Kidney Failure
Kidney failure means the kidneys can no longer clear waste and fluid well enough on their own. There is usually more than one path forward.
When function falls far enough that replacement therapy enters the conversation.
On this page
- Recognising kidney failure
- The three broad options
- Deciding without rushing
Recognising kidney failure
Symptoms often appear late — swelling, breathlessness, fatigue, appetite loss. Lab values usually tell the story earlier than symptoms do.
The three broad options
Dialysis, transplant, or conservative supportive care. Each has trade-offs in lifestyle, cost and long-term outlook that should be discussed openly.
- Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
- Transplant, where a suitable donor and medical fitness allow
- Conservative management, where treatment burden outweighs benefit
Deciding without rushing
Except in emergencies, most families have time to gather a second opinion and compare options properly.
Read more on this topic
Clinical detail on this page is deliberately general. Specific protocols, timelines and figures will be added once they are confirmed with the treating hospital and reviewed by a nephrologist.
What patients usually read next
Request a second opinion
A second review from a transplant nephrologist can confirm your current plan or open an option nobody mentioned. Either outcome is useful.