End-Stage Renal Disease
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys can no longer function effectively. This condition occurs when the kidneys lose about 90% of their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. As a result, harmful substances build up in the body, leading to serious health complications.
Patients with ESRD typically require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Dialysis is a medical procedure that artificially removes waste and excess fluid from the blood, while a kidney transplant involves replacing the damaged kidney with a healthy one from a donor. Early detection and management of kidney disease can help delay the progression to ESRD.