My mom is starting peritoneal dialysis soon and just learned that the fluid used is actually sugar water. She was shocked...no one had mentioned that before. There is a super strong family history of diabetes in our family (just about everyone has it) and she is afraid this fluid will trigger diabetes. Any thoughts?

The dialystate is made from a form of sugar called dextrose. Usually it's in 1.5%, 2.5% and 4.25% solutions depending upon how much fluid you need to pull off at a time. The dextrose is used to make a gradient along the membrane. There is more sugar on one side of the peritineal membrane than the other so water will naturally move out of the blood stream and into the peritineal cavity where it can be drained. Typically there is a concern for people who are already diabetic. Sometimes the sugar can be absorbed by the body and it can cause an imbalance in the blood sugar level. It can also cause you to gain weight. The best thing your mother can do if she is not a diabetic, is to watch her diet, and exersize. Also be aware that recurring infection in the peritineaum is the number one reason people go onto hemodialysis after being on PD.