In a kidney transplantation a healthy person’s kidney is surgically transferred into a patient whose kidney can no longer function properly.
What Purpose Does a Healthy Kidney Serve?
Every person has a pair of kidneys that are made up of millions of nephrons, which are tiny filters. Nephrons’ primary job is to filter our blood of harmful waste substances and products. On the other hand, they also assist in the body’s urine-based excretion of extra fluid. Urine from tubes called ureters is collected in the urinary bladder. The urethra is then used by the body to expel urine. The kidney also performs a number of additional tasks, including controlling the levels of substances like calcium, phosphorus, and salt. When it comes to manufacturing the hormone erythropoietin, which promotes the production of red blood cells, the kidney is essential.
Organ transplant vs. dialysis
All the undesired poisons, waste materials, and extra fluid remain in the body when a person’s kidneys quit working. In these circumstances, the patient is placed on dialysis, a mechanical procedure that removes waste from the blood. Organ transplantation is another therapy option for renal failure. In this procedure, the surgeon transplants the sick individual’s body with a donated kidney from another person. The healthy donor for a transplanted kidney might be a spouse, family, or an unidentified donor. Or, a dead kidney donor might be used.
Dialysis can only restore 10–20% of kidney function, but organ transplantation can restore up to 50%. Getting a kidney transplant improves one’s quality of life. There is no requirement for ongoing medical appointments for dialysis. Therefore, it is accurate to claim that life is far simpler after an organ transplant than it is after dialysis.
What Situations Should A Kidney Transplant Be Avoided?
Doctors suggest kidney transplants as the best option in case your kidneys are not functional anymore. Consequently, it is referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or maybe end-stage kidney disease. (ESKD). When a patient’s kidneys fail, doctors begin dialysis treatments right once. However, they advise this surgical surgery if you are healthy and a great candidate for a kidney transplant. One must be in good enough condition to withstand the consequences of a kidney transplant and adhere to a stringent post-operative medical regimen. A kidney transplant is not advised in many situations, such as when a patient has a severe illness such as a bone infection, TB, hepatitis, etc. Additionally, it is advised against receiving a kidney transplant for those who have cancer, severe liver problems, or cardiovascular conditions.
What is a Kidney Matching Algorithm?
Your blood type (A, B, O, AB) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) must match those of the donor in order for the kidney transplant to be successful. HLA are proteins that are found on cell surfaces and control immune response. A successful kidney transplant requires a minimum of six HLA matches, according to studies. If this step is passed, a second test is conducted to ensure that the donor’s organ is protected from your antibodies. Transplantation is put on hold if, for whatever reason, your body develops antibodies to the donor’s blood. As a result, a reverse crossmatch is necessary for a subsequent kidney transplant surgery.
What Risks Are Associated With a Kidney Transplant?
Surgery carries some risks since kidney transplantation is a complicated process. These include heart attack, stroke, blood clotting and bleeding, infection, and more. The body of the patient’s recipient might reject the donor organ in a number of situations. Therefore, anti-rejection drugs are used to stop the body from rejecting a donor’s organ. That, too, has a number of dangers and adverse consequences, such as infection, swollenness, high blood pressure, diabetes, weakening of the bones, an increased chance of skin cancer, weight gain, and acne.
Things to think about before and after transplant surgery
Although a kidney transplantation has certain dangers, if performed correctly by a skilled surgeon, it can significantly ease your life. The results of several studies show that 90% of kidney transplants are successful. Therefore, if a kidney transplantation is advised by a specialist, one should choose to get one.
Here are some important things to think about both before and after a kidney transplantation procedure:
- Make arrangements for post-operative assistance because it may become challenging to move objects that are heavy.
- Prior to surgery, take care of your health and wellbeing to make it easier for you to recuperate.
- Stay at the hospital for up to a week as the staff carefully monitors your health.
- Immunosuppressants, which are anti-rejection drugs, should be used as directed in order to avoid difficulties.
- After the operation, get routine exams to determine how your kidneys are doing.
If you really adhere to the aforementioned guidelines, getting a kidney transplant may turn out to be the finest decision you’ve ever made. You’ll also benefit from less dietary limitations, no longer needing dialysis, and improved general health.
