You will need dialysis if you’re in stage 5 or end stage kidney failure. This is generally when you have a GFR of <15 or have lost about 85-90 percent of the kidney function. Dialysis can help your body remain functioning and balanced while your kidneys fail. Then how long is the life expectancy with dialysis?
Life Expectancy of Stage 5 Kidney Failure with Dialysis
It’s important to remember that end stage renal disease won’t be cured by dialysis, though it can prolong the patients' life. Good dialysis can mean another 3-5 years of life. Do not discontinue dialysis without your physician’s approval.
An exact idea of stage 5 kidney failure life expectancy with dialysis is dependent on many factors such as treatments, nursing care, patient’s constitution, cause of renal failure, mood, and complications.
In general, if the patients' urine output and complications stay managed, they will have a higher quality of life as well as a longer life expectancy. With end stage renal failure patients, urine is hope. It means that there is a chance to improve their kidneys because there are still functioning renal units.
In fact, few patients die from failed kidneys but rather from complications to other systems and organs. This is especially true of cardio-cerebrovascular complications. So improving renal function while preventing and treating complications is critical to improve life expectancy.
Most patients will be on dialysis for the rest of their life, at least until they can have a kidney transplant. With a successful kidney transplantation, they can see double or even triple life span than the stage 5 kidney failure life expectancy with dialysis.
How Dialysis Works
Dialysis will help do some of the job of the kidneys when they aren’t functioning correctly.
- Dialysis will remove extra water, salt and waste from your body.
- It can also help to control blood pressure and assist your body to make its red blood cells.
- Finally, it will help to maintain safe levels of vitamins and minerals in the body.
Two Different Dialysis Methods:
- Hemodialysis – Blood flows into an artificial kidney using an artificial tube.
- Peritoneal Dialysis – There is a solution passing through a catheter tube into your abdomen. There the solution will stay for some time and then removed. This can be done at work or home, or when travelling.
Other Treatments to Help Prolong the Life Expectancy
There are some things that can be done to treat end stage renal disease.
1. Kidney Transplant
A healthy kidney is placed in the patient’s body to replace the failed kidney. Your doctor will recommend you to a transplant center. There you will receive an evaluation from a special team. They will find out if you’re a good transplant candidate or not.
2. Immunotherapy
Besides prolonging stage 5 kidney failure life expectancy with dialysis, immunotherapy is another essential therapy. It can help regulate immune dysfunction and disorders, increasing the resistance to disease and the ability to protect kidney functions from possible damage.
3. Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy
This can help promote blood circulation and eliminate clots. It can also help increase the supply of nutrients, oxygen and blood to the kidneys. This can ease renal damages and help to recover renal functions and structure. Patients will see an ease in their symptoms and will be able to feel more comfortable.
4. Special Diet
You will need to stay on the special chronic kidney disease diet. Diet is a large part of treatment and you should work with a dietitian. Based on your lab results and dialysis treatment, your dietitian will help with a meal plan. He/she will explain why some foods are restricted and why others are recommended.
Lower cholesterol and saturated fat intake, especially if you have high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes.- Eat fruits, veggies and grains, while limiting and avoiding veggies or fruits with high potassium or phosphorus content such as avocado, cantaloupe, artichoke, etc.
- Limit foods that are highly processed, have lots of salt or are high in sugar, such as bacon, ham, sausage, etc. This is especially important to prolong stage 5 kidney failure life expectancy with dialysis.
- Shoot for a healthy weight with plenty of exercise.
- Lower calcium intake if needed.
- Limit fluid intake if needed.
- Increase protein when needed.
- Take renal supplements as prescribed.