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Treatment Options for Kidney Failure

Your body's kidneys are designed to remove chemical waste from your body by filtering it through your urine. Occasionally, kidneys wear out and begin to lose their functionality. This is called kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include lethargy, weakness, swelling of the body, rising potassium levels, weakness, loss of appetite and fatigue. There is no cure for kidney failure, although several treatment options exist.

  1. Transplant

    • A kidney transplant is a procedure in which a kidney from an organ donor is placed in your body. Your own kidneys are left in place as long as they are not creating any problems, such as high blood pressure. The procedure requires major surgery and you will be hospitalized for as long as two weeks. A transplanted kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or a healthy, live person. After transplant surgery, you must take medication regularly and visit your doctor for exams to ensure the kidney is properly functioning.

    Hemodialysis

    • Hemodialysis is designed to cleanse your blood of toxins by removing small amounts of blood from your body, cleaning the blood and returning it to your veins. Hemodialysis is performed at a dialysis center several times a week, or you may choose to perform dialysis at home. With hemodialysis, you must have an access point on your body where the blood will flow in and out. There are three basic options for an access point: a fistula, a graft or a catheter. A catheter is usually a last option and only is used temporarily because it is so invasive. A physician will insert a tube into your neck or upper chest to permit the blood to leave and return. Fistula and graft access points require a minor surgery to connect an artery and vein in your arm or leg. Two tubes are inserted into the connection. Blood flows out of one tube and back in the opposite tube.

    Peritoneal Dialysis

    • Perioneteal dialysis works by removing wastes and toxic chemicals from your body through the lining of your abdomen. This stomach lining is called the peritoneal membrane. Before you begin treatment, a catheter is surgically inserted into your chest or abdomen. Once the incision site has healed fully, peritoneal dialysis can begin. This type of dialysis usually is performed at home. There are three basic types of dialysis: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), Continuous Cycler-assisted Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) and a combination of both. CAPD treatment does not require mechanical assistance, but CCPD uses a machine to cleanse the stomach. CAPD treatment requires you to change your dialysis solution several times a day, but CCPD requires only one or two changes per day. A combination method is used in overweight patients or for patients who require extra treatment.

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