Treatments for kidney failure: what are the options?

The kidneys are organs of utmost importance to our body. They are responsible for filtering our blood, eliminating toxins, and for controlling the chemical and liquid balance in our body. When something does not go well, a condition of kidney failure can occur, and there are some types of treatment that can be recommended by the best nephrologist in Delhi in this case.

These measures aim to slow the progression of the disease and promote more quality of life for patients suffering from loss of renal function. In this post, you will know a little more about each of them. Keep reading to find out.

What is kidney failure?

Among several other functions, the kidneys are very important to ensure the maintenance of health and well-being. This is because they act on the elimination of toxins and in controlling the chemical balance of our body.

But sometimes – and for various reasons – they can present problems in the operation and even stop working. That's what kidney failure is called. When a patient receives this diagnosis, he/she needs to do a thorough follow-up with the best kidney specialist in Delhi to keep his health up to his/her.

Meet 4 treatments for loss of kidney function

There are several renal failure treatments in Delhi. Initially, conservative treatment may be indicated, but with disease progression, therapies that replace kidney function may be necessary – such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation.

If you suffer from kidney failure, it is very important to discuss the therapies available with your doctor for kidney in Delhi. But in to get you familiar with them, we've prepared the main information on the subject.

1. Renal conservative treatment

Conservative renal treatment is one in which clinical measures are adopted to slow progression and prevent complications caused by kidney disease.

It is done through medication adjustment, control of symptoms of loss of renal function, adequacy of the diet and general guidelines on the disease.

2. Hemodialysis

With the evolution of the disease, the kidneys can start to function very little, and it is necessary to start a renal replacement therapy. Hemodialysis offers this possibility to the patient, after all, it is a periodic procedure in which blood is filtered by means of a machine.

The indications for hemodialysis are done individually and take into account the patient's needs. Usually, the dialysis in Delhi is done in clinics specialized in nephrology, three times a week, with sessions of four hours of duration.

How is blood filtering done?

For hemodialysis to be performed, it is necessary to enable a vascular access, which can be a catheter or a fistula (native or with prosthesis).

Catheter: tube placed in a vein in the neck, chest or groin. It has two pathways that allow the exit and return of blood.

Fistula: junction of an artery with a vein, arm or leg. Two needle sticks are required to favor the flow of blood inflow and return.

The blood is led to the hemodialysis machine through the arterial line, passes through a dialysator – also known as a dialysis filter – and the toxins and liquids that were excess in the body are removed. Then it is returned to the patient by the venous line.

3. Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is also a modality of renal function replacement therapy, however, it is completely different from hemodialysis.

In peritoneal dialysis, there is no need to puncture veins or arteries. As the name implies, the filtration of blood is done through the peritonium – a membrane that covers the abdominal organs and functions as a filter. Thus, blood is filtered within the body itself and it is not necessary to use the hemodialysis machine.

In the case of peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is implanted in the abdominal cavity. Through this catheter, a dialysis solution is infused, which remains in the cavity for a while, removing substances and liquids that will be subsequently drained.

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis:

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PACD)

Also known as manual peritoneal dialysis, this technique occurs when the changes of the dialysis solution are made by the patient himself or by a family member.

Automated peritoneal dialysis (DPA)

In DPA, a machine called a cycling machine is used. This equipment makes the infusion and drainage of the dialysis solution in an automated way.

To define the ideal form of peritoneal dialysis, it is necessary to analyze the patient's profile and whether he will have the support of family members or caregivers to make these exchanges. It is also important that tests be performed to highlight the best technique to be followed.

4. Kidney transplantation

Kidney transplant in Delhi, characterized by the donation of a kidney, is one of the most complete treatment modalities for renal replacement. Such donation is regulated by law and can be made by a living donor, with kinship up to 4th degree; or after the death of a compatible donor, with no degree of kinship.

Even though it is a good treatment option for patients with renal failure, there are some considerations that should be observed before kidney transplantation is indicated. Unfortunately, not all patients with loss of kidney function may undergo this procedure.

The impediment can happen due to clinical or social issues, and it is up to the physician responsible for the patient to consider what are the risks involved in this treatment modality, to the detriment of dialysis.

It is important to know that transplantation does not represent the cure of the disease. It's a treatment modality.

How is a kidney transplant done?

In transplantation, the donor kidney is implanted in the patient's abdominal cavity and begins to perform the function of filtration and elimination of liquids and toxins. It is usually not necessary to remove the native kidneys during kidney transplantation.

Post-operative care of kidney transplantation should be followed with great caution. A drug treatment with immunosuppressants is instituted, which aims to prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted organ.

Although these medications are fundamental for treatment, they also make the patient more susceptible to infections. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful with the health and the precautions indicated by the kidney transplant doctor in Delhi after the kidney transplant in Delhi.

What is the best treatment for kidney failure?

The best form of treatment for kidney failure should be indicated by your trusted kidney specialist in Delhi. Regardless of the modality chosen, the important thing is to remember that there is treatment for kidney disease.

It is possible to live with quality of life and well-being; just know your condition, know which therapies are available and, mainly, make the correct control of the disease.