DEL.ICIO.USHEALTH / KIDNEY DISEASE
Facts: Kidney dialysis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
WHAT IS DIALYSIS?
Dialysis is a way to mechanically filter the blood to remove toxins and waste that are usually removed by healthy kidneys. It’s used for patients with end-stage renal disease whose kidneys no longer process waste properly. Dialysis patients are frequently also waiting for kidney transplants.
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HOME TREATMENT VS. CLINIC
Dr. Janice Lea, an Emory University nephrologist, says she steers her patients to home kidney dialysis when possible. Her diagnosis:
• Five shorter treatments a week at home frequently leaves the patient feeling better than three longer treatments a week at a clinic.
• It works best for people who are younger, in general better health and who have someone else at home who can be trained to help them.
• “It’s more convenient and gives them a better quality of life.”
KIDNEY DISEASE AT A GLANCE
• More than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, the precursor to end-stage renal disease.
• Nearly 500,000 Americans have end-stage renal failure. About 84,000 die of it each year.
• High-risk groups include people with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease. African-Americans are also at increased risk.
Source: National Kidney Foundation
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