End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and the Prospects for a Machine Free Life

Authors

Robert W. Hanson, University of Northern IowaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the term used by nephrologists describe cases of renal failure that have progressed to the point where continued viability depends on a substitution for kidney function. A generation ago ESRD was a terminal condition because there was no substitute for kidney function. Survival time depended on factors such as age -the presence of complicating diseases such as diabetes. Today, dialysis technologies are available that promise many additional years for ESRD patients. Kidney transplants have become fairly common but are preceded by some form of dialysis or followed by some form of dialysis in the event of transplant rejection. Except in unusual circumstances, the kidney transplant is not considered an option for persons past the age of fifty-seven. As a matter of fact, a form of treatment for ESRD is considered too expensive in some countries to be an acceptable part of nationally-financed health programs. In those countries, ESRD continues to be a terminal condition.

Publication Date

Spring 1985

Journal Title

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Volume

22

Issue

1

First Page

2

Last Page

5

Copyright

© Copyright 1985 by the Iowa Academy of Science

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Hanson, Robert W. (1985) "End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and the Prospects for a Machine Free Life," Iowa Science Teachers Journal: Vol. 22: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/istj/vol22/iss1/2