The main treatment options for kidney failure are dialysis and kidney transplant. Medications can help manage symptoms and complications. Each treatment type has pros and cons.
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), your kidneys can’t filter your blood as well as healthy kidneys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 37 millionTrusted Source people in the United States (about 15% of the U.S. population) have CKD.
Kidney failure is the last stage of CKD and happens when your kidney function has dropped to less than 15%Trusted Source of the typical level. You may also see it called end stage renal disease.
Keep reading to learn about your options for treating kidney failure.
Hemodialysis for kidney failure
Hemodialysis is a process in which a machine helps filter waste and excess fluids from your blood. This treatment can also help manage your blood pressure and mineral levels.
Before starting hemodialysis, you’ll have a minor surgery to make an opening, or access point, in a blood vessel, typically in your arm. This allows for easy removal and return of blood to your body during dialysis.
During dialysis, the machine removes blood from your body and passes it through a filter called a dialyzer. The machine then returns the newly filtered blood to your body.
You’ll typically have hemodialysis three times per week, with each session lasting about 4 hours. You may choose to have dialysis either at a dialysis center or at home.
You might not be able to have hemodialysis if there’s no easy access to your bloodstream or if you have unstable blood pressure.