A kidney transplant is a treatment option for some people with kidney failure. During transplantation, a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is placed into the recipient’s body to perform the functions that failing kidneys can no longer adequately provide. A transplant requires careful medical evaluation before surgery and lifelong follow-up afterward. Recipients need anti-rejection medicines to reduce the risk of the immune system attacking the transplanted kidney, along with regular monitoring of kidney function and medications. Although transplantation can provide an alternative to dialysis for suitable patients, it is not a cure and requires ongoing medical care. This article explains the basics of kidney transplantation, eligibility assessment, treatment after transplant, and the importance of long-term specialist follow-up.
Dialysis: Understanding the Main Treatment Options
Dialysis is a form of kidney replacement therapy used when the kidneys can no longer adequately remove waste and excess fluid from the body. The two major forms are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a machine and a special filter called a dialyzer to clean the blood, while peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen as the filtering surface. Both approaches can help perform some of the functions normally carried out by healthy kidneys. Dialysis does not cure kidney failure, and treatment needs vary between individuals. For some patients, kidney transplantation may be another option. This article explains how the main types of dialysis work and the factors that may influence kidney replacement therapy choices.
