Transplantation in Acute Renal Failure

Transplantation in acute renal failure involves surgically placing a donated and healthy kidney in the patient’s body. Since life can be maintained with a single kidney, only one is required for transplant. A successful transplant has the benefit of freeing the patient from the burden and inconvenience of regular and costly dialysis treatments.

Transplant kidneys may be donated by living individuals or obtained from cadavers (nonliving donors). They may come from close blood relatives, or the donors may be totally unrelated. Just the same, donors and receivers must have tissues and blood types that are closely matching for the organ to be accepted. For this purpose, a series of mandatory tissue and blood typing tests is required to ascertain the perfect “match.”

Because of the risk of rejection, transplantation in acute renal failure necessitates the daily administration of special medications as well as close monitoring by the medical team. The duration that a donated kidney will function differs with every patient and can depend on a number of factors. Nonetheless, transplantation in acute renal failure radically frees the patient from regular dialysis treatments and allows him or her to return to the conveniences and enjoyments of a normal life.

Home Treatment of Acute Renal Failure

Home treatment of acute renal failure patients whose kidneys are not yet completely recovered normally require a special diet so as not to tax the still recovering kidneys. Ordinarily, a dietician would be employed to work out the best diet for their needs.

Home treatment of acute renal failure depends largely on the extent of damage to the patient’s kidneys, the other diseases that the patient may suffer from and whether the patient is undergoing dialysis. At any rate, the patient may need to regulate intake of minerals and fluids as well as limit ingestion of protein. In general, the patient will need to observe the following:

• Limit salt intake, which can cause retention of water, increasing the risk of heart failure, high blood pressure and pulmonary edema.
• Regulate potassium intake as it can cause irregular heart rhythms and muscle weakness.
• Regulate phosphorus intake as too much phosphorus can weaken the bones.

Generally, Home treatment of acute renal failure patients who are on dialysis engenders some truly special needs.