Research Question
What is dialysis, why is it needed, and how does it work? How does kidney transplantation work, and what are the terms donor, recipient, and rejection? How can the risks of rejection be reduced, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of dialysis and kidney transplants?
Background
Kidneys are vital organs that filter waste products from the blood and regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. When the kidneys fail to function properly, waste products and fluids can build up in the body, leading to a range of health problems. Dialysis and kidney transplantation are two treatment options for patients with kidney failure.
Hypothesis: Dialysis and kidney transplantation are effective treatments for kidney failure, but each has advantages and disadvantages. Kidney transplantation is preferred over dialysis because it offers better long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients.
Methodology:
- Research the anatomy and function of the kidneys, including their role in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
- Investigate the causes of kidney failure, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and other medical conditions.
- Research the principles and mechanisms of dialysis, including types of dialysis, such as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- Investigate the steps involved in dialysis treatment, including patient preparation, access to treatment, and post-dialysis care.
- Research the principles and mechanisms of kidney transplantation, including donor selection, recipient evaluation, and immunosuppressive therapy.
- Investigate the terms donor, recipient, and rejection in the context of kidney transplantation.
- Suggest ways to reduce the risks of rejection in kidney transplantation, including matching donor and recipient tissue types and using immunosuppressive therapy.
- Create a table to summarise the advantages and disadvantages of dialysis and kidney transplantation.
Assessment Criteria
| GRADE | I HAVE… |
| 6 | Identified some diseases that can affect the kidney |
| 7 | Described what causes these diseases and how the body is affected |
| 8 | Explained how they can be treated |
| 9 | Compared the effectiveness of each treatment method |
Summary of Expected Results
The study is expected to show that dialysis and kidney transplantation are both effective treatments for kidney failure, but each has advantages and disadvantages. Dialysis is a temporary solution that requires frequent treatments and has limitations in terms of restoring kidney function and quality of life. Kidney transplantation offers better long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients, but requires a suitable donor, has risks associated with immunosuppressive therapy, and may involve rejection of the transplanted kidney.
Dialysis and kidney transplantation are two of the main treatment options for patients with kidney failure. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products from the blood and regulating the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. When the kidneys fail to function properly, waste products and fluids can build up in the body, leading to a range of health problems. Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other medical conditions can all contribute to the development of kidney failure.
Dialysis works by removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood through an artificial kidney. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis, which involves using an external machine to filter the blood, and peritoneal dialysis, which involves using the lining of the abdomen to filter the blood. Although dialysis can be an effective temporary solution, it requires frequent treatments and has limitations in terms of restoring kidney function and quality of life.
Kidney transplantation, on the other hand, offers a more permanent solution for patients with kidney failure. It involves transplanting a healthy kidney from a donor into the recipient’s body. Donor selection, recipient evaluation, and immunosuppressive therapy are all critical factors in the success of kidney transplantation. However, there are risks associated with the use of immunosuppressive therapy, and the transplanted kidney may be rejected by the recipient’s immune system.
The first successful kidney transplant was performed in 1954 by a team including Joseph Murray, the recipient’s surgeon, and Hartwell Harrison, surgeon for the donor. Murray was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990 for this and other work.
Practical Science 