Updated: 27-05-2025
Is Kidney Transplantation the Best Option for Kidney Failure?
What to choose, kidney transplantation or dialysis?
This is the first and foremost query that buzzes in the minds of people when they learn suddenly that they have kidney disease.
According to the experts, kidney transplantation is not considered a last resort; for individuals who meet requirements, it is considered the best option.
However, the lack of kidneys for transplantation means that alternatives like dialysis.
Treatments available for kidney failure
Two types of treatments are available for kidney failure.
One is dialysis, and the other is kidney transplantation.
Naturally, patients have concerns and fears about the treatment.
However, making the precise choice for their health and lifestyle is vital and should be done considering what’s best for the patient’s mind.
What is kidney transplantation?
Kidney transplantation is a surgical process that replaces the patient’s unhealthy kidney with another kidney provided by another person.
In the United States, over 9,000 kidney transplantations are performed each year.
When an individual’s kidneys fail, two treatment alternatives are made accessible: dialysis and kidney transplantation.
However, presumably the majority of people who prefer kidney transplants enjoy a high quality of life.
A kidney donor can be a deceased person or someone living.
During the operation, a healthy kidney is positioned in the lower abdomen and is linked to the patient’s bladder and blood vessels.
This operation may take around 3 hours, and the hospital stay may range from 5 to 7 days, depending on the patient’s health conditions.
After the completion of transplantation, the patient is given some specific medication to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney.
Both treatments, dialysis and transplantation, need medications.
Depending on the patient’s lifestyle and medical condition, they will be switched from one treatment to another.
An expert nephrologist helps patients decide which modality can suit or work for them.
Is Kidney Transplant Good For You?
In a bid to decide whether the kidney transplant treatment is the best treatment or not, it is suggested to consult people who have previously experienced a kidney transplant.
Patients are required to talk with the doctor and family members as well.
No guarantee is given with kidney transplantation.
Rejection of the organ may take place shortly, and in some cases, the primary cause of kidney failure can harm the new kidney.
There exist benefits as well as shortcomings for different types of kidney transplants.
Kidney transplantation is probably suggested for patients suffering from kidney failure and affected by:
- Serious, out-of-control high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Glomerulonephritis
People who choose transplantation have to get medication and be supervised by a physician who specialises in nephrology for the rest of their lives.
If an individual kidney fails, they can resume dialysis or think about a transplant.
They can also decide to stop treatment.
The significant choice of treatment relies on the individual’s recent health, their capacity to endure surgery, and their hopes for maintaining quality of life.
Experts suggest having talks about the options with the doctor, transplantation team, and family members to decide the best option.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Kidney Transplantation
The following are the Advantages of kidney transplantation
- It is just like your own kidney
- No food or liquid restrictions
- Dialysis is not required
- An effective kidney transplant improves quality of life and reduces the risk of dying.
The following are the Disadvantages of kidney transplantation
- May be susceptible to infections
- Required to take anti-rejection medicines
- A donated kidney can fail, and dialysis may be required
- Risks of surgery include bleeding, infection, and damage
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