There is no much information about the dangers long term resulting from a kidney donation, a large percentage of cases can lead a completely normal and healthy life, if you only have one kidney.
When a kidney is removed, the other increases its capacity, which is called compensatory growth. There are studies indicating that the kidney can operate at 70% in the first 11 days, and up to 80% on a long term follow-up, one of the dangers after the donation is suffering from high blood pressure.
There are studies that show that a person who has donated a kidney, presents a slight hypertension with the passage of the years, i.e., it is a consequence in the long term, so we know now which the main risk is for kidney donors.
When a person has hereditary factors by which is thought got kidney failure, you will have priority in the kidney transplant waiting lists.
However, it is possible you would be subjected to treatment with dialysis for some time while waiting for a kidney.
Other latent danger is during a pregnancy, when a woman donates a kidney and then gets pregnant, there is a greater risk to suffer from gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension, pre-eclampsia and even pregnancy can be interrupted. So, if you plan to have a family, it is important to comment with the transplant team this fact, in order to have orientation subsequent to donation.
What to wait after a donation?
Most of the people who have donated a kidney, feature that it has been a positive experience. There are studies indicating that 90% of the donors, they would make the decision to donate again.
There are donors who have referred to feel anxiety, also depression after donating, feelings of anxiety can arise from the concern that is on outcomes of who receives his kidney.
Feelings of anxiety tend to be frequent and it’s nothing otherworldly, even if the donor and the recipient are in perfect condition.
The process of evaluation to know if you are able to donate a kidney in occasions can be so stressful due to the time delay carried the same, causing it be not possible to the donor to process their feelings.
Therefore one can say that it is normal to present this type of feelings, when this is happening. It is important that the donor informs the transplant team how it feels in this regard, because without a doubt your emotional health is really important.
If after the donation you feel the need to talk, but it is not easy for you, we recommend:
– talk to the social worker at the hospital where transplantation has been performed.
– Look for advice outside the hospital that helps manage their emotions.
-Search for conducted support groups from living donors that can share an experience they already lived or are living.
Myths about the donation of organs.
In United States more than 100,000 people are waiting for a transplant. And unfortunately not everyone can reach it before it reaches the death.
In fact it’s said that approximately 21 patients die due to the lack of a donated organ. It is very difficult to think about what will happen to your body when you die, and not to mention if you have given permission to donate your organs.
But, let us tell you say that accepting to be organ donor is a generous gesture and that, even if you don’t see it, you are saving many lives.
Therefore, and based on this, we invite you to consider organ donation if you’ve not yet decided being a donor, sometimes bad information can be the cause that you take different choices even when they goes against your wishes.
Let’s see what are the most common myths about organ donation and we will try to give answers.
Myth: If I am an organ donor, will the hospital staff not strive to save my life?
Reality: Professional ethics do not allow such actions, staff are obliged to ensure the interests of their patients and the greatest interest of every patient is to preserve health and life.
Myth: I might be not completely dead when i sign my certificate
Reality: When you are an organ donor, different tests are done to make sure that there is no activity and that you are really dead.
Myth: Donating organs goes against my religion
Reality: Most religious cults agree on organ donation, if not sure you can ask people in your congregation before you become a donor.
Myth: I’m under age I can’t make that decision
Reality: In a legal sense it is true, but the tutors can make the decision for you, of course, only if you express your desire to be a donor, people of all ages are in need of donors, even children.
Myth: For people who have donated organs it is not recommended that they have the coffin open
Reality: One thing has nothing to do with the other, the body is dressed for burial in such a way that nobody will know that you were organ donor.
Myth: I’m too old to donate, no one want organs from someone old
Reality: There is no age limit for donating your organs, there are medical criteria to decide if your organs are in good conditions to be transplanted, but do not disqualify yourself.
Myth: My health is not good I cannot donate
Reality: There are few diseases that disqualify a person to be an organ donor, some organs may not be useful, but others do, only doctors determine that.
Myth: The rich are the ones who head the lists of those who need an organ
Reality: There are no priorities on the transplant waiting list, they may give that appearance because they do a lot of publicity around those cases, but the reality is that they have to wait their turn like everyone else.
Now you know, that being a donor can save life, and the best, a single person may be able to give life back to even fifty people, incredible, don’t you think?
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