Is Single Kidney Enough to Support You?
Single Kidney, Full Life: Myths, Facts & Must-Know Health Tips
Living Strong with Single Kidney: What You Need to Know
Protecting and maintaining the health of your single kidney is crucial because you won’t have a second kidney to take over if it fails.
You can keep your one kidney healthy by leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet and physician checkups.
How Does Having Only One Kidney Affect Your Life?
Enough blood can be filtered by one kidney to maintain normal bodily functions. Because of this you can live with just one kidney.
The guidelines for individuals with one kidney are identical to those for those with two kidneys.
- Taking a diet that is balanced.
- Getting regular exercise.
- Keeping a healthy weight level.
- Maintaining hydration and drinking water.
- Preserving healthy levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
- Undergoing routine physical examinations and kidney tests with your doctor.
- Understanding the medical history of your family.
- Asking your doctor about quitting smoking or refraining from smoking if you do.
Does Having Only One Kidney Cause Any Immediate or Long-Term Issues?
The majority of individuals with a single kidney lead normal lives free from both acute and chronic issues. The NKF states that one kidney can function just as well as two.
However you might: if your kidney fails which usually happens after 25 years or more.
- Experience hypertension or elevated blood pressure
- Have proteinuria or losing protein in your urine
- Preserve fluid
Your lack of a backup kidney to make up for a loss of function is the reason for this.
Your lifespan won’t be impacted if your kidneys lose some function which is usually not severe. However some people may develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is characterized by a progressive loss of kidney function.
Kidney dysfunction may be indicated by high blood pressure. Your kidneys blood vessels may be harmed which could exacerbate renal dysfunction.
Preventing Damage to Your Single Kidney
Take extra care to maintain the health of your one kidney. This includes:
- Preventing harm to it
- Avoiding potentially dangerous drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If you only have one kidney, damage to it can be very problematic because there isn’t another kidney to make up for the function loss. Dialysis or a kidney transplant will be required if the damage is severe enough to cause your kidney to stop functioning entirely.
Steer clear of any contact sports that might cause kidney damage. Although they reduce the risk, padding and other protective gear do not completely eliminate the risk of kidney injury if you do participate in contact sports. Steer clear of other high-risk activities or exercise extra caution when engaging in them.
Long-term loss of function in your single kidney is typically mild and undetectable unless your kidney is injured.
If You Only Have One Kidney Do You Need to Follow a Special Diet?
The majority of single-kidney donors are not required to adhere to a particular diet after donating one. A balanced diet is recommended for you just like for those who have two functioning kidneys. This entails consuming fewer highly processed foods and more fruits and vegetables.
It’s better to stay hydrated and drink water when you’re thirsty than to become dehydrated or overhydrated. However you might need to cut back on your fluid intake.
Because one kidney is unable to adequately remove the following nutrients from your blood you may need to limit them if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) in order to prevent accumulation.
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
- Protein
- Potassium
Additionally you may need to adjust your diet if you are managing diabetes or high blood pressure.
Discuss your dietary requirements and restrictions with your physician or a registered dietitian.
Read More : What Effects Does Vitamin C Have on Our Bodies?
Should Someone with One Kidney Consume Alcohol?
Several organs in your body including your kidneys are impacted by alcohol. Your kidneys wont typically be harmed by moderate drinking which is one drink per day for women and two for men.
You produce more urine when you drink alcohol and your kidneys capacity to filter blood is diminished. You become dehydrated as a result of this disturbance in your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.
Your kidneys and organs cannot function correctly if you don’t drink enough water which could eventually lead to irreversible harm.
Your fluid and electrolyte balance are also maintained by your liver. This balance is upset by liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption which makes it even more difficult for your kidneys to function properly according to the American Kidney Fund.
Alcohol has this effect whether you have one kidney or two but if you only have one working kidney it can cause kidney failure more quickly.
Read More : Hepatitis Awareness Month: Protect Your Liver, Protect Your Life
If You Only Have One Kidney Will Dialysis be Necessary?
Dialysis filters your blood eliminating waste and excess fluid and thereby fulfilling the role of your kidneys. It is only carried out when the majority or all of your kidney function has been lost either temporarily or permanently.
Dialysis should only begin if your kidneys have lost 85 to 90 percent of their function according to NKF. With only one kidney you typically have normal kidney function so dialysis won’t be necessary unless your kidney fails.
A healthy lifestyle does not require two functioning kidneys. As long as you take care of it by eating a healthy diet, visiting your doctor frequently and consuming less alcohol one can function just as well as two.
Maintaining the health of one kidney is more or less the same as maintaining the health of two.
Steer clear of sports that require contact and other activities that could harm one kidney. One of the most crucial things you can do to maintain its functionality is this.
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