Treatment for chronic kidney disease focuses on slowing the progression
of kidney damage, usually by controlling the cause. But even controlling
the cause might not keep kidney damage from progressing. Chronic kidney
disease can progress to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without
artificial filtering (dialysis) or a kidney transplant.
Dialysis uses a machine to artificially remove waste products and extra
fluid from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do this.
Hemodialysis, the most common type, uses a machine to filter waste and
excess fluids from your blood. You can get hemodialysis from a dialysis
center or at home. Most people receive in-center hemodialysis at least
three times per week.
Peritoneal dialysis, a thin tube inserted into your abdomen fills your
abdominal cavity with a dialysis solution that absorbs waste and excess
fluids. Afterward, you drain the solution into a bag outside of your body.
Kidney transplant surgery
While kidney dialysis can manage the filtering of toxins, a kidney transplant
offers a more permanent solution to improving overall health. Studies
have shown that transplant recipients often live longer and report better
physical and emotional well-being than those who remain on long-term dialysis.
Kidney transplant surgery replaces a damaged or diseased kidney with a
healthy one. This is often the last resort for individuals whose kidneys
have failed and can no longer perform their essential function of filtering
waste and excess fluids from the blood. Kidney failure, also known as
end-stage renal disease (ESRD), can be life-threatening. Kidney transplants
are considered when:
Kidney damage has progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Dialysis is no longer controlling symptoms effectively or significantly
reducing quality of life.
Timing and eligibility are considered earlier due to greater opportunities
for preemptive or early transplants and improving outcomes.
Some health conditions, like heart disease or infections, may need treatment
before candidacy is fully considered.
Surgical services
Kidney transplantation involves surgically replacing the diseased or non-functioning
kidney with a new one to restore normal function requiring lifelong medications
to prevent rejection.
Kidneys for transplantation can come from two sources: deceased organ donors
or living kidney donors. Each day, more than 100,000 people in the United
States are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant, with 85% of them in
need of a kidney.
