End Stage Renal Disease

Term Paper # 101856

Medical and Health > Medical Studies

This paper discuses treatments for end stage renal disease.

1,870 words () | 8 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that dialysis is a treatment for end-stage renal disease, in which a machine is used to act as the patient's healthy kidneys. The author describes two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The paper recommends kidney transplantation where the patient receives a new kidney, either from a living or deceased donor. The author points out that kidney transplant patients have been shown to live as long as the average non-transplant patient without the burden of spending large amounts of time on dialysis. The paper relates that, while both treatments are covered eighty percent financially by the federal government end-stage renal disease program, the cost is higher for patients with dialysis than for transplantation. The paper states that no action is sometimes chosen by the patient who feel that the burdens of dialysis or transplantation outweigh the benefits.

From the Paper:

"Kidney transplantations come with some complications and stresses. Waiting for the transplant can cause stress in patients. The National Kidney Foundation says that over 73,000 people are on the waiting list, and twelve of those people die every day waiting for a kidney. Anti-rejection medications lower the immune system allowing for higher susceptibility to illness. Although severe transplant rejection occurs in less than twenty-five percent of patients, patients are required to take anti-rejection medication daily according to MedicineNet, Inc."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Dialysis Vs Kidney Transplant." MedicineNet, Inc. 23 Apr. 2002. 10 Feb. 2008 <medicinenet.com>.
Gatchalian, Raul, and David Leehey. "Mortality Among Patients on Dialysis, Patients on Dialysis Awaiting Transplantation, an Transplant Recipients." The New England Journal of Medicine 342 (2000): 893-894.
"Kidney Disease." National Kidney Foundation. 02 Jan. 2008. 06 Feb. 2008 <http://www.kidney.org/>.
"Kidney Transplant Surgery." University of South Carolina Department of Surgery. 24 Mar. 2004. 08 Feb. 2008 <http://www.kidneytransplant.org/>.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis. What is the Difference?" Kidney and Urinary Tract. 27 Oct. 2006. Mayo Clinic. 09 Feb. 2008 <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hemodialysis/DA00093>.