Final answer:
When kidneys fail, kidney dialysis replaces their function, with hemodialysis being a common method. Medications can manage symptoms but not replace kidney filtration. A kidney transplant is the only permanent solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the kidneys fail, there is a critical loss of their ability to filter waste from the blood, balance electrolytes, and manage fluid levels in the body. This condition is known as kidney failure or renal failure. In such a scenario, kidney dialysis takes over the function of the kidneys. Kidney dialysis is a medical procedure that filters the blood, removing wastes and excess fluids using a machine when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these vital tasks. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney or dialyzer is used to remove waste, extra chemicals, and fluid from the blood. To get the blood to flow to the artificial kidney, the patient needs to have an access, usually in the arm. Hemodialysis is often done three times a week and lasts for about four hours per session.
Medications can supplement the treatment by managing symptoms and complications caused by kidney failure, such as high blood pressure, anemia, and bone disease. However, they do not replace the filtration function of the kidneys. The only permanent solution to kidney failure is a kidney transplant, for which a compatible donor is necessary.