Finding out you have kidney disease can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. Great treatments are available, and by making a few adjustments, you can effectively manage the disease.

Follow a customized diet plan to keep your kidneys healthy.
Talk to your doctor about safe, regular walking or workouts.
Keep a detailed log of your prescriptions and avoid painkillers.
Discuss future care options and build a supportive home team.
You may have some discomfort when needles go into your body, but the dialysis treatment itself is painless. Many patients feel tired and weak before and after treatments, or may experience a drop in blood pressure. Usually, these problems go away as you have treatments more often.
If you have acute kidney failure, you may only need dialysis for a short time until your kidneys get better. However, if you have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you will need to have dialysis treatments for the rest of your life, unless you are able to get a kidney transplant.
Unfortunately, no one can give a definitive answer. It depends on many factors, and each individual is different. However, with proper medical management, your doctor will be able to help you stay healthy and maintain your quality of life for as long as possible.