The benefits of kidney transplants vs dialysis

by HiranandaniHospital Kidney A Mumbai based kidney treatment hospital

Severe kidney failure, also known as kidney (or renal) failure, stage 5 chronic kidney disease, and end-stage kidney (or renal) disease, is treated with dialysis and kidney transplantation. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are the two forms of dialysis.

Waste materials, electrolytes (such as potassium, phosphorus, and acids), and fluid accumulate in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. 

Dialysis helps the failing kidneys eliminate fluid and waste products in part by taking over some of their function. 

The declining kidneys' function can be replaced even more completely through kidney transplantation.

This article addresses these treatments, including the benefits, drawbacks, and maintenance 
requirements for dialysis and kidney transplantation. To make an informed choice, you and your family should speak with your healthcare professional about all of your alternatives.

 

WHEN WILL A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OR DIALYSIS BE REQUIRED?

 

Fluid, waste, and electrolytes start to accumulate in the blood as the kidneys lose their ability to function. Before kidney disease has progressed to the point where life-threatening problems emerge, a kidney transplant should be carried out or dialysis should be started. Although occasionally severe renal failure is detected for the first time in individuals who were not previously known to have kidney disease, this typically takes several months or years after kidney illness is initially discovered. Your doctor has to talk to you about whether dialysis or transplantation is in your best interests and will increase your life expectancy or quality of life.

 

 

It is advisable to start dialysis treatments if you have severe renal disease and intend to do so while still in good health and with only minor kidney failure symptoms. 

These signs and symptoms include vomiting, dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, fatigue, and others. 

After taking into account your kidney function (as determined by blood and urine tests), general health, and personal preferences, you and your doctor will decide when to start dialysis. 

The majority of patients will experience kidney failure symptoms, therefore they often plan to begin dialysis when their kidney function is about 10% of normal.

 

 

TRANSPLANTATION OF THE KIDNEY

Since the quality of life and survival (life expectancy) are frequently greater than in those who are treated with dialysis, kidney transplantation is thought to be the therapy of 
choice for many persons with severe chronic renal disease. 

There aren't enough organs available for donation, though. 

Many kidney transplant candidates are placed on a waiting list and must undergo dialysis while they wait for a kidney to become available.

 

Only one kidney is necessary for survival; the other can be donated by a deceased or cadaver donor, a relative, an unrelated person (such as a spouse or acquaintance), or an unrelated person. 

Generally speaking, organs from living donors work better and last longer than those 
from deceased donors.

Some renal failure sufferers are ineligible for kidney transplantation. 

It may be more safe to receive treatment with dialysis rather than receive a kidney transplant if you are older and have significant heart or vascular problems. 

Other problems that could disqualify someone from receiving a kidney transplant
 include:

 

Dementia, poorly controlled mental illness, severe obesity (a body mass index greater than 40), recent or active cancer, a chronic illness that could result in death within a few years, recent or active drug or alcohol abuse, a history of inadequate adherence to medication or dialysis treatments, and limited or no health insurance.

 

If their illness is under control, some persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can be eligible for kidney transplantation. People with various medical issues are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if kidney transplantation is an option.

 

Advantages — For many persons with end-stage renal disease, kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment. A successful kidney transplant can prolong your life and lower your mortality risk. Additionally, recipients of kidney transplants are spared hours of daily dialysis. If a patient is suitable for a kidney transplant, they should ideally receive one before beginning dialysis.

 

Cons – Kidney transplantation is a significant surgical treatment with dangers both during and following the procedure. Infection, haemorrhage, and organ damage are among the hazards of the procedure. Even death can happen, albeit it happens very infrequently.

 

You will need to take drugs and undergo regular monitoring for the rest of your life after a kidney transplant to reduce the possibility of organ rejection. The drugs may cause serious adverse effects, such as a higher risk of developing serious infections, diabetes, or some types of cancer.

 

 

HEMODIALYSIS

In hemodialysis, waste materials and extra fluid are removed from your blood by pumping it through a dialysis machine. 

Vascular access, often referred to as a fistula or graft, is the path that was surgically made to connect you to the dialysis machine. 

Although a fistula or graft is preferable, hemodialysis treatments occasionally involve a catheter placed into a major vein in the neck. 

This enables the removal of blood from the body, its circulation via the dialysis device, and finally its return to the body.

 

 

You can perform hemodialysis at home or in a nephrology clinic. It usually takes three to five hours per session and is carried out in a centre three times per week. Hemodialysis can also be performed in-center three times per week during the course of an overnight procedure. Home dialysis is typically performed three to six times each week, and each session lasts between three and ten hours (sometimes while sleeping). Hemodialysis-specific information is accessible separately.

 

Benefits — Hemodialysis typically involves only a few hours of treatment each day and does not typically involve daily treatments. 

With in-center hemodialysis, a nurse or patient care technician handles gaining access to the blood stream for treatments, so patients don't need to learn much about the dialysis process itself.

 

A disadvantage of hemodialysis is low blood pressure during treatments, which can cause lightheadedness, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. 

For these potential issues, there are treatments and preventive measures available. 

Additionally, the access can become blocked or infected, necessitating surgery or other operations to clear it.

Due to the time needed for travel and the dialysis treatments, many patients who get hemodialysis in a facility are either unable to work or opt not to. 

Sometimes it may be simpler to work and receive hemodialysis at the same time when receiving nighttime overnight treatments in a dialysis facility.

 

WHERE DO I FIND THE BEST THERAPY?

For most patients who do not have one of the conditions that preclude transplants as indicated above, a kidney transplant is the best course of action. 

Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis are typically options for patients who cannot receive a kidney transplant or who must wait for one.

 

It is best made by you, your doctor, and frequently other family members or caretakers after careful evaluation of a number of significant criteria when deciding between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. 

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis don't appear to have any distinct advantages over one another in terms of survival. 

The decision between the two methods of dialysis is typically influenced by a variety of additional elements, such as personal preferences, available home amenities, and underlying medical conditions. 

Although it is possible to convert to a different form of dialysis if circumstances and preferences change, you should start with the type of dialysis that you and your doctors believe is ideal.

For instance, some people are unable to tolerate hemodialysis because it entails fast adjustments to the body's fluid balance. 

While some individuals might not be good candidates for kidney transplantation, others could lack the home amenities or skills necessary to do peritoneal dialysis. 

Several variables, including your overall health, your tastes, and your living situation, should be taken into account. If preferences or circumstances change over time, switching from one form of dialysis to the other is an option.

 

 

Hiranandani Hospital Kidney Transplant is a multi-specialty healthcare center based in Powai, Mumbai.

Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital Kidney is the learned soul behind this brilliant healthcare project. And today, the hospital is serving influentially in the metro city with more than 240 operational beds.

Dr Sujit Chatterjee, CEO - Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital says, that he is dedicatedly working on bringing the best facilities and quality care related to kidney diseases and kidney failure in the department. His good work is carried with concern, and respect for every patient which is the support system of this entire hospital.

Also Read: Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital - why it is the best place to get kidney treatment

Read More : Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital: How COVID Impacts Kidney Transplant

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Created on Dec 15th 2022 04:40. Viewed 227 times.

Comments