Everything You Need To Know About Kidney Transplantation

Millions of patients die every year due to kidney failure. According to current reports, around 12% of the population worldwide is affected by severe kidney disease. It is estimated that number of patients with kidney failure will rise terribly in upcoming years. Kidney dialysis & kidney transplantation are the two major treatment methods used for managing kidney damage & restoring functionality of kidneys.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease shows no compelling signs & symptoms in its early stages. Several possible symptoms of kidney disease that can be observed in advanced stage include the following.

• Poor appetite
• Foamy urine
• Puffy eyes
• Extreme tiredness
• Weakness
• Difficulty in urinating
• Dry & itchy skin
• Shortness of breath
• Dark urine
• Frequent urination sensation
• Swollen hands, abdomen & feet
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Increased thirst

Early detection & prompt medical treatment is the key to avoiding the chances of kidney failure.

Treatment Options for Kidney Failure

Most common & effective treatments for kidney failure can be elaborated with the help of following points.

• Dialysis - Kidneys are responsible for purifying nearly 1,500 liters of blood by eliminating toxins & waste products every day. Dialysis is an artificial method which adequately filters the blood when kidneys fail to work. There are several risks & complications associated with the procedure of dialysis. Dialysis requires longer duration of time & frequent clinical visits. Generally, surgeons do not suggest dialysis to elderly patients or patients with severe medical issues.
• Kidney Transplantation - A kidney transplant can be defined as a procedure of implanting a healthy kidney in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

Anyone with a healthy kidney & sound medical status is eligible for kidney donation. The person who donates a kidney is referred to as ‘donor’ while a patient who receives a healthy kidney is termed as a ‘recipient’. Not everyone with a kidney disease is eligible for undergoing a kidney transplantation.

Eligibility for a Kidney Transplant

Generally, patients with the following health conditions are not considered as good candidates for a kidney transplant.

• Patients suffering from chronic illness
• Patients with cancer, lung or heart diseases
• Current or recurring infection
• Severe obesity (BMI more than 40)
• Poorly managed mental ailments
• Current alcohol or drug abuse
• Patients with weak immunity system
• History of poor compliance with dialysis treatments or medications

Surgeons will thoroughly evaluate patient’s health condition before deciding to perform kidney transplantation. Surgeons may recommend various imaging tests like x-rays, kidney biopsy & ultrasound for detecting the underlying status of patients. Surgeons will determine the eligibility of patients for undergoing a kidney transplant depending on the diagnosis reports & medical history of patients.

Economical Kidney Transplantation Surgery in India

India is one of the leading nations facilitating a massive number of healthcare services to international patients. Availability of top-class treatments & surgeries for chronic kidney diseases has made it most desired healthcare destination. Kidney transplant surgery cost in India is within the reach of common people. It is just a fraction of money that global patients may have to spend in other developed nations like Australia, Canada or US.