Kidney Failure or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease.
- Acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working due to surgery, an injury or the use of certain drugs. People with acute kidney failure many regain their kidney function depending on the cause of the damage.
- Chronic kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are damaged slowly. This kind of long-term damage is not reversible. Most people with chronic kidney failure will require treatment to replace the function of their own kidneys. Current treatment options include peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) and kidney transplantation.
