Can Dialysis Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term disease where the kidneys, over time, tend to lose their ability of filtering wastes and excess fluids from the blood and body. As the function of the kidney declines, waste material in the body builds up and affects overall health. CKD is categorized into five stages, with its intensity increasing as the level of kidney function reduces. Early stages are often asymptomatic, but symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, and high blood pressure become more pronounced in the progression of CKD. Early management of CKD is important in restricting its progression and avoiding complications such as end-stage kidney failure, which will require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Who's at Risk

Diabetes and hypertension are the two leading significant causes of injury to the blood vessels in the kidneys. Age is yet another factor because the performance of human kidneys decreases with time. Lastly, people who have a family history or come from certain ethnicities, for instance, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American, are at higher risk. Obesity and smoking further elevate the risk by contributing to conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which in turn damage the kidneys.

Diagnostic Methods

The diagnosis of CKD involves a number of tests and examinations to check kidney function. These include blood tests that indicate the level of creatinine, from which GFR, the primary indicator of kidney health, can be calculated. The urine tests can detect the presence of proteins such as albumin which is also a factor from which kidney health can be assessed.
The structure of the kidney can be visualized from imaging tests like ultrasounds and CT scans, whereas a biopsy of the kidney can be performed to find the cause and extent of the disease. Monitoring of blood pressure is also an important aspect, as hypertension is both the cause and consequence of CKD.

What is Dialysis and How is it Used

Dialysis is a kind of treatment that manages CKD by removing waste products, extra fluid, and toxins from the blood when the kidney is no longer in a position to filter them effectively. Blood is rid of all waste materials through a machine called a dialyzer, which removes the waste and extra fluids. This process is usually done three times a week at a dialysis center.

Can Dialysis Reverse CKD

Although dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for CKD, it does not reverse the condition. It cannot reverse the damage caused to the kidneys. It cannot return kidney function to normal, or cure the underlying disease. Dialysis replaces kidney function by removing toxic material and maintaining fluid balance without providing a cure for the underlying disease or stopping further progression. It is a supportive treatment, helping the patient manage the symptoms and issues while the disease progresses.

Kidney Transplant 

A kidney transplant is the surgical placement of a healthy kidney from a donor into a person with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). If successful, kidney transplantation would lead to the restoration of near-normal kidney function without any further need for dialysis, improving the patient's quality of life. Unfortunately, this poses some difficulties regarding the availability of donors and the lifelong need for immunosuppressive medications for the patients after the transplant procedure. But kidney transplant in India are very efficient and affordable for local and international patients.

It is a serious and threatening condition that needs early detection and management to slow its progression. While dialysis ranks top among the most important treatments for managing CKD, it never reverses the disease. A kidney transplant is the only option to improve the function of a kidney as the damaged kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney. The cost of kidney transplant operation in India is around 4 lakhs to 14 lakhs and it is very low compared to the cost of a kidney transplant in many Western nations.