MEDLEAD: Herzen verbinden, leben verbinden
DON’T LOOK BACK ON DIALYSIS
More costs, less lifespan
Have you ever thought about how dialysis helps you stay alive? Your nephrologist has probably told you exactly what it does. To list some of its functions:
- Removes and filters waste
- Directs blood to a machine to be cleaned
- Removes excess fluid from the blood
- Check your blood pressure
Dialysis does all this and more to keep you alive for a while. It’s truly a machine that can stabilize your condition. Unfortunately, many patients confuse the term “stabilize” with the word “improve.” But we’ll come to that later. First, let’s discuss the cost of dialysis.
The cost of dialysis generally depends on three factors:
- Type of insurance (Medicare or private)
- Stage of kidney disease
- Type of dialysis required
While dialysis services are covered by Medicare, other factors must be considered. According to doctor Sophie Wei, many people can even end up paying high fees, especially if it’s an emergency.
Now you might be thinking that dialysis isn’t so bad. Your condition is stabilized, but your kidneys aren’t recovering, and a normal lifestyle remains out of reach. Side effects like high blood pressure, fatigue, and muscle cramps interfere with your daily life. Instead, your blood is pumped through a machine that demands not only your time but also your life. This treatment is a constant reminder that dialysis is only a temporary solution, not a permanent cure.
The average lifespan of a dialysis patient is therefore usually around 5 years. Sometimes even less.
A better alternative
Have you ever thought about how dialysis helps you stay alive? Your nephrologist has probably told you exactly what it does.
Doctors have tried several alternatives to reverse end-stage kidney disease. Unfortunately, dialysis is a very profitable business for both hospitals and private companies that provide this service, so seeking an alternative may not be financially beneficial for them. This is where a kidney transplant can truly save your life.
Although a kidney transplant is a major surgery that requires a recovery period, it can give you the opportunity to live a longer and more fulfilling life compared to dialysis. The success rate for kidney transplants is 97% at the hospitals we work with. Research has also shown that performing it as early as possible extends the lifespan of the kidney. If you have been on dialysis for too long, the damage to your kidney can double and cause unwanted medical problems. This irreversibly reduces your chances of receiving a kidney transplant.
Here are just a few of the benefits of a kidney transplant:
- Live longer (a living donor kidney extends your life expectancy by 20–25 years)
- Ability to enjoy a better quality of life
- Less restricted diet
- Improved sex life and fertility
- No need for dialysis
- Fewer medical complications
- Reduced risk of death
The MedLead network of international transplant clinics around the world can help you undergo a kidney transplant today.
During the first year of dialysis, patients often feel much better. However, after this year, their health begins to deteriorate dramatically, and they experience extreme side effects. A kidney transplant can extend your life to more than 20 to 25 years. The choice is simple: Choose life.
Don’t risk your health with dialysis. Give yourself another choice. Choose a kidney transplant today.