Frequently asked questions

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you do not need dialysis. These early stages can last for many years. But if your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to keep you alive. (National kidney Foundation)

• Uncontrolled Type I and Type II diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny clusters of blood vessels that filter your blood)
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Long-term autoimmune attack on the kidneys
• Prolonged urinary tract obstruction

Avoid high sodium diet, avoid overuse of over the counter drugs, Control your blood pressure, control your diabetes, and know your family health history.

National Kidney Foundation guidelines recommend that you start dialysis when your kidney function drops to 15% or less — or if you have severe symptoms caused by your kidney disease, like shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle cramps or nausea and vomiting. Your doctor will help you decide, based on lab tests that measure how much kidney function you have left and on your symptoms.

The chance of your kidneys getting better depends on the cause of your renal failure. Kidney failure is divided into categories namely acute (sudden) renal failure which is often temporary and chronic renal failure the kidneys normally do not heal.