If you have been diagnosed with CKD (chronic kidney disease), it means your kidneys are unable to perform their role and it gets worse over time. CKD is not curable, but there are various treatment options to preserve the function of damaged kidneys for at least some time. So, what is the latest treatment for chronic kidney disease? Let’s find out!
Chronic Kidney Disease: An Overview
When a person’s kidneys are irreversibly damaged, we can say that they have chronic kidney disease. And when that happens, who will take the responsibility to filter out wastes, excess water, toxins to purify their blood? Naturally, the overall health of the individual will only deteriorate over time. So, treatment is a must, and the two popular options to restore kidney function for a brief period are kidney transplantation and dialysis.
Did You Know?
Nearly15% of the U.S. adults have CKD or chronic kidney disease. Hence, around 37 million inhabitants of the United States are currently living with CKD.
Chronic Kidney Disease Causes
Type 2 diabetes and hypertension have been identified as the two main causes of chronic kidney disease. Many people have a common question: Is CKD hereditary? The answer is yes. Studies have revealed that kidney diseases often run in families and so do its risk factors (such as diabetes).
CKD Symptoms
Before we discuss the best chronic kidney disease treatment options, let’s have a look at the symptoms of CKD:
- the urge to pee frequently
- skin darkening
- high BP
- weakness and exhaustion even after taking rest
- loss of hunger
- bubbly or foamy pee
- itchy or dry kin
- shortness of breath
- puffy eyes
- insomnia
- muscle cramps
- vomiting or nausea
- trouble concentrating
- numbness
Note: During the early stages of CKD, symptoms generally do not appear. When the disease starts worsening, there are noticeable symptoms and if you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor at the earliest.
Dialysis to Slow Down the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease
Dialysis is a process that involves the usage of a machine to eliminate waste products from a human body. The two kinds of dialysis are peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is done by placing a dialysis solution directly into the abdomen with the help of a catheter.
There have been many dialysis advancements in recent years. For instance, peritoneal dialysis can be of two types: CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) and CCPD (continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis).
Hemodialysis, on the other hand, is a four-hour process and with this, a machine circulates the blood to remove the waste. It needs to be done three times per week and can be done at the patient’s home.
Kidney Transplant Treatment for Kidney Disease
Another type of chronic kidney disease treatment is kidney transplantation. It means the unhealthy kidney will be replaced by a healthy kidney. There are two ways to get kidneys for transplantation: from deceased donors and from living donors. Usually, living donors are close family members or friends. One can become a living kidney donor only if their kidneys are absolutely fine and they can live well even with one kidney.
As far as deceased donors are concerned, they are mostly organ donors. Also, finding a donor is not sufficient as the kidney has to be screened to decide if it is a suitable match for the patient. This step is crucial to prevent complications the transmission of diseases from the donor’s body to the receiver’s body.
Supportive Treatment for CKD
Doctors suggest supportive treatment to CKD patients when they decide they won’t opt for kidney transplant or dialysis after having a kidney failure. This kind of care is known as conservative or palliative care.
The aim of supportive treatment is to help the patient with chronic kidney disease management by easing the symptoms of end-stage kidney disease. So, palliative care encompasses psychological, practical, and medical care for persons with CKD and their families.
Many individuals choose palliative treatment when:
- it is too late to explore kidney transplant options and there is no certainty that the quality of life will get improved after the operation
- the patient wants to avoid the inconvenience caused by dialysis treatment which is time-taking
- the healthcare provider advises that dialysis isn’t right for them as they have other serious health complications and, in such cases, the treatment’s negative aspects can outweigh the benefits
- they been under dialysis for some time, and they wish to stop the treatment
- they are suffering from some cardiovascular disease and have the risk of a heart failure
In the above-mentioned scenarios, supportive care provided by an experienced kidney unit helps people with CKD expand their lifespan. During this phase, nurses and doctors will see that the person and its dear ones get:
- assistance in planning the expenses
- medicines to help the kidney perform its functions
- medicines that can provide relief from side effects of kidney failure like anemia, breathlessness, loss of appetite, and itchy skin
- bereavement support
Prevention
Before we conclude, we want to share some kidney disease prevention tips with you:
- Eat nutrient-rich meals and stay away from processed/ junk food.
- Monitor your blood pressure.
- Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes.
- Drink plenty of water on a daily basis.
- Keep obesity at bay by exercising daily.
- Take pain-relievers in moderation.
The Bottom Line
Therefore, what is the latest treatment for chronic kidney disease? By now the answer should be clear to you. If you would like to know more about any specific kind of treatment, it is better to consult a renowned nephrologist. Doctors are also the most reliable source to give you nephrology treatment updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the latest advancements in treating chronic kidney disease?
The newest CKD treatment innovationsare dialysis and transplantation. Based on the disease progression, doctors go ahead with one of these two treatment methods for adults with chronic kidney disease.
Q. Are there new medications available for chronic kidney disease treatment?
For people with chronic kidney disease, there is no such medicine that can cure them fully. However, medicines are available to support damaged kidneys and allow the person to live longer.
