Usually, kidney failure develops slowly. However in some cases the time from diagnosis to severe kidney failure can be short. When your kidneys have lost around 90% of their filtering capacity it is time to think about replacing the kidney function.
Replacing your kidneys
If your Chronic Kidney Disease has reached a point of no return, your kidney function can only be replaced by dialysis or by transplantation. Most likely, the planning for this has started much earlier to prepare you for this new stage of your life. Your medical team will discuss the options with you and help you make a decision that will match your personal and medical needs. Often the preparation for dialysis and transplantation will start at the same time.
Transplantation
For many people transplantation offers the best outcome and the best quality of life. However, not everyone is suitable for a kidney transplant. You need to undergo extensive testing to see if you are suitable for transplantation. There is also a shortage of organs for transplantation which means that you may have to wait for months or even years, before getting a suitable transplant. Transplant surgery is a major operation and is not always successful. You also need lifelong medication to keep the transplant working.
Dialysis:
Dialysis is by far the most common treatment when your kidneys fail. There are two different methods – hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Most people are a candidate for both of these treatments. There are differences in the way the two procedures are carried out.
Peritoneal dialysis: inside your body
Peritoneal dialysis cleans the blood in a treatment that is performed inside of your body. In this treatment dialysis fluid is infused into your abdomen through a soft tube (catheter). The fluid pulls waste products and excess water out of your blood. After a prescribed amount of time the fluid is removed from your abdomen, taking the unwanted waste products and water with it. Peritoneal dialysis is performed at home and therefore gives flexibility to home life, work and social life.
Hemodialysis: outside your body
Hemodialysis cleans the blood in a treatment that is performed outside of your body. In this treatment your blood is circulated through a filter connected to a dialysis machine. In the filter waste products and fluid are removed from your blood. You need to have a vascular access so that your blood can be removed from and returned to your body. Hemodialysis usually takes place in a dialysis clinic. The standard treatment takes 4-5 hours and you have to perform it at least three times a week. This means that home life, work and social life often need to be arranged around the hemodialysis treatment.
Home dialysis can be an alternative
Home hemodialysis is becoming more frequent and is a treatment that enables much more flexibility with home life, work and social life. A dialysis machine is installed at your home and you are trained how to do your dialysis treatment yourself. Home hemodialysis offers the freedom to do more flexible treatment regimens and to combine daily and nightly sessions.
Print