Kidney transplant is often a better treatment option for kidney failure because it may allow you to live a fairly normal life. But there are some drawbacks: If no one you know can donate a kidney, the wait for a transplant may be long. You will probably need to have dialysis while you wait for a kidney. It may be difficult to find a good match for your blood and tissue types. Sometimes, even when the match is good, the body rejects the new kidney.

The cause of chronic kidney disease is not always known. But any condition or disease that damages blood vessels or other structures in the kidneys can lead to kidney disease. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease are: Diabetes. Diabetes causes about 35% of all chronic kidney disease. High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes damage blood vessels in the kidneys. If the blood sugar level remains high, this damage gradually reduces the function of the kidneys.

The best buffer to use is 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 2mM MgCl2, 4% sucrose; this buffer enables one to concentrate the virus to approximately 1 x 1013 VP/mL (viral particle/mL) without precipitation and provides very good stability for long-term storage and shipping. If the virus is to be used for animal studies, a buffer with glycerol should not be used since it is difficult to inject.

Yes. Please tell your social worker. We will need at least 30 days notice for Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.

Possibly. This will depend on several factors. Please discuss your particular situation with your renal team.

Peritoneal Dialysis uses the inside lining of your own abdomen as a natural filter to clean your blood. A surgeon places a soft tube called a catheter in your abdomen. A cleansing fluid called dialysate travels through this tube into your abdomen. Wastes and extra water pass into this dialysate fluid from your blood. After several hours, you remove this fluid from your abdomen through the same tube and start the cleansing process again.

You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure-usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function.

Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps your body in balance. Dialysis does the following: Removes waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body; keeps a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate; helps to control blood pressure.

You may have some discomfort when the needles are put into your fistula or graft, but most patients have no other problems. The dialysis treatment itself is painless. However, some patients may have a drop in their blood pressure. If this happens, you may feel sick to your stomach, vomit, have a headache or cramps. With frequent treatments, those problems usually go away. Back to top

Yes. Dialysis costs a lot of money. However, the federal government pays 80 percent of all dialysis costs for most patients. Private health insurance or state medical aid also help with the costs. Back to top

More than 220,000 Americans receive ongoing dialysis with approximately 87% of those receiving hemodialysis. Events leading up to the need for dialysis include loss of kidneys due to birth defects, injury or diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

There is a newly published booklet about Addenbrooke's Dialysis Unit. An online version will be available soon. You can get a copy by asking in the Dialysis Unit.

Cancer incidence and survival statistics are available from 1973, the first year SEER began collecting data, to 2004, the most recent year for which data are reported. SEER collects data from 18 population-based registries throughout the US, so incidence and survival statistics are available for just those covered areas, which comprise more than 25 percent of the US population.

An information type describes a category of topics, such as concepts, tasks, or reference. Typically, different information types support different kinds of content. For example, a task typically has a set of steps, whereas a reference topic has a set of customary sections, such as syntax, properties, and usage.

The best type of peritoneal dialysis for you depends on a number of factors, including your health history. Your doctor will recommend one of three types of peritoneal dialysis for you. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is the most common type of peritoneal dialysis. In CAPD a solution from a plastic bag enters the abdomen through a catheter. After about four to six hours the solution is drained out of the abdomen back into the bag, and replaced with fresh solution.

We are required to have a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) and be licensed by the State of Michigan. It depends. Yes if you have Medicaid. Not likely if you have private health insurance. Please talk with your insurance company or your social worker.

This is an important discussion to have with your nephrologist and social worker to explore the medical and psychosocial aspects of having a child while on dialysis.

It could. Your social worker can help in protecting your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We can also help with education and advocacy around Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and vocational rehabilitation.

Yes. Having a supportive family contributes to your adjustment to dialysis. Social work welcomes the opportunity to work with the whole family on issues and concerns related to your health.

Yes. Many patients resume the meaningful activities they have always enjoyed (work, travel, school, raising children/grandchildren, volunteering, gardening, etc) or find new ways to enjoy life.

Many people have a fear of needles, which can also be known as needle phobia. A person with needle phobia can often experience feelings such as anxiety and fear or have a physiological reaction such as fainting, shock or dizziness. These reactions can be caused by exposure to needles, or even the thought of needles or sharp objects.

Kidney failure can make travelling difficult but not impossible. You may be able to attend work and social events or enjoy a great holiday with careful planning. If you are thinking about travelling, it is important to first speak to your health care team about the effect that this might have on your health. If you are well enough, a holiday can be a great boost to your confidence and well being. Find out about medical costs in advance.