What is the Best Treatment for Kidney Failure?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with kidney failure, you may be wondering: What is the best treatment? The answer depends on your health, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Treatment Options for Kidney Failure
There are two main treatments for kidney failure:
- Kidney Transplant
A kidney transplant is the best option for many people. It involves replacing your failed kidney with a healthy one from a living or deceased donor. A transplant can offer a better quality of life, more energy, and fewer dietary restrictions compared to dialysis. However, it may require finding a living donor or waiting on the deceased donor registry, undergoing surgery, and taking lifelong medications to prevent rejection. - Dialysis
Dialysis is a lifesaving option for those who cannot get a transplant right away. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys by filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood. While dialysis can perform many functions of the kidney, it requires regular treatments and lifestyle adjustments.- There are two main types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis: Done at a dialysis center or at home, this method uses a machine to clean your blood.
- Peritoneal Dialysis: Done at home, this method uses the lining of your abdomen to filter waste.
- There are two main types of dialysis:
Which Kidney Failure Treatment Is Best for You?
If you are in kidney failure, the best treatment depends on your health, personal preferences, and support system. A kidney transplant offers the best long-term survival and outcomes, but not everyone is a candidate. Dialysis is effective but requires ongoing treatment.
It’s important to discuss your options with your family, doctor and care team. They can help you understand the benefits and risks of each choice and determine what works best for your situation, including information on the identification of a living donor.