Choosing Between Dialysis and Kidney Transplant
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Choosing Between Dialysis and Kidney Transplant
View Originalfigure 1Anatomy of the urinary tract
- If you are on a list to get a kidney from a dead donor, you might need to wait a long time. You will most likely need to start peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis while you wait.
- If you start 1 type of dialysis and it doesn't work for you, you can switch to the other type of dialysis.
Anatomy of the urinary tract
Urine is made by the kidneys. It passes from the kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called the ureters. Then it leaves the bladder through another tube, called the urethra.
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Anatomy of the urinary tract
Urine is made by the kidneys. It passes from the kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called the ureters. Then it leaves the bladder through another tube, called the urethra.
Graphic 79864 Version 6.0
Kidney transplant
This drawing shows a person who has had a kidney transplant. The new kidney is put in the lower part of the belly. Its ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) is connected to the persons bladder. In many cases, the diseased kidneys are left in place.
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Kidney transplant
This drawing shows a person who has had a kidney transplant. The new kidney is put in the lower part of the belly. Its ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) is connected to the person's bladder. In many cases, the diseased kidneys are left in place.
Graphic 59957 Version 2.0
Peritoneal dialysis
This drawing shows a person having peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis fluid (fresh dialysis solution) flows into the person's belly. It stays there for a certain amount of time, and then it drains out into the drain bag. The "transfer set" is the tubing that connects a thin tube (catheter) in the person's belly to the dialysis equipment.
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Peritoneal dialysis
This drawing shows a person having peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis fluid (fresh dialysis solution) flows into the person's belly. It stays there for a certain amount of time, and then it drains out into the drain bag. The "transfer set" is the tubing that connects a thin tube (catheter) in the person's belly to the dialysis equipment.
Graphic 71539 Version 2.0
Hemodialysis
This drawing shows a person getting hemodialysis. Two needles are put into an "access" in the person's arm. Blood flows from the body to the hemodialysis machine, where it is filtered. Then the blood is returned to the body. The whole process takes about 3 to 5 hours and must be repeated 3 to 7 times a week.
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Hemodialysis
This drawing shows a person getting hemodialysis. Two needles are put into an "access" in the person's arm. Blood flows from the body to the hemodialysis machine, where it is filtered. Then the blood is returned to the body. The whole process takes about 3 to 5 hours and must be repeated 3 to 7 times a week.
Graphic 56992 Version 3.0
Benefits
Downsides
Kidney transplant
- People who get a kidney transplant usually live longer and have a better quality of life than people who are treated with dialysis
People who get a kidney transplant usually live longer and have a better quality of life than people who are treated with dialysis
- A kidney transplant is major surgery
- It can be hard to find a donor kidney
- People with certain medical conditions can't have a kidney transplant
- After surgery, you need to take medicines every day for the rest of your life. These medicines could cause you to get severe infections or cancer.
- After surgery, your body might "reject" your new kidney
A kidney transplant is major surgery
It can be hard to find a donor kidney
People with certain medical conditions can't have a kidney transplant
After surgery, you need to take medicines every day for the rest of your life. These medicines could cause you to get severe infections or cancer.
After surgery, your body might "reject" your new kidney
Peritoneal dialysis
- You can do it at home, which gives you more freedom and control over your life
- It doesn't involve needles
- You can do it overnight while you sleep
- You don't need anyone to help you if you learn how to do it yourself
- You don't need to limit your diet as much as with hemodialysis
You can do it at home, which gives you more freedom and control over your life
It doesn't involve needles
You can do it overnight while you sleep
You don't need anyone to help you if you learn how to do it yourself
You don't need to limit your diet as much as with hemodialysis
- It can be hard to learn how to do it
- It increases the chance that you will get an infection in your belly
It can be hard to learn how to do it
It increases the chance that you will get an infection in your belly
Hemodialysis
- You usually have it in a dialysis center, where doctors and nurses can watch you closely
- You don't have to learn to do it yourself
- You do it fewer days each week than peritoneal dialysis
You usually have it in a dialysis center, where doctors and nurses can watch you closely
You don't have to learn to do it yourself
You do it fewer days each week than peritoneal dialysis
- You need to travel to the center and back three times (or more) every week
- You will have needles put in your arm each time
- Your access can get infected or stop working
- During dialysis, you might feel lightheaded or have trouble breathing
You need to travel to the center and back three times (or more) every week
You will have needles put in your arm each time
Your access can get infected or stop working
During dialysis, you might feel lightheaded or have trouble breathing
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