Dialysis- an artificial kidney

Learning Objectives
1. To understand why kidneys fail. 2. To know what dialysis is. 3. To know how dialysis works.

Dialysis- an artificial kidney

Kidneys can be damaged in a number of ways;

1. By infections 2. Genetic problems 3. Accidents

Nick Cannon had mild kidney failure

For centuries if someone had kidney failure it would lead to death.

We can survive on one kidney very well, but total kidney failure would be fatal if not treated. But now there two methods to treat this, kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Liam has one kidney

Dialysis- an artificial kidney

If the kidneys have been damaged, toxins such as urea could build up. And salt and water balance can be lost.

1.
2.

With dialysis the blood leaves their body and flow between a partially permeable membrane.
On the other side of the membrane is dialysis fluid.

Dialysis- an artificial kidney

3. The dialysis fluid contains the same concentration of glucose and mineral ions as normal blood plasma so there is no net movement of glucose out of the blood.

4. It contains normal plasma levels of mineral ions so excess ions are lost from the blood.

Dialysis- an artificial kidney

5. The dialysis fluid contains no urea, so all of the urea moves from the blood in to the dialysis fluid.

http://www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk/site/HDanim.php

A dialysis machine works by,

Disadvantages of Dialysis
Have to follow a carefully controlled diet (amount of water) Have to have long sessions connected to a dialysis machine. Many years of dialysis means it can become difficult to control the balance of substances.

Advantage of Dialysis
It is about life rather than death.

 Kidney machines can keep patients alive until a transplant becomes available but they have several disadvantages: they are expensive the patient must have his or her blood connected to the machine for several hours every week patients must follow a very rigid diet to avoid complications they only work for a limited time for a patient

Kidney Transplants

Learning Objectives
1. To understand why kidney transplants are sometimes rejected. 2. To be able to explain, which one is better, dialysis or a kidney transplant.

 It is about life rather than death.

Kidney Transplants
If kidneys fail they can be replaced by a healthy kidney from a donor.

Problems with Kidney Transplants

Because the kidney comes from a different person, they will have different antigens on the surface. This means there is a possibility the kidney could be rejected by the immune system.

Reducing the risk of rejection

1. 2.

The tissue type is similar between the donor and the recipient and same blood group. Also the recipient will be given immunosuppresant drugs for the rest of their lives.

Immunosuppresant drugs the down sides

People who take these drugs means they can not deal with infectious diseases very well.

Dialysis vs Transplants
Advantages Once a person has had a transplant they can eat what they like. They do not have to spend long periods of time having dialysis.
Disadvantages There is a risk of rejection. Have to take immunosuppresant drugs for the rest of their lives. Regular check up to ensure kidney is not being rejected. Finding a donor as there is a lack of donors avaliable.