Q.
Is there a cure for CKD or ESRD?
A.
There is no cure for CKD or ESRD. However, there are ways to manage CKD and ESRD that can help those who have these diseases live a full, productive life. If you have CKD, it’s important to have regular checkups. With early diagnosis and treatment, you may be able to slow the progression of your disease.
Q.
What are the different types of dialysis treatments for kidney disease?
A.
There are 2 main types of dialysis—hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)—and each has different advantages, requirements and scheduling options. Depending on your health, lifestyle and other factors, you and your doctor should decide which type of dialysis is right for you.
Hemodialysis
The word hemo means “blood” and dialysis means “filter.” Simply put, hemodialysis is a process where blood is filtered outside the body by a machine called a dialyzer or “artificial kidney,” and then returned to your body.
Peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis gets its name from the lining of your abdomen, which is called the peritoneum. This lining is a membrane that surrounds the space in your abdomen called the peritoneal cavity. This natural lining can be used to filter your blood.
Q.
What is chronic kidney disease?
A.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a term used to describe kidney damage or reduced kidney function (regardless of the cause) that persists for more than 3 months. Sometimes, CKD leads to kidney failure or end stage renal disease (ESRD), which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to keep you alive.
Q.
What is dialysis?
A.
Put simply, dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood. It is a medical treatment for people with ESRD that does some of the work healthy kidneys would do, including:
Removing waste, salt and extra water from your body
Regulating your body’s fluid balance
Helping to control your blood pressure
Q.
What is end stage renal disease?
A.
End stage renal disease (ESRD) is total and permanent kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful waste builds up. If you have ESRD, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
