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Do You Need 2 Kidneys

What Are The Signs That Your Water Intake Is Good

What You Need to Know about Kidney Transplants – Part 2

There is a thing that we have done to answer this question. The dustbin of a house indicates many things about the house owner or the person who lives there. Similarly, your urine is the dustbin that says a lot of things about your body.

For instance, foam in your urine indicates that you are passing much protein, and maybe you have any kidney disease.

Lets learn this point with one more example: if your urine is dark red and you feel irritation in passing it, it indicates urinary tract infection. UTI is one of the signs and causes of dehydration and kidney infection.

If you are passing lemonade or pale yellow colour of urine, you are healthy. On the other hand, if your urine is darker, you need more water. On top of this, colourless urine is dangerous because it is a sign of an overhydrated body.

Can You Live Without Your Kidneys

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Medically Reviewed by Transplant Services

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found just below the rib cage. Most people are born with two one on each side of the spine.

Your kidneys are two of the most vital organs in your body. They work to keep your blood stable, allowing your body to function properly.

Each day your kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood into urine. They prevent the buildup of waste and extra fluid, and produce hormones that help your body:

  • Regulate blood pressure
  • Build healthy and strong bones

What The Ultrasound Can Tell Us

Although your doctor will not always know how your baby will be affected at birth, he or she is less likely to have significant problems if:;

  • he or she is growing well in the womb

  • no other problems have been found, and

  • there is a normal amount of amniotic fluid.;

You may need to go back to the hospital for more ultrasound scans during the reainder of your;pregnancy .

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How Is A Kidney Biopsy Performed

The procedure typically takes about an hour and includes the following steps:

For people with bleeding problems, the health care provider uses a laparoscopea thin tube with a video camera. This procedure is surgery that requires general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision into the back and inserts the laparoscope to see the kidney. The surgeon can insert tiny tools through the laparoscope to collect tissue samples and can watch after the procedure through the camera to make sure that if there is any bleeding, he or she can stop it.

Symptoms Of Kidney Disease

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In order to understand the more common symptoms of kidney disease, it’s helpful to review the structure and function of the kidneys. Your kidneys are located on;your flanks, near your spine. Injuries to your back or side below your diaphragm may cause injuries to your kidneys.;Your kidneys perform several important functions. These include filtering your blood to remove toxins, maintaining the proper levels of electrolytes to ensure proper functioning of your cells, and maintaining fluid balance in your body.

If you become dehydrated, your kidneys initially work to restore the fluid status to your body, but kidney injuries may occur with prolonged or severe dehydration. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, the level of sodium and potassium in your body may be affected.;Electrolyte problems with kidney disease can be serious, Since the right amount of potassium is necessary for proper functioning of your heart, kidney problems may result in abnormal heart rhythms.;

Abnormal blood pressure, whether high or low can result in kidney damage. Kidney damage, in turn, can cause problems with regulating your blood pressure.

The kidneys are also responsible for making a hormone involved in the production of red blood cells. For this reason, kidney disease can result in anemia, a lower red blood cell count.

Some people have urinary problems, such as difficulty urinating. Occasionally people also have flank pain, due to the location of the kidneys.

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What Are The Risks For Kidney Transplant

As with any surgery, complications can occur. Some complications mayinclude:

  • Bleeding

  • Blockage of the blood vessels to the new kidney

  • Leakage of urine or blockage of urine in the ureter

  • Lack of function of the new kidney at first

The new kidney may be rejected. Rejection is a normal reaction of the bodyto a foreign object or tissue. When a new kidney is transplanted into arecipient’s body, the immune system reacts to what it thinks as a threatand attacks the new organ. For a transplanted organ to survive, medicinesmust be taken to trick the immune system into accepting the transplant andnot attacking it as a foreign object.

The medicines used to prevent or treat rejection have side effects. Theexact side effects will depend on the specific medicines that are taken.

Not everyone is a candidate for kidney transplantation. You may not beeligible if you have:

  • Current or recurring infection that cannot be treated effectively

  • Cancer that has spread from its original location to elsewhere in the body

  • Severe heart or other health problems that make it unsafe to have surgery

  • Serious conditions other than kidney disease that would not get better after transplantation

  • Failing to follow the treatment plan

There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Besure to discuss any concerns with your transplant team before theprocedure.

More Information About Organ Donation from Johns Hopkins Medicine

Whats It Like To Live With One Kidney

Most people have two kidneys, but some only have one. There are three main reasons why this could be:

  • A person is born with only one kidney.

  • About one in 750 people is born with only one kidney. The medical term for this condition, which is more common in men than women, is renal agenesis. Usually its the left kidney that is missing. Because it is possible to be healthy with one kidney, some people dont find out they have one missing until its discovered on an X-ray or sonogram.

  • A kidney has been removed due to health problems.

  • A nephrectomy the surgical removal of a kidney can be necessary if a kidney has been damaged by cancer or another disease, or injured in an accident.

  • A person donates a kidney.

  • Every year, thousands of people donate one of their kidneys to someone in need of a healthy one. The recipient is often a blood relative or someone whos close to the donor, such as a spouse or friend. Approximately 87,000 kidneys from living donors were donated from 1988-2008.

  • What precautions should people take if they have one kidney?

    Much of the advice that applies to living with one kidney goes for everybody: eat right, exercise, sustain a healthy weight, stay hydrated and get regular doctor checkups. However, there are special precautions that should be taken by someone living with a single kidney:

    What happens if the kidney starts to fail?

    Symptoms of kidney failure include:

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    Protecting Your Single Kidney From Injury

    If you have a single kidney, injuring it can be a big problem because there isnt another one to compensate. If the injury is severe and your kidney stops working completely, you would need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

    To avoid this, its very important to protect your single kidney from injury. Avoid contact sports that could lead to kidney injury. These include:

    • boxing
    • bungee jumping
    • skydiving

    Over the long term, unless your kidney gets injured, loss of function in your single kidney is usually very mild and unnoticeable.

    Most people with a single kidney dont need to follow a special diet, but like people with two kidneys, you should eat a healthy balanced diet.

    Staying normally hydrated and drinking when thirsty is better than overhydration or dehydration.

    If you have a single kidney because you had a transplant or if you have kidney disease, you may need to limit the amount of sodium, phosphorous, and protein in your diet. This is because your kidney cant remove them from your blood very well, so they build up.

    You may also have to limit the amount of fluids you drink.

    Talk to your healthcare provider about your nutritional needs and dietary restrictions.

    The Curious Case Of The Kidney

    How do your kidneys work? – Emma Bryce

    For those of you who dont know, most human beings are born with two kidneys, which are organs in the renal system. Kidneys are responsible for many important functions, including regulating electrolyte levels in the body, maintaining blood pressure and fluid balance, removing excess waste products produced by the bodys metabolic activity, and making it possible for us to urinate! Clearly, kidneys are important, and life would be a lot more difficult without them.

    That being said, there are many people who must go through life with only one kidney, which can happen for a few different reasons. Some people are born with only one kidney, suffering from a condition known as renal agenesis. The body adapts to this, however, and people usually lead normal, healthy lives. There is a higher risk of high blood pressure later in life, but that can be countered by conscientious lifestyle choices. Another condition, called kidney dysplasia, means that you were born with two kidneys, but only one works.

    Since people have two kidneys, doctors arent hesitant to remove one if it can help treat an injury or counter a disease, such as cancer. Provided the person recovers from the initial problem, they can go on to lead normal lives with a single kidney. Finally, people may have one kidney because they wanted to donate it; perhaps a family member needed a kidney transplant and they were a match. Kidneys are one of the most common organs to be donated and transplanted.

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    Can A Person With One Kidney Participate In Sports

    Physical exercise is healthy and good for you. However, it’s important for someone with only one kidney to be careful and protect it from injury. This recommendation applies to anyone with a single kidney, including people who were born with one kidney and people with a kidney transplant. Some doctors think it is best to avoid contact sports like football, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or wrestling.

    Wearing protective gear such as padded vests under clothing can help protect the kidney from injury during sports. This can help lessen the risk, but it won’t take away the risk. Talk to your healthcare provider if you want to join in contact sports. You should always think about the risks involved in any activity, and carefully consider whether the risks outweigh the benefits.

    Are There Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease

    Yes, there are five stages of kidney disease. The stages are based on how well your kidneys are able to do their job to filter out waste and extra fluid from your blood. The stages range from very mild to kidney failure . Healthcare providers determine the stage of your kidney function according to the glomerular filtration rate . Your GFR is a number based on the amount of creatinine, a waste product, found in your blood, along with other factors including your age, race and gender.

    Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
    Stage
    • Are African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian.
    • Are over 60 years of age.
    • Have a long history of taking painkillers, including over-the-counter products such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

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    Growing Up With One Kidney

    It is true, you can live with only one kidney. Some people are born with only one because the other one did not grow properly. Other times, the two kidneys touch each other when they are first growing and join together, making one kidney shaped like a horseshoe. People with these types of kidneys have to be very careful because they might get sick more easily than someone who has two kidneys.

    How Is Kidney Failure Diagnosed

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    Doctors use a variety of tests to measure kidney function and diagnose kidney failure. If your doctors suspect you may be at risk for kidney failure, they may recommend:

    • Blood tests, which can show how well the kidneys are removing waste from the blood.
    • Advanced imaging, which can show kidney abnormalities or obstructions .
    • Urine tests, which measure the amount of urine or specific substances in the urine, such as protein or blood.

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    Improving Your Kidney Function Can Be Simple

    So you see for many, improving kidney function doesnt need to be difficult. In most cases, simply by stepping to the side and getting out of your own way, checking your thoughts, fears, and excuses at the door, you can catalyse massive changes in your health, by simply allowing the healing to take place.

    Rubbing Lanterns Wont Help Improve Your Kidney Function, But Heres What Can

    Now stay with me I am not saying that that you can cure all by thinking just happy thoughts, wishing, and getting out of the way, no definitely not. There are many practical things you can do every day, with little to no fuss that are very effective in helping increase kidney function. Very helpful indeed.

    Note: thinking positive however sure wont hurt, in fact it will go a long way; your mindset is the single biggest determining factor on how quickly you heal.

    So in tune with todays theme of simplicity, I would like to share with you 10 effortless tips that can be applied immediately to help your kidney function, no need to leave home, and no need to spend a dime.

    Monitoring And Controlling Your Blood Pressure

    High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in your solitary kidney. If your kidneys blood vessels are damaged, they may no longer work properly. When this happens, the kidney is not able to remove all wastes and extra fluid from your body. Extra fluid in the blood vessels can raise your blood pressure even more, creating a dangerous cycle, and cause more damage leading to kidney failure.

    If your health care professional diagnoses you with high blood pressure, he or she may prescribe one or more blood pressure-lowering medicines. Medicines that lower blood pressure can also significantly slow the progression of kidney disease.

    Two types of blood pressure-lowering medicines, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors;and angiotensin receptor blockers , may be effective in slowing your kidney disease progression while also lowering your blood pressure. A health care professional may also prescribe a diuretic.

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    Why Do We Have Two Kidneys But One Liver

    Both the liver and the kidneys are involved in “cleaning” our blood. But why we have one liver and two kidneys? I can just as well imagine that we have two livers and one kidney. Is this just a coincidence?

    • 13$\begingroup$Most “why” questions are super vague, they need to be narrowed to some level of analysis to be meaningfully answerable, otherwise you’re likely to get answers that don’t really approach what you are thinking about at all, and that’s frustrating for everyone.$\endgroup$May 28 at 22:11
    • 6$\begingroup$In addition to being unclear and likely to answered with opinions, this is a duplicate of at least these twoother questions. As part of the expected prior research you should search on this site for similar questions before posting.$\endgroup$May 28 at 22:17
    • 2$\begingroup$All your organs come in pairs, with one major exception, the digestive tract and the outgrowths from it are singular. The real questions is why do you have two lungs. its the only organs that breaks the rules.$\endgroup$May 29 at 4:59
    • 1

    Your organs can be grouped into two categories.

    What Happens During A Kidney Transplant

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    A kidney transplant requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may varydepending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

    Generally, a kidney transplant follows this process:

  • You will remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown.

  • An intravenous line will be started in your arm or hand. More catheters may be put in your neck and wrist to monitor the status of your heart and blood pressure, and to take blood samples. Other sites for catheters include under the collarbone area and the groin blood vessels.

  • If there is too much hair at the surgical site, it may be shaved off.

  • A urinary catheter will be inserted into your bladder.

  • You will be positioned on the operating table, lying on your back.

  • Kidney transplant surgery will be done while you are asleep under general anesthesia. A tube will be inserted through your mouth into your lungs. The tube will be attached to a ventilator that will breathe for you during the procedure.

  • The anesthesiologist will closely watch your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.

  • The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

  • The healthcare provider will make a long incision into the lower abdomen on one side. The healthcare provider will visually inspect the donor kidney before implanting it.

  • The renal artery and vein of the donor kidney will be sewn to the external iliac artery and vein.

  • The donor ureter will be connected to your bladder.

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    How Does Peritoneal Dialysis Work

    It uses the lining of your belly to filter your blood. A few weeks before you start treatment, a catheter is placed near your navel. Once the area heals, youâll be trained on how to do PD since youâll be doing it yourself.

    Youâll use the catheter to transfer dialysis solution from a bag into your belly. This special fluid contains water with salt and other additives. It soaks up waste and extra fluids inside your body. After a few hours, youâll drain it out into a separate bag. This process is called an âexchange.â

    There are two kinds of PD:

    Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis : This uses a machine to do your exchanges.

    Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis : Youâll do your exchanges by hand.

    Youâll likely do four to six exchanges each day. Your doctor can help you decide which type fits your lifestyle. Some people do both.

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