Kidney disease is a serious health issue affecting millions worldwide. For these patients two treatment modalities exist : dialysis and kidney transplantation. While dialysis helps manage symptoms of kidney failure, kidney transplant offers a more permanent solution. Kidney transplant is a major medical procedure that involves replacing a patient’s deceased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. The new kidney takes over the work of filtering waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood, which the patient’s kidneys can no longer do.
This transplant involves the utilization of the kidney of a person who has just passed away and opted to donate organs. The individual is typically brain dead but has healthy organs. It's the most prevalent form and enables individuals with kidney failure to have a better life.
A living person gives one of his or her kidneys — usually a relative or close friend. People can live normally with one kidney, so donating one kidney is safe. These kinds of transplants work better and work longer.
This happens when a donor's kidney is not compatible with the one, they loved. They are paired with another donor and recipient pair in the same situation. The donors "swap" kidneys so both patients get a better match.
A kidney transplant, offers significant advantages over dialysis in terms of improved quality of life, better long-term survival, and more freedom from the constraints of frequent dialysis. It is important for nephrologists to provide proper eduaction to patients about the options available and help them make informed decisions regarding their kidney health.
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Kidney Transplant
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Dialysis
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Significant improvement in quality of life.
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Dialysis is time consuming. Patients have to spend 4 hours at center or at least 3 days a week.
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Kidney transplant allows patients to resume normal daily activities and avoid hours spent at dialysis center.
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Restricts daily routine activities.
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Patients with transplant live longer, sometimes even decades.
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Dialysis provides temporary relief from kidney failure leading to lower life expectancy.
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Renal transplant patients can reclaim their time & live more freely.
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Visiting dialysis centre three times a week interferes with family and social life.
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Lower risk of infections.
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Higher risk of infections because of dialysis catheter/fistula use.
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Better cardiovascular health.
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Dialysis can worsen heart conditions due to fluid imbalance and other factors.
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More cost effective in the long run
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Ongoing cost of dialysis, treatment and hospital stay is more in the long time.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, the majority can have a normal and active life after a kidney transplant. They can go to work, move around, exercise, and pursue their usual ways of life. The most essential aspect is drug intake on a daily basis and follow-up checks to keep the new kidney in good health.
The surgery is performed under anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain when undergoing the surgery. There could be some tenderness or soreness around the cut (incision) for a few days after the surgery, but this can be controlled with pain medication. Most individuals improve within two weeks.
There is no specific age limit for a kidney transplant. More important is the general health of the individual. Transplants are performed on individuals from children to even 70 or 80 years old, provided they are healthy enough for the procedure.
The cost of a kidney transplant varies depending on the country, hospital, and whether the donor is living or deceased.
In general:
A kidney from a living donor will typically last for about 15–20 years, and from a deceased donor for around 10–15 years, respectively. Other kidneys last even longer, depending on the health of the person and how well they maintain it.
Yes, individuals do survive 30 years or longer following a kidney transplant! This depends on their age at the time of transplantation, whether the body accepts the kidney properly, and whether they are able to maintain their health in the future.
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