Millions of patients die every year due to kidney failure. According to current reports, around 12% of the population worldwide is affected by severe kidney disease. It is estimated that number of patients with kidney failure will rise terribly in upcoming years. Kidney dialysis & kidney transplantation are the two major treatment methods used for managing kidney damage & restoring functionality of kidneys.
Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease shows no compelling signs & symptoms in its early stages. Several possible symptoms of kidney disease that can be observed in advanced stage include the following.
- Poor appetite
- Foamy urine
- Puffy eyes
- Extreme tiredness
- Weakness
- Difficulty in urinating
- Dry & itchy skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dark urine
- Frequent urination sensation
- Swollen hands, abdomen & feet
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Increased thirst
Early detection & prompt medical treatment is the key to avoiding the chances of kidney failure.
Treatment Options for Kidney Failure
Most common & effective treatments for kidney failure can be elaborated with the help of following points.
- Dialysis - Kidneys are responsible for purifying nearly 1,500 liters of blood by eliminating toxins & waste products every day. Dialysis is an artificial method which adequately filters the blood when kidneys fail to work. There are several risks & complications associated with the procedure of dialysis. Dialysis requires longer duration of time & frequent clinical visits. Generally, surgeons do not suggest dialysis to elderly patients or patients with severe medical issues.
- Kidney Transplantation - A kidney transplant can be defined as a procedure of implanting a healthy kidney in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
Anyone with a healthy kidney & sound medical status is eligible for kidney donation. The person who donates a kidney is referred to as ‘donor’ while a patient who receives a healthy kidney is termed as a ‘recipient’. Not everyone with a kidney disease is eligible for undergoing a kidney transplantation.
Eligibility for a Kidney Transplant
Generally, patients with the following health conditions are not considered as good candidates for a kidney transplant.
- Patients suffering from chronic illness
- Patients with cancer, lung or heart diseases
- Current or recurring infection
- Severe obesity (BMI more than 40)
- Poorly managed mental ailments
- Current alcohol or drug abuse
- Patients with weak immunity system
- History of poor compliance with dialysis treatments or medications
Surgeons will thoroughly evaluate patient’s health condition before deciding to perform kidney transplantation. Surgeons may recommend various imaging tests like x-rays, kidney biopsy & ultrasound for detecting the underlying status of patients. Surgeons will determine the eligibility of patients for undergoing a kidney transplant depending on the diagnosis reports & medical history of patients.
Economical Kidney Transplantation Surgery in India
India is one of the leading nations facilitating a massive number of healthcare services to international patients. Availability of top-class treatments & surgeries for chronic kidney diseases has made it most desired healthcare destination. Kidney transplant surgery cost in India is within the reach of common people. It is just a fraction of money that global patients may have to spend in other developed nations like Australia, Canada or US.
Kimmie Rollison is an eminent Health consultant. She also writes for the Health columns for various regional and international online media and blogs. Follow her on twitter @kimmierollison or on facebook.
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