If your kidneys stop functioning as they should, you will typically be able to choose between sticking to dialysis or opting for a transplant. Understanding the difference between these two treatments is very important before you make a decision.

In an article that Serban Constantinescu, M.D., Ph.D., wrote for Temple Health, he explains that dialysis is often temporarily implemented until someone can receive a kidney from a donor. Basically, this process acts as your body’s artificial kidney until you can get the real thing. He adds that many people find dialysis to be incredibly time-consuming. “Our patients sometimes find dialysis to be restrictive because appointments and maintenance take up a lot of time,” Constantinescu writes, adding that it’s important to keep in mind that, while dialysis is pretty effective, it isn’t able to exactly replicate the function of your kidneys. You will constantly need to be monitored by your doctor to ensure your body is staying healthy while on dialysis. This can have a significant impact on the quality of your life, and Constantinescu says that this is one of the many reasons people opt for kidney transplants.