialysis. Many people are seeking a center who will perform the required treatment at night, it's called nocturnal dialysis.

Jeanne Fitzpatrick is the Facility Administrator at DaVita Diaylsis Center in University City. She says nocturnal dialysis is better for the body because the treatment is delivered at a slower rate and because it's for a longer period of time.

"And it also enables them to function during the day, if they need to work. This gives them the ability to dialyze at night for seven, eight hours."

Who is a candidate for nocturnal dialysis?

"Somebody who is ambulatory, independent, that can get to treatment. Somebody who wants to have their days free so they can work. Not necessarily a younger patient but it does work well with younger patients. They need to be compliant with their treatments."

Fitzpatrick says there are several ways those with kidney disease who require dialysis can receive it in the traditional center during the day, peritoneal or home hemodialysis at home or the nocturnal dialysis in the center.

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