How Is Kidney Failure Treated?...

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Medically reviewed by Mary Josephine Hessert, DOMedically reviewed by Mary Josephine Hessert, DOKidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a condition where your kidneys are not functioning properly. Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys work at less than 15% of their normal function. If left untreated, kidney failure can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke.Healthcare providers can suggest suitable treatment approaches for kidney failure. Although there is no cure for kidney failure, treatment can slow the progression of kidney disease, prevent complications, and promote a longer life.Kidney failure treatment depends on the underlying cause and other risk factors such as age, ethnicity, or smoking status. Treatment options include dialysis and kidney transplant. You may also choose not to receive treatment and instead undergo conservative management.DialysisDialysis is a procedure that helps remove wastes and excess fluids from your body when your kidneys are unable to do so. While dialysis cannot cure kidney failure, it can replace part of your kidney function.There are two types of dialysis that can help with kidney failure: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Your healthcare provider will recommend the type most suitable for you based on your symptoms and disease severity.HemodialysisHemodialysis is a procedure that uses a machine to filter your blood outside the body when your kidneys are failing. During the procedure, blood pumped out of your body passes through a filter called a dialyzer, sometimes also called an artificial kidney.Blood at one end of the filter passes through several thin and hollow fibers while a dialysis solution (made of water, salt, dextrose [a type of sugar], and other additives) passes in the opposite direction outside the fibers. Waste products from your blood pass into the dialysis solution while the filtered blood remains within the fibers and returns to the body.Hemodialysis helps:Remove harmful wastes and excess fluidsControl blood pressureBalance the levels of minerals such as calcium, sodium, and potassium in your bodyBefore hemodialysis, a healthcare provider may perform minor surgery to create a place where they can insert needles in your arm for the flow of blood in and out of the body. The needles are attached to a soft tube directly connected to the dialysis machine.Hemodialysis can be performed at home or at a dialysis center. It is most often performed at a dialysis center three times a week.Peritoneal DialysisPeritoneal dialysis is a procedure that uses the lining of your abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum, to filter blood inside your body. A surgeon places a soft tube called a catheter in your abdomen a few weeks before you start peritoneal dialysis.Upon starting the procedure, a dialysis solution flows from a bag through the catheter and into your abdomen. This solution absorbs wastes and excess fluids from your body. As the solution works inside you, you can disconnect the bag, cover your catheter, and go about your daily routine.After a few hours, the solution containing wastes and fluids gets drained from your abdomen into the empty bag. The bag is then thrown away, and a bag containing a new dialysis solution can be used for your next dialysis treatment.Peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home, at work, or even while traveling. It should be performed 4-6 times a day.Kidney TransplantA kidney transplant is a surgery that places a healthy kidney inside your body when your kidneys are failing. The healthy kidney can come from a living donor who may or may not be related to you or from someone who recently died.A transplanted kidney is often better at removing wastes and excess fluid than dialysis. However, kidney transplantation is not suitable for everyone. A healthcare provider will let you know if you can undergo kidney transplantation.During the surgery, your surgeon makes a cut in the lower abdominal area to place the healthy kidney. Your kidneys should not be removed unless they cause issues.The surgeon connects the transplanted kidney to your blood vessels and your bladder. This new kidney then filters the blood and forms urine, which travels through a transplanted ureter into the bladder. The surgery takes place under general anesthesia at a hospital and takes about three or four hours.After the surgery, you will need to take medications every day so that your immune system does not reject the new kidney. This is called immunosuppressive therapy.Conservative ManagementConservative management is a type of kidney failure treatment that focuses on controlling symptoms and improving your quality of life.People who do not wish to undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant for kidney failure can choose conservative management. Conservative management may also be the treatment of choice for older individuals or those with medical conditions such as heart failure or cancer who cannot undergo dialysis.Conservative management includes:Preservation of kidney function for as long as possibleMaintenance of your quality of lifeManagement of kidney failure symptoms such as nausea or loss of appetite Management of kidney failure-associated health problemsPreparation for comfort care at the end of lifeConservative management will not be able to cure kidney failure, but it can prevent the worsening of your quality of life often associated with frequent hospital visits due to dialysis or kidney transplant.Prognosis and Life ExpectancyKidney failure is an irreversible condition that can soon become life-threatening if left untreated.Undergoing dialysis, kidney transplant, or other treatment approaches can improve your quality of life and help you live longer. The average life expectancy for people undergoing dialysis often increases by another 5-10 years.The average life expectancy for people receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor is 15-20 years and from a deceased donor is 10-15 years. Other factors such as your age, ethnicity, or the presence of other underlying conditions may affect your life expectancy.Living With and Managing Kidney FailureLiving with kidney failure can be challenging, but it is possible to live a fulfilling life and continue to do things you love. You may want to consider talking to your healthcare provider and starting early treatment to live a long and productive life.Following your treatment plan can help you successfully live with kidney failure. However, kidney failure treatment can be expensive. Whether you need help paying for dialysis or transplantation and the medication associated with the surgery, there are government and private programs that may be able to help reduce costs.Lifestyle changes can also help you live a full life with kidney failure. These include being physically active and eating a balanced diet. Avoiding smoking, keeping your blood pressure in check, and limiting alcohol can also help.It's not uncommon for people with kidney failure and those undergoing dialysis or transplant to feel sad, depressed, or anxious. The National Kidney Foundation has a list of support groups that you can turn to. Taking care of your mental health while treating kidney failure is important. For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.

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