Skip to Main Content

End-Stage Renal Disease

icon: medical

Your kidneys filter all the blood in your body every 30 minutes. They remove wastes, toxins, and excess fluid. They also help control blood pressure, stimulate production of red blood cells, keep your bones healthy, and regulate blood chemicals that are essential to life. ESRD is the final stage of kidney disease where your kidneys no longer work as they should to meet your body's needs. When the kidneys lose their filtering abilities, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in your body. Those with ESRD need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.

icon: checkmark

If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, you can try to slow its progress by adopting these healthy practices:

  • Adopt a balanced, nutritious and low-sodium diet; limit your protein intake
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Control your blood sugar
  • Control and manage your blood pressure
  • Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor
  • Check your cholesterol levels annually
  • Try to stay active every day
  • Do not use smoking or tobacco products
  • Get regular medical checkups
icon: treatments

  • Kidney Transplant: A surgical procedure that removes a healthy kidney from a live or deceased donor and implants it into someone with ESRD. It takes one donated kidney to replace two failing kidneys. A transplant can extend the patient’s life span and quality of life. However, it carries the risk of blood clots, infection and rejection of the donated kidney. It may not be an option for those of advanced age, abuse alcohol or drugs or have been diagnosed with cancer or severe heart disease.
  • Dialysis: A dialyzer (a filtering machine) performs the function of your kidneys when your kidneys can't do it themselves. This device removes extra fluids and waste products from your blood, restoring your electrolyte levels and helping control your blood pressure.
icon: resources

  • National Kidney Foundation: A nonprofit, patient-centered organization dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases and improving the availability of organs for transplantation. It is the largest organization dedicated to addressing kidney disease in the U.S.