What does a diagnosis of complete kidney failure mean?
Complete kidney failure, medically referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), signifies a severe and progressive condition in which both of your kidneys are no longer able to perform their vital functions adequately to sustain your life without medical intervention.
Key points to understand about complete kidney failure:
Irreversible Damage: ESRD represents an advanced stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) where the damage to the kidneys is irreversible and not recoverable through conventional medical treatments.
Loss of Function: The kidneys play crucial roles in filtering waste products, regulating fluid balance, controlling blood pressure, producing important hormones, and maintaining electrolyte levels in your body. With complete kidney failure, these functions are severely impaired or lost.
Waste Accumulation: As the kidneys fail, waste products and toxins begin to build up in your bloodstream, leading to potentially harmful consequences for your overall health.
Life-Sustaining Treatments: Individuals with complete kidney failure require ongoing life-sustaining treatments to replace the functions that their kidneys can no longer perform. These treatments include dialysis (either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) and kidney transplantation.
Dialysis: Dialysis involves artificially removing waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, as well as helping to control blood pressure. Hemodialysis is performed in a hospital or dialysis center, while peritoneal dialysis can be done at home.
Kidney Transplantation: Kidney transplantation involves surgically placing a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into the recipient with complete kidney failure. This offers a potential cure and allows the transplanted kidney to take over the functions of the failed kidneys.
Medical Monitoring and Management: Close medical monitoring and management are necessary for individuals with complete kidney failure to prevent complications, manage fluid balance, control blood pressure, and address other associated health conditions.
It's important for individuals with complete kidney failure to receive proper medical care and adhere to their treatment plans. Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals, strict dietary modifications, and adherence to medication regimens are crucial for managing this condition and improving overall health outcomes.