How is end-stage renal disease (ESRD) managed?
Treatment options for chronic renal disease, which has no cure, include peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis or transplantation. Peritoneal dialysis uses an internal device within the peritoneal or abdominal cavity to remove the body’s waste products. Hemodialysis, which usually is performed at a dialysis center or hospital, removes fluids and waste products from the blood through a machine that acts as an artificial kidney. Since dialysis does not completely cleanse the blood, patients can experience fatigue and malaise, which can interfere with their lifestyles. For eligible candidates, successful kidney transplant can eliminate these problems.
