If you are at risk or experience signs of kidney disease you will need to contact your physician. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of liquids. Take medicine only prescribed by your doctor and follow your doctor's directions exactly. Protect the kidney area by wearing proper sports equipment and by wearing seat belts. When kidneys fail, people with kidney disease commit the rest of their lives to dialysis treatment in order to stay alive.
Dialysis continues until patients receive a kidney transplant.
However, because there is a shortage of organ donors, and matches for kidneys can be difficult to find, many people die while waiting for a kidney transplant. A kidney might be donated by a relative with whom a match can be made. This kidney enables the patient to receive a live-donor transplant. This is called a cadaveric transplant. Two-thirds of those who need a kidney transplant do not have a relative who is a suitable donor.