If you are stunned to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, your first though will be, “What Is The Treatment For Kidney Failure?”
Our kidneys play a major role in our bodies. They are responsible for removing extra fluid and wastes, help regulate our blood pressure, and keep our chemicals at a balanced level. They even stimulate the production of red blood cells. Kidney failure can be caused by either a chronic kidney disease (CKD) or suddenly occur which is called acute renal failure. A toxin, trauma, kidney damage or severe blood loss can be the cause of acute kidney failure. The main reasons for kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and other genetic diseases.
Chronic kidney disease often goes undiagnosed because of the subtle symptoms, which are often overlooked or dismissed. CDK does not develop over night. It usually takes years to manifest. If a patient is diagnosed in the early stages, diet changes, medication, and lifestyle changes may delay the onset of this disease. In some cases, these changes can be sufficient to stop the development of kidney disease. In the beginning stages, symptoms of CKD may be asymptomatic. As the disease progresses, kidney failure symptoms include lethargy, swelling around the eyes as well as in the feet and ankles. Shortness of breath may also occur.
The symptoms of reduced kidney function also include blood in the urine and/or difficulty urinating. The patient may feel a burning sensation. Even lower back pain or pain in the abdomen may indicate a problem with your kidneys. When a patient reports these symptoms, the doctor will order specific tests to narrow down the causes of your symptoms. Blood tests and urine tests are the first step to find a definite diagnosis.
Treatment for kidney failure – dialysis:
When a patient is diagnosed with kidney disease, and kidney failure is the prognosis for the future, he/she has to make a decision about further treatments. The medical profession’s main treatment for kidney failure is called dialysis. Dialysis used to treat kidney failure is available as either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Other options for the patient are a kidney transplant or the refusal of treatment.
Hemodialysis uses the machine to clean the blood of excess water and salt. The filter in the dialysis machine works similar to your kidneys and removes waste products. The blood is removed from the body and returned through tubing. This type of dialysis requires surgical access to the blood vessels so large amounts of blood can flow into the machine. This type of treatment for kidney failure type is usually carried out three times a week and the procedure lasts a few hours each.
Peritoneal dialysis uses the patient’s abdominal cavity and not a machine to take over the function of the kidneys. This type of dialysis requires a catheter placed by a surgeon. Dialysis solution drips through the catheter into the abdominal cavity where it is left for a few hours and then drained.
Sometimes dialysis is not an option. A patient’s prior medical history may be the reason why this leading treatment for kidney failure is not a suitable option. At other times, complications may develop or dialysis may only be adequate for a short amount of time until a replacement can be found.
The third option in the treatment for kidney failure is the kidney transplantation. A transplant is not as easy as it sounds. Patients have to be evaluated to see if they are indeed a suitable candidate. This evaluation is usually done by an organ transplant center. Millions of people are currently on a waiting list for a suitable kidney. Immediate family members are most likely the best donors regarding a tissue match. These are the lucky patients. For others the only chance is to wait for a suitable organ donor. It can take years to find a suitable match. Patients have to take immunosuppressants for the rest of their lives after a kidney transplant.
The last option patients have is the refusal of treatment altogether. Some patients decide not to seek additional treatment after being diagnosed with kidney failure.
Treatment for kidney failure – kidney failure diet:
They may decide to try home remedies instead, particularly if the kidney disease is diagnosed at an early stage. Home remedies for kidney failure include a low sodium diet and lifestyle changes. It is especially important to avoid over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Prolonged use of these medications is dangerous to the kidneys. Lifestyle changes should include drinking plenty of water on a regular basis.
Follow all these and you may find your need for more intrusive treatment for kidney failure can be avoided.
Filed under:Treatment For Kidney Failure
