What’s it like to live with one kidney?
As a nephrologist and kidney transplant specialist, I meet a lot of people who pose this question to me. Some of these people are considering donating a kidney to someone in need, a lifesaving act of generosity. But it’s a question that also matters to people who have a single kidney for reasons other than organ donation, including those who:
- Have had a kidney removed to treat cancer
- Were born with just one kidney, a condition called renal agenesis
- Are on the kidney transplant waiting list
The good news is, most people can live a normal, healthy life with one working kidney. But it is extra important to take care of the only kidney you have.
Here are three important facts I share with my patients about living with one kidney:
1. One kidney can work as well as two.
Kidneys are vital organs. They filter waste and water from your blood and then remove these from your body as urine. And one kidney can often do that work as well as two.
Also, if you’re a healthy kidney donor, your risk of developing kidney problems years from now are very low. Research confirms that kidney donors live as long as those who do not donate a kidney.
People with one kidney do have a slightly higher chance of developing high blood pressure or pregnancy complications. Your healthcare provider or OB-GYN can help identify and manage these risks. So it’s a good idea to talk to your provider if you have one kidney and plan to get pregnant.
2. You’ll need regular checkups.
People with just one kidney need blood and urine tests to monitor the health of their single kidney. These include estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which looks at how well the kidneys are working, and the ACR (albumin-to-creatinine ratio) test, which checks for a protein in the urine, a sign of kidney damage. I recommend that most of my patients have these tests at least once a year.
And since high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, you should also have your blood pressure checked at least annually. If high blood pressure or another issue that could affect the health of your kidney is found through regular monitoring, taking action early can help you manage it.
3. It’s important to follow a healthy lifestyle.
There are many things people can do to protect their one-and-only kidney. Here are a few:
Exercise safely. Physical activity is good for everyone, including people with one kidney. But you should take extra precautions to protect your kidney. Your doctor may recommend avoiding contact sports, such as soccer or martial arts. Or they might suggest you wear padding to protect your kidney against any potential injuries.
Be cautious with over-the-counter pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, can damage the kidneys. It’s best to avoid them.
Stay hydrated. Water helps the kidneys remove waste, and it helps prevent dehydration, which can damage the kidneys.
Adopt a healthy diet. You usually don’t need to follow a special diet just because you have one kidney. You should, however, consume a variety of healthy foods.
I also recommend limiting sodium (such as table salt), which can increase your risk for high blood pressure, a major cause of kidney disease.
While having one kidney doesn’t usually change your diet needs, transplant recipients may need to keep a few restrictions in mind. That’s because people who have organ transplants need medicines that suppress the immune system. These drugs help your body accept your new kidney, but they also weaken your immunity to harmful bacteria. And certain fruits and juices can keep the immunosuppressant drugs from working as intended.
If you’ve received a kidney transplant, your medical team may advise you to avoid certain foods. These may include:
- Raw or undercooked eggs, meat, fish and poultry
- Unpasteurized dairy products
- Grapefruits and their juices
Learn about living kidney donation
A donated kidney allows someone in need to live a longer, fuller life free from dialysis. What’s more, kidneys from living donors last longer than those from deceased donors. And there’s no waiting potentially for years for one to become available. Those are some of the reasons why Temple’s Kidney Transplant Program and Living Kidney Donor Program are committed to connecting patients to living donors whenever possible.
To make an appointment with the Temple Kidney Transplant, Living Kidney Donor, or Nephrology team, call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) or schedule an appointment online.
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