Hear a transplant nephrologist and transplant coordinator give an overview of the transplant process including referral, testing & evaluation, and getting on the waitlist.
Living kidney donors can be family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or even altruistic strangers. This type of donation accounts for about one-third of all kidney transplants performed in the United States. Hear about a transplantation from a living donor’s perspective.
For people with end stage kidney failure, a transplant can be a treatment option that leads to a better quality and longer life. Hear from four kidney transplant recipients who got their second chance at life.
It is the gradual loss of kidney function over a period of months or years. Kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then expelled in your urine. When chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in your body, causing an individual to become very ill.
There is no cure for chronic kidney disease, however, there are two forms of treatment options: dialysis or kidney transplantation. Two types of dialysis that are commonly used today are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Many people with kidney disease opt for a transplant to avoid repeated dialysis treatments.
Signs and symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, ammonia breath or an ammonia/metal taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, fatigue or weakness, back pain, changes in urination, swelling of feet, ankles, hands or face, persistent itching, shortness of breath, high blood pressure (hypertension) or untreated diabetes or anemia.
Kidney disease often has no symptoms until the disease has advanced. If you are concerned about exhibiting any of the symptoms above, contact your physician to get tested.
Dialysis is a treatment for kidney disease that filters and purifies your blood using a machine. Hemodialysis is the most common method to treat kidney failure and can be performed at a dialysis clinic or in the home. Medicare will pay for 80% of the cost of dialysis and the remaining 20% is the patient's responsibility. If you are covered under medical insurance, the company may pay the remaining 20%. If not, you will be personally responsible unless or until you qualify for Medicaid, which will pick up the remaining 20%.
Healthy food choices and eating a well-balanced diet is important for everyone. Maintaining a kidney-friendly meal plan limits how much of certain minerals and fluid you eat and drink. There is not one plan that is right for everyone with kidney disease. Talk to your doctor or social worker about meeting with a Registered Dietitian for more information and creating a plan that is personalized for you.
Anyone can be diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, at any age. However, African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are at an increased risk for developing the disease. You may also be at increased risk if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of Chronic Kidney Disease and being 60 years of age or older. If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about getting tested for kidney disease.
Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can assist in the prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease. Changing your lifestyle choices and behaviors can ultimately prevent individuals from developing the disease. Reducing sodium intake, limiting red meats, avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks and eliminating processed foods all contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Two procedures doctors can perform to check for kidney disease are blood and urine tests. Diagnosis of kidney failure can be confirmed by blood tests to measure levels of waste products and electrolytes in your blood. Urine tests may be performed to measure the amount of protein, detect the presence of abnormal cells, or measure the concentration of electrolytes.
Kidney stones are crystals formed as a result of imbalanced mineral levels in the urine. Causes can consist of genetics, excess calcium or other minerals in your diet, certain medications, or dehydration. Typically, treatment consists of drinking lots of water to pass the stone. Medical procedures may be needed to remove or break up larger stones. Sometimes following a special diet may help prevent more stones from forming. Other times, medications, in addition to a special diet, may be needed.
To register as an organ donor in the state of Ohio, visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles website. Nearly half of all drivers in Ohio are registered as organ donors. There are over 119,000 Americans and 3,000 Ohioans waiting for an organ transplant. Seventy-five percent of those people are waiting for a kidney.
If you have specific medical questions, speak with a physician or medical professional.