Results of Dialysis

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The removal of waste products is essential for life. Dialysis allows life to continue after kidneys have â€˜failedâ€™. However it is not as efficient as a human kidney. So people with kidney failure usually need to restrict their intake of fluid and of certain foods. They also require additional medicines.

Life expectancy is reduced for people on dialysis. A kidney transplant can result in better replacement of the actions of our own kidneys, compared with dialysis.

Many people receiving dialysis can go to work and lead normal lives, and it is normally possible to go on holiday, and arrange to get dialysis somewhere near to your holiday destination.

Men have slightly reduced fertility on dialysis, but it is unusual for women successfully to have children if they are on dialysis. Fertility usually returns to normal after a successful kidney transplant.

If you have complete kidney failure then your life expectancy will be decreased, but the exact likelihood of dying depends on whether there are problems with other parts of your body, especially the heart and the circulation. If you have complete kidney failure, then you should ask your specialist for guidance on what to expect.