Kidney and Urologic Diseases Treatment - National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure

Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure is a series of booklets and fact sheets developed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The booklets introduce the major treatment options, and the fact sheets focus on more specific complications and treatment issues.

Patient Education Booklets

		Kidney Failure: Choosing a Treatment That’s Right for You (Easy-to-Read) Provides a broad overview of the treatment options for a person facing kidney failure. Introduces hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation with a general description of each method and a list of pros and cons. Suggests questions for patients to ask a health care team. Discusses refusing or withdrawing from treatment and creating advance directives. Concludes with a list of resources for more information. PDF Version (832 KB) *
		En Español Insuficiencia Renal: Cómo escoger el mejor tratamiento para usted (Lectura fácil) Ofrece información general sobre las opciones de tratamiento para una persona que padece insuficiencia renal. Explica en qué consisten la hemodiálisis, la diálisis peritoneal y el trasplante renal, con una descripción general de cada método y un listado de los pros y los contras. Sugiere preguntas que los pacientes pueden hacer a su equipo de profesionales médicos. Aborda la decisión de rehusar o retirarse del tratamiento y la elaboración de instrucciones anticipadas. Termina con una lista de recursos informativos adicionales. Versión PDF (474 KB) *
		The Kidney Failure Glossary (Easy-to-Read) Defines more than 100 medical terms and concepts used by health professionals when talking about kidney failure. PDF Version (1,173 KB) *
		Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Hemodialysis (Easy-to-Read) Details the procedures and equipment involved in hemodialysis. Explains vascular access and dietary issues. Briefly describes some of the complications of kidney failure and lists resources for additional information. PDF Version (315 KB) *
		En Español Métodos de tratamiento para la insuficiencia renal: Hemodiálisis (Lectura fácil) Explica los procedimientos y los aparatos que se usan para la hemodiálisis, como también sobre el acceso vascular y temas nutricionales. Explica en un formato de fácil de entender, algunas de las complicaciones del fallo renal y una lista de recursos adicionales. Versión PDF (527 KB) *
		Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Peritoneal Dialysis (Easy-to-Read) Describes the procedures and supplies required for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Explains the differences between ambulatory and automated PD. Gives instructions about how to avoid possible problems. PDF Version (420 KB) *
		Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Transplantation (Easy-to-Read) Gives a step-by-step account of the process from the initial medical evaluation and placement on a waiting list to surgery, recovery, and maintenance with anti-rejection medicines. Covers organ donation and matching. PDF Version (569 KB) *

Patient Education Fact Sheets

		Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease Explains the causes of acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD), a common condition in people with kidney failure who are treated with dialysis. Details the differences between ACKD and polycystic kidney disease, an inherited condition. Describes diagnostic procedures and treatment options. PDF Version (224 KB) *
		Amyloidosis and Kidney Disease Describes primary amyloidosis, a disease that can lead to kidney failure, as well as dialysis-related amyloidosis, a disease that usually develops only after 5 or more years of kidney failure treated with dialysis. PDF Version (197 KB) *
		Anemia in Kidney Disease and Dialysis Explains the kidneys’ role in making red blood cells and how kidney disease can lead to anemia, which is the shortage of red blood cells. Discusses the diagnosis and treatment of anemia in kidney disease. PDF Version (522 KB) *
		Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder Explains how working kidneys contribute to healthy bones and why kidney disease can lead to bone problems. Covers the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), a complication that affects 90 percent of people on dialysis. PDF Version (278 KB) *
		Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure Briefly describes the Federal Government’s insurance program, which covers much of the cost of dialysis treatments and transplantation expenses. Lists additional sources of assistance and explains the role of the nephrology social worker. PDF Version (335 KB) *
		Hemodialysis Dose and Adequacy Explains the formulas used to determine whether a hemodialysis dose is adequate. PDF Version (315 KB) *
		Home Hemodialysis (HD) Discusses the differences between hemodialysis in a clinic and hemodialysis in the home. Explains the advantages of home hemodialysis and lists a few barriers that might prevent some people from taking hemodialysis in their home. Describes research involving more frequent hemodialysis. PDF Version (541 KB) *
		Kidney Failure: What to Expect Describes the complications of kidney failure and its treatment for patients who have just started dialysis. Discusses the symptoms of and remedies for anemia, loss of appetite, nausea, pruritus, sleep disorders, and depression. PDF Version (1.98 MB) *
		Peritoneal Dialysis Dose and Adequacy Explains the importance of performing all dialysis exchanges. Describes the procedures used to measure how well treatments are working. PDF Version (270 KB) *
		Vascular Access for Hemodialysis Defines vascular access and reviews three different access options. Describes what to expect during hemodialysis and lists ways to protect the access site. PDF Version (482 KB) *