Kidney transplant

A number of conditions can cause the kidneys to fail. These include diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), polycystic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis (damage to the part of the kidney that filters blood). Although renal failure can be managed with regular dialysis for some time, there are some limitations of this treatment, and it often places constraints on people who have to commit to it. A kidney transplant can be life-changing option for many people who are suffering from chronic kidney disease and renal failure. Kidneys for transplant are sourced from live donors or deceased organ donors. All organs for transplant need to meet certain criteria, both in terms of the quality of the organ itself and its compatibility with the patient. Those who receive a transplanted kidney will also need to take a number of long-term medications to prevent the body rejecting it.

Although it is a life-changing procedure, transplant surgery comes with risks related to both the procedure and the medications used afterwards. Sometimes a second or even third transplant may be needed. If there is organ rejection or failure of the transplanted kidney, further dialysis may become necessary.