MAA-MEDIcare Kidney charity Fund

There are two main treatment options for individuals with end-stage kidney failure: dialysis and kidney transplant.

Dialysis is a method of removal of water and waste products through a membrane which acts as a replacement kidney. There are two forms of dialysis:

1. Peritoneal dialysis - here the peritoneal membrane (a membrane covering the abdominal cavity) acts as the replacement kidney

2. Haemodialysis - here a dialyser acts as an artificial kidney

Dialysis is not the perfect solution to replace all the functions of the kidney - it only removes water and waste products.

Kidney transplant is the only treatment available to fully replace all kidney functions. Here, one functioning kidney is transplanted from a donor to the patient. If successful the transplanted kidney will take over the function of the damaged kidneys. Unfortunately these patients would have to take lifelong medications to prevent their own immune system from rejecting the transplanted kidney.