Total Kidney Failure: Treatment Options

Introduction

Having totally failed kidneys, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), would have a great impact on a person’s life including his or her lifestyle, work, and emotional well being. But with the help of the health care team, family, and friends, a person with total kidney failure can lead a full and active life.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that help get rid of wastes and excess fluid from the blood. Each kidney is about the size of a fist.

Within the kidneys are tiny filtering units called nephrons. They let extra fluid and waste products out of the body in the form of urine. In addition, they help balance substances such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium in the body. Anything in excess that the body does not need, also becomes part of the urine.

Other functions of the kidneys include:

 stimulating production of red blood cells—the oxygen carrying cells in the body.

 controlling or regulating blood pressure, and

 aids in maintaining calcium levels.

When the kidneys totally fail.

When the kidneys totally fail because of continuous destruction of the nephrons, normal functions of the kidneys are disrupted. Excess fluid and dangerous wastes accumulate in the body.

You cannot survive without your kidneys. However, there are treatment options that you can choose to replace the work of the failed kidneys. Treatment choices include hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation.

Let us have a look at these kidney failure treatment options.

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See Also: Kidney Disease

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