Treatments

Depending on the stage and severity of the condition, there are a number of different treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD), including medication, dialysis and transplant.

  • Haemodialysis (HD)

    About haemodialysis treatment: how it works, who needs it, how it affects you, side effects, and sources of further information and support.

  • Peritoneal dialysis (PD)

    About peritoneal dialysis: what’s involved, different types of PD, how it works, benefits and drawbacks, and sources of further information and support

  • Transplantation

    Kidney transplantation is a treatment for severe kidney disease. It involves an operation to replace your damaged kidneys with a new kidney from either a living or deceased donor.

  • Conservative care

    We explain what conservative kidney management involves and what support is available to help you decide if it is the right treatment option for you.

  • Medication

    About medication for chronic kidney disease: types of medicines, things to be aware of, advice for buying over the counter, and sources of further information and support.

Patient information booklets in easy read format

Our free patient information booklets about chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), dialysis, receiving a kidney transplant and conservative care are available in easy read format to download as a PDF and to order as a printed booklet.

Order or download our easy read patient information booklets

Understanding CKD stages and treatment

The five stages of kidney disease indicate how well your kidneys are working. At each stage, your medical team will treat you to help keep your kidneys working as well as possible, for as long as possible.

Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast: treatments

  • Haemodialysis, Kidney failure, Peritoneal dialysis, Transplant

    A surgeon’s guide to kidney disease

    Transplant surgeon Dr Hannah Maple shares expert guidance and strategies for navigating kidney disease, from diagnosis to dialysis and transplantation.

  • Haemodialysis, Kidney failure, Living with kidney disease

    Demystifying haemodialysis

    Understand how haemodialysis works, how sessions are structured, and what happens when treatments are missed or cut short, as well as practical tips on managing the physical impact of dialysis, dietary considerations and more.

  • Health professionals, Living with kidney disease, Peritoneal dialysis

    Introduction to peritoneal dialysis

    Dee explores peritoneal dialysis, sharing her personal experiences and getting an expert perspective from Dr Lavanya Kamesh, a Consultant Nephrologist with a 15-year specialisation of peritoneal dialysis.

80 years of the ‘artificial kidney'

Kidney care has come so far, and dialysis treatments continue to save thousands of lives every year. From sausage skins to secret labs, here are ten facts about the history of dialysis you may not know.
A black and white photograph of four early haemodialysis machines invented by Dr Kolff, outdoors.

Latest treatment and medication news

  • News, Treatment and medication

    New study suggests changing blood tests could improve early stage kidney disease diagnosis

  • News, Treatment and medication

    First treatment for IgA nephropathy approved for use in Scotland

  • News, Treatment and medication

    Kidney Care UK welcomes guidance extending access to medication for high potassium levels

  • News, Treatment and medication

    Disappointment at NICE draft decision not to recommend a new drug for rare kidney condition