Dialysis is a medical treatment that is commonly used to treat kidney disease. It involves filtering a patient’s blood to remove waste and excess fluids when their kidneys are no longer able to do so effectively. A doctor of a renowned dialysis centre in South Kolkata discusses its procedure and treatment below.
Types of kidney diseases
Kidney disease is a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions that affect the kidneys’ ability to function correctly. The two main kinds of kidney disease are acute kidney injury, or AKI and chronic kidney disease or CKD. AKI is typically caused by a sudden loss of blood flowing to the kidneys or direct damage to the kidneys themselves. CKD, on the other hand, is a long-term condition that gradually worsens over time.
Role of dialysis
According to a kidney doctor of a multispeciality hospital in South Kolkata, dialysis is most commonly used to manage CKD when it reaches end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is when the kidneys are only functioning at 10-15% of their normal capacity. At this stage, dialysis is necessary to remove waste and excess fluids from the blood, as well as to manage other complications that may arise from ESRD, such as high blood pressure and anaemia. However, it is not a cure for kidney disease. It is a treatment that must be done regularly, to manage the symptoms of ESRD.
Dialysis and other possible treatments for kidney disease
In addition to dialysis, kidney transplant surgery is another option for managing ESRD. A successful transplant can restore the patient’s kidney function and eliminate the need for dialysis. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for a transplant, making dialysis the only viable option.
Besides dialysis, it might be possible to manage kidney disease before it reaches ESRD through lifestyle changes and medical treatments. For example, managing high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions that contribute to kidney disease can help slow its progression. Additionally, medications can help slow the progression of CKD.
It can manage the symptoms of ESRD. So, if you suffer from CKD or ESRD, you can consult a kidney doctor of a private hospital in South Kolkata to know when to start your dialysis.