Renal failure,which is another term for kidney failure or kidney disease,occurs when the kidneyslose 85% or moreof their normal function. This is measured by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is how well your kidneys are filtering the blood.
Normal GFR ranges from 90 to 120mL/min/1.73 m2, and your kidney doctor has probably shown you your numbers. If you have received a diagnosis of kidney failure, you may be wondering how your nephrologist (a kidney doctor) will help you stay as healthy as possible.
Let’s talk about how a nephrologist can help you with your renal failure, and where you can go in the Greater Boston area to see an outstanding kidney doctor who can help you stay healthy and active.
How Does a Nephrologist Treat Renal Failure?
Renal failure can be one of two types: acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure starts abruptly and sometimes can be reversed. Contrast that with chronic kidney failure, which progresses slowly over a period of at least three months and can lead to permanent renal failure.
There is no cure for end-stage renal failure and, if left untreated, renal failure can be fatal. However, having renal failure is not a death sentence, and a skilled nephrologist can help a patient live an active life despite the condition.
To treat renal failure, a nephrologist will engage the patient in treatments that will fulfill the work usually performed by healthy kidneys. Typically, a kidney doctor will recommend dialysis or a kidney transplant as a renal failure treatment along with other options, such as medication, lifestyle changes, and dietary changes –including limiting certain foods and restricting your consumption of salt.
Dialysis
Dialysis involves removing the waste substances and excess fluid from the body, keeping a safe level of chemicals in the body, and helping to control blood pressure.
There are two types of dialysis, i.e., hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis:
- Hemodialysis –In this type of dialysis, a hemodialyzer (artificial kidney) is used to remove the waste from the body. For hemodialysis, the hemodialyzer is given access to your blood vessels so that blood gets into the hemodialyzer for filtration.There are three types of accesses your nephrologist can make for you:
- Arteriovenous (AV) fistula, a preferred type of access in which an artery and a vein are connected
- AV graft,a type of access in which a path is created between an artery and a vein by inserting a graft
- Central venous catheter, a plastic tube that is inserted into a large vein of your neck temporarily
Once the access point is created, the blood that is drained intothe hemodialysis machine is bathed in a dialysate solution. This removes the waste substances, and clean blood is returned to your bloodstream.
- Peritoneal dialysis – In peritoneal dialysis, the blood is cleaned inside your body. For this, your nephrologistcreates access by placing a catheter into your abdomen.
During the dialysis process, the abdominal cavity (also called the peritoneal cavity) is filled withdialysate through thecatheter. The blood stays in the blood vessels that line your abdominal cavity while waste product is being drawn out of your blood and into the dialysate.
Kidney Transplant
In a kidney transplant, your failed kidney is removed and replaced with a healthy kidney to do the work your own kidney can no longer do. A healthy kidney can come from a deceased or living matching donor. A successful kidney transplant allows you to live longer and without the need for dialysis.
Renal Failure Treatment in Southeastern Massachusetts
If you or a loved one has kidney disease and is seeking a lasting solution, don’t hesitate to visit us at Associates in Nephrology. Our highly experienced and compassionate kidney doctors are committed to providing you with an accurate diagnosis and successful management of your kidney disease.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with us, call us today at our location that is convenient to you, or fill out our online contact form.We look forward to serving you!
