Skip to main content
Living With End Stage Renal Disease - Kidney Transplant Is The Answer
Nephrology

Living With End Stage Renal Disease - Kidney Transplant Is The Answer

Dr. Anuja Porwal Oct 11, 2023
Our kidneys play a vital role in the day to day functioning of the human body and are essential for our survival. The Kidneys are essential for removal of toxins and waste products from our body. They not only regulate water and acid-base balance in the body to keep it neutral which is needed for normal function of many processes but also play a major role in regulating blood pressure and secreting hormones which are essential for growth , bone health and production of red blood cells ( hemoglobin) which carry oxygen in our bodies.

As kidneys become diseased, they lose their ability to function. When both the kidneys are functioning lesser than 10%, condition is called end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. Treatments for kidney failure are hemodialysis, a mechanical process to clean the blood of waste products through a machine; peritoneal dialysis, in which toxins are removed by passing chemical solutions through the abdomen; and kidney transplant. Dialysis is the most common modality that is chosen to support the failed kidney but is not the best modality. Kidney transplant is often preferable to dialysis due to the various advantages a functioning kidney can provide over a machine.

On an average, Dialysis can only achieve partial renal function. After a transplant, the renal function are near normal. This results in significantly improved health. A kidney transplant also provides a better quality of life than dialysis. Patients lifestyle is no longer restricted by dialysis sessions. Most kidney patients feel more energetic after a transplant. They can resume their daily activities more easily. There are no dietary restrictions as compare to dialysis patients. Life expectancy increases after a kidney transplant.

In short, life will offer you many more opportunities after a transplant. In fact the long-term cost of a year of regular dialysis is equivalent to that of undergoing a kidney transplant. Its better to pay one time for your treatment rather than paying for a life time that guarantees not much of a cure.

With newer and advanced surgical techniques and better medications the success rates of transplant surgery have become as high as 97%. The donor can resume his normal lifestyle routine in 1-2 weeks of the surgery and hospital stay for the donor is not more than 3-4 days. The risk or complications involved for the donors in the kidney transplant surgery are none.  Kidney donors do not require any dietary restrictions or long term medications have normal life expectancy and live a absolutely healthy life. More and more patients are now being advised to opt for Transplant before dialysis when their kidney functions have started to decline as dialysis has short term and long-term negative consequences which can be avoided through an early transplant.

A kidney transplant has a huge positive impact on future life of end stage kidney patients, with very few disadvantages. After a kidney transplant, the patients would need to take lifelong immunosuppressant medications to ensure that their body does not reject the transplanted kidney, this puts these patients at a slightly higher risk of contracting infections ,however with newer immunosuppressant’s which are required to be given in very low dosages this risk is minimal.

Bedsides this the overall quality of life remains vastly better post transplant and indeed renal transplant could be the step that could transform the lives of millions of patients who are suffering from end stage renal failure which is a progressive and debilitating disease with profound psychological, social and financial repercussions. Timely discussion with your nephrologist could help change the life of many.

Dr. Anuja Porwal
Additional Director
Nephrology & Kidney Transplant
Fortis Hospital Noida

Categories

Clear all

Meet the doctor

2944.jpg
Dr. Anuja Porwal
ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR NEPHROLOGY | Fortis Noida
  • Nephrology | Nephrology
  • Date 15 Years
  • INR 1000

Related Blogs

View all
World Heart Day: Save Your Kidneys To Protect Your Heart
Nephrology

World Heart Day: Save Your Kidneys To Protect Your Heart

admin Mar 18, 2023
Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease
Nephrology

Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease

Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease Dec 21, 2020
Hemodialysis: All You Need To Know
Nephrology

Hemodialysis: All You Need To Know

Hemodialysis: All You Need To Know Dec 11, 2020
Neurosurgical Emergencies At Home €“ When To Rush To A Hospital?
Nephrology

Neurosurgical Emergencies At Home When To Rush To A Hospital?

admin Jan 23, 2024
8 Simple Ways To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Nephrology

8 Simple Ways To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Dr. Sanjeev Gulati Jul 19, 2023
Does Your Child Suffer From A Kidney Problem?
Nephrology

Does Your Child Suffer From A Kidney Problem?

admin Jul 19, 2023
Chronic Kidney Disease: An Emerging Epidemic
Nephrology

Chronic Kidney Disease: An Emerging Epidemic

admin Oct 31, 2023
Kidney Disease And Heart Health
Nephrology

Kidney Disease And Heart Health

Dr. Deepak Kalra Nov 07, 2023
Healthy Kidneys Are Key To Good Health
Nephrology

Healthy Kidneys Are Key To Good Health

Dr. Sanjeev Gulati Nov 17, 2014
Lowering The Risk of Kidney Disease
Nephrology

Lowering The Risk of Kidney Disease

admin Nov 08, 2023
barqut

Keep track of your appointments, get updates & more!

app-store google-play
Request callback