The medical abbreviation "ESRD" stands for "End-Stage Renal Disease". End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a medical condition in which the kidneys are no longer able to function effectively to remove waste and excess fluids from the body. ESRD is often the result of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that has progressed to a severe stage, but it can also be caused by other conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or polycystic kidney disease.
Patients with ESRD require ongoing dialysis or kidney transplantation to manage their condition and maintain their health. Dialysis is a medical treatment that involves using a machine to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, while kidney transplantation involves surgically implanting a healthy kidney from a donor into the patient's body.
ESRD is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires ongoing medical management and care. Patients with ESRD often require close monitoring and management by a team of healthcare providers, including nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, and social workers, to optimize their treatment and improve their quality of life.