How to Treat Kidney Failure

The kidneys remove extra fluid and waste material from the body. When the kidneys fail to remove the waste material and work as they should the condition is referred to as kidney failure. The causes of kidney failure may include chronic high blood pressure, complications from diabetes and hereditary conditions such as polycystic disease. For some people kidney failure is a side effect of certain medications. Symptoms include nausea, fluid retention, fatigue and anemia. Read on to learn more about how kidney failure is treated.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Contact the National Kidney Foundation. They provide information on early detection of kidney failure as well as education on living donor kidney transplants and other treatment options.
2. See a nephrologist. He or she is a doctor who specializes in treating people with kidney problems. The doctor will order various tests to confirm a diagnosis and help determine the underlying cause of your kidney failure.
3. Treat the underlying medical problem. Control high blood pressure though medications, diet and exercise. Lose excess weight as needed. Keep diabetes under control by maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
4. Get dialysis. A special machine will be used to remove the extra fluid and waste from your blood. Dialysis will not cure kidney disease but may help reduce symptoms. Dialysis may be done at a center or at home by a specially trained technician. Most people with kidney failure need dialysis three times a week and each sessions usually takes a few hours.
5. Follow diet restrictions recommended by your doctor. If you are getting dialysis you may be given certain diet restrictions. Limit fluid intake as suggested by your doctor. Drinking too much can cause fluid to build up in your body. Restrict salt which can cause your body to hold water.
6. Undergo a kidney transplant. Testing will need to be done to determine if a person is considered a good candidate for a transplant. A kidney may be donated from a living person or a cadaver.
7. Prevent rejection of the new kidney. After a transplant a person will have restrictions on diet and may need to make certain lifestyle changes. Medications will be needed to prevent your body from rejecting the kidney. It is essential to follow your doctors treatment plan and go to all follow up appointments to reduce your chances of rejection.