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Kidney failure is a medical term used for a condition where kidney function is impaired to such
extent that kidneys are unable to filter metabolic wastes from the blood in adequate amount.
Kidney failure is also known as renal failure or renal insufficiency. Some of the causes of kidney
failure are treatable and functioning of kidneys may come back to normal. On the other hand,
kidney failure in advanced stages may be irreversible. With the help of kidney dialysis and
Hemodialysis, it is possible to carry out filtering of waste materials form the blood.
Chronic Kidney disease is a condition where kidneys can not filter blood in normal way. As a result
of this, waste substances keep building up in the blood which is harmful to the body. Chronic kidney
disease usually gets worse and may results into Kidney failure. With the help of timely treatments,
In the early stages, no symptoms can be seen in Kidney disease patients. Blood and urine analysis is
Tiredness
Loss of appetite
Sickness
Shortness of breath
Memory problems
Difficulty in concentration
Conditions that put strain on the kidneys lead to chronic kidney disease which leads to kidney
Small blood vessels in the kidneys get strained as a result of prolonged high blood pressure. This
disturbs the normal kidney function.
Kidney infections
High cholesterol
High cholesterol content can cause build-up of fats in the blood vessels that supply blood to the
Glomerulonephritis
Diabetes
Recurrent kidney stones or enlarged prostate can act as blockages in urine flow.
Some medications such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and lithium can cause
Chronic kidney failure is divided in five stages. These stages are decided based on the patients
Stage 1 With few signs and symptoms, chronic kidney disease has mildly destroyed renal function
at stage 1 of kidney failure.
Stages 2 More support is required in stage 2 of kidney failure for treatment of renal dysfunction
Stage 3 Increasing level of support is required in stage 3 kidney failure similar to that of stage 2.
Stage 4 and 5 At stage 4 and 5, preparation of patient for active treatment is done in order to
survive. In case of stage 5, renal replacement therapy known as dialysis or kidney transplant is
Upon failure of kidney, harmful waste accumulation starts in the body. Symptoms of Kidney failure
Dry skin
Edema or swelling in legs, ankles, feet and sometimes in the face and hands
Itching
Numbness
Muscle cramps
Loss of weight
Once these symptoms are confirmed, treatment for damaged kidney needs to be followed. If
untreated, failure of kidneys lead to seizures, coma. In extremely severe cases it is life-threatening.
Dialysis
Kidney transplantation
Conservative management
Dialysis is the most preferred method of treatment for kidney failure patients. It is an artificial
method which involves elimination of waste and excess fluid from the blood. Normal kidneys do this
usually.
Patients of kidney failure need to undergo dialysis since their kidneys are unable to carry out
Hemodialysis
Peritoneal dialysis
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis is mainly carried out for filtering the blood of kidney failure patients where kidneys are
unable to filter the blood effectively. The hemodialysis involves use of a machine for removal of
waste material and excess fluid in exact manner healthy kidneys did prior to failure. It helps in
balancing important minerals in the blood and controlling blood pressure. It is not exactly a cure for
kidney failure patients, but it enhances quality and duration of life of the patients.
Process of hemodialysis
Before initiating the process of hemodialysis, a vascular access in the arm of patient is made by the
surgeon. This vascular access helps in getting continuous blood flow during the process of
hemodialysis. This helps in filtering the largest possible amounts of blood. A machine called dialyzer
A pump attached to the hemodialysis machine collects the blood from the body of patient using a
needle into a tube. This blood then goes through the tube and then to the dialyzer and then travels
through thin fibers which filters out excess fluids and waste materials. After completion of filtration,
blood is carried out back with the help of another tube. Dialysis can be carried out at a dialysis
center or at home. Hemodialysis helps in replacing part of kidney function. Dietary changes are
required to be made along with medications by the kidney failure patients. Water and fluid intake
needs to be controlled as per the advice of doctors. Based on the location of the treatment,
Pros
Cons
Home Hemodialysis
Pros
A sense of control over the treatment.
More manageable diet and less restrictions on liquids due to short gaps between
sessions.
Cons
Patients need to learn putting dialysis needles into the vascular access.
Peritoneal dialysis is carried out for patients those who find hemodialysis process very exhausting.
These patients include babies, children and elderly people. This dialysis can be carried out during
traveling as well and hence convenient for work and education related patients.
The patient needs to go through a minor surgical operation where a catheter is inserted into the
abdomen.
The treatment of kidney failure is costly in India. The cost of haemodialysis is around Rs. 12-
15,000/- per month. Also find the list of hospital and cost of haemodialysis in cities across India
here . Peritoneal dialysis is more costly ( around Rs. 18-20,000/- per month). A kidney transplant
Conclusion
Though dialysis is not exactly a cure, it is a big hope for patients of kidney failure. With the help of
dialyzer, filtration of blood can be carried out during dialysis process. Early stage care is very
essential in case of kidney diseases. Often kidney disease symptoms remain untreated and lead to
kidney failure. With the help of dialysis, these patients can survive, but sometimes kidney failure is
irreversible. With the help of balanced diet, timely dialysis and medications, health of chronic kidney