For me, early detection will be key. Patients who have early detection of kidney disease have a better overall prognosis through getting earlier treatment (Black, et al., 2010). Furthermore, knowing what exacerbates the condition in different presentations of kidney disease will modify my life selections; for example, I must be particularly aware of the effects of antibiotics on my kidneys and work with my doctors to select medicines with low impact on the kidneys given my family history for the condition (Loh & Cohen, 2009).

Yet given my family history to development of the condition, I am reassured to some extent that the existence of the technology of dialysis can afford me a way to continue to live. There are many organ failures that without a transplant end in certain death, such as heart failure, lung failure, and liver failure. There is no relative treatment for those organ failure conditions such as there is for kidney disease.

Conclusion

Kidney disease is a failure of the kidneys to effectively filter wastes and toxins out of the blood; left untreated, the condition can lead to secondary conditions as well as total kidney failure. The medical technology of dialysis allows the patient with kidney disease to continue to live with their condition in a manner that while incorporating the treatment, still offers some quality of life in terms of being active in their environment to a significant degree. My own family history predisposes me to the condition, which through awareness and education I can learn how to mitigate the onset of the disease, and if it does manifest, be aware of the treatment choices and impacts of those that currently exist.

References

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National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2011). Kidney and Urologic Diseases Statistics for the United States. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kustats/

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Source: NKUDIC