Complications and contraindications. Rules for a full life for a person with one kidney

Most people live normal, healthy lives with one kidney. However, it is important to take care to stay as healthy as possible and take care.

There are three main reasons why a person may only have one kidney:

A person can only be born with one kidney. This condition is called renal agenesis. Another disorder called kidney dysplasia is when a person is born with two kidneys, but only one of them works. Most people who were born without a kidney (or with only one working kidney) can have normal healthy life.
A person may have had one kidney removed during surgery or to treat an injury or illness (such as cancer).
A person could donate a kidney to another person who needed a transplant.

What if I was born with only one “working” kidney?

If you were born with only one normal kidney, or if one kidney was damaged or removed during childhood, the remaining kidney will grow faster and become larger than normal. The remaining bud can grow to become almost the same size as the two buds combined. This helps it do all the work that two kidneys would normally do.

This growth is called “compensatory” or “restorative”. It happens in different ways: may be the result of accelerated cell division or an increase in the size of the cells themselves. For example, if one kidney is removed, the number of cells in the other increases at an increased rate. Eventually, the remaining bud may enlarge until it is as large as the two combined. In other words, one healthy kidney can do the work of two.

Can a transplanted kidney work for two?

Yes. Careful testing has shown that the transplanted kidney can also increase in size and function. She can achieve a level of functioning that is approximately 40 percent greater than normal level for one kidney.

What does living with one kidney mean in the future?

In general, most people with one healthy kidney have minor problems all the time. However, some problems have also been occasionally observed in the long term.

Some people who were born with one kidney, or had one removed as a child, have a chance of having kidney problems later in life. This usually occurs after 25 years or more. There is also a chance to have increased blood pressure at a later age (suffer from hypertension). However, the loss of kidney function is usually not significant and life expectancy is not greatly affected. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with a few minor limitations.

How often should a person with one kidney be tested?

Kidney function should be checked by at least, once a year. Enough for this simple analysis urine and blood. You should also measure your blood pressure at least once a year unless there is a specific reason to do it more often.

Is it possible for a person with one kidney?

Physical exercise– this is health and benefit for everyone. However, it is important for a person with one kidney to be careful and protect it from injury. This recommendation applies to everyone, regardless of the reason for having one kidney, whether these are people who were born with one kidney or donors. Some doctors believe it is best to avoid contact sports such as football, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or struggle.

Wearing protective clothing, such as a vest under your clothes, can help protect your kidneys from injury during sports. This may help reduce the risk, but does not eliminate it! It's worth talking to your doctor if you (or your child) are interested in participating in contact sports. You should always think about the risks associated with any activity and carefully consider whether they outweigh the benefits.

Do I need to follow a special diet with one kidney?

Most people with one healthy kidney do not need to adhere to special diet. If you have one kidney due to a transplant due to a medical condition or renal failure, then some restrictions on food are possible. If you have questions about your diet, you should talk to your doctor or dietitian.

People who donate a kidney can live as long as those who don't. After the first documented kidney transplant in the US, study shows procedure carries negligible long-term risk medical risk for the donor. Therefore, answering the question “How long can you live with one kidney?”, we can say that this has little effect on the duration and quality of life.

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Kidneys are the most important organs living creature. In their absence or complete removal Without hemodialysis (“artificial kidney”), human life is impossible. To answer the question “Is it possible to live with one kidney?”, first of all, you need to understand the functions of this organ.

Kidneys are paired organs that excrete unnecessary and harmful metabolic products and toxins from the body. Main function:

filtration of blood components;
excretion from the body by-products metabolism;
urine formation.

Direct participation in hematopoiesis.
Osmoregulation - maintaining the proper level of water and the percentage of salts in the body.
Ionoregulation - regulation of the balance of acids and alkalis in the blood plasma.
Metabolism (metabolism) - the formation of vitamins, maintaining the proper level of lipids (fats), carbohydrates and proteins in internal fluids.
Endocrine function - the production of hormones that are responsible for the regulation of the total volume of circulating blood, the production of red blood cells in bone marrow, maintaining the required amount of water in the body.

Aplasia, organ agenesis - underdevelopment or congenital absence of an organ.
Dysplasia is the name given to a defect in the kidney tissue that does not allow the organ to perform its functions.
Nephrectomy - forced surgical removal organ. This measure is necessary if there are large cysts on the kidney, urolithiasis with purulent lesions, formation of axalate stones in the organ, serious developmental anomalies, malignant tumor, physical trauma, accompanied by softening of the kidney tissue.
Donating a kidney to another person.

magnetic resonance angiography;
CT multispectral;
CT spiral;
angiography - x-ray of the kidneys.

Can they live with one kidney? Definitely yes. When one organ is lost, the other completely takes over its functions, hypertrophies (increases in size), and begins to work with redoubled force. This phenomenon (restorative, compensatory) is the norm for a living organism.

If you can live with one kidney, is it possible to live without them? Today this is also possible. The solution is to install lifelong dialysis (artificial kidney system) or transplant a donor organ. In the second case, you need to constantly be wary of kidney rejection, since lymphocytes perceive it as “enemy” foreign body that needs to be neutralized and destroyed. Therefore, patients take strong immunosuppressants that suppress protective functions their body.

impairment of basic renal functions;
high blood pressure (hypertension);
education in abdominal area adhesions, hernias;
recurrence of tumor formation (if the kidney was removed due to damage by cancer cells).

Dairy, fermented milk products - 2-3 times a week. The limitation is due to the calcium content in this food - its high concentration may cause sand to form in the kidney. Low-fat cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and cream are allowed.
Fruits and vegetables. These products, both boiled and fresh, should make up 70-80% of all food consumed. They are easily digestible, contain an optimal set of vitamins, and have a beneficial effect on digestion.
Lipids. Unrefined, cold-pressed varieties are acceptable. vegetable oils: mustard, sesame, sunflower, olive, corn, flaxseed.
Carbohydrates. From simple types The patient is advised to avoid: sugars, sweets, carbonated drinks, baked goods made from white flour. Preference complex carbohydrates: grain black bread, porridge, bran, vegetables.
Squirrels. Amount of protein food consumption (meat, fish - only low-fat varieties, eggs) should be reduced to 2-3 doses per week.
Liquids. In order not to overload the only functioning organ, you should drink no more than 1-1.5 liters of liquid per day. This volume will not overload the kidney and at the same time will help remove all toxins from the body. Preference for vegetables and vegetables diluted with water fruit juices, fruit drinks. Do not overuse strong black and green tea, coffee, meat broths.
Spices. Salt intake should be kept to a minimum.

Fasting, vegetarianism, and a raw food diet are undesirable—such a diet can deprive the kidney of the supporting layer of fat that keeps it tightly in place.

Food should enter the body not hot, not cold, but warm. Products are boiled, baked, stewed. A good option- purchasing a steamer or multicooker. These devices preserve the maximum of healthy and essential microelements, vitamins.

quail eggs;
low-fat fermented milk products;
unsalted hard cheese;
pasta from durum wheat;
lean fish;
cereals;
vegetable broths;
lean veal, rabbit meat;
“white meat” poultry - chicken, turkey;
fruit and berry juices, jellies, mousses, cocktails, compotes;
bran bread;
first courses vegetarian recipes, but with the addition of butter;
lettuce, beets, cucumbers, cauliflower, potato.

Unhealthy food

preservation, home and store-bought, including marinades and pickles;
sausages, sausages, smoked meats, semi-finished products;
sweets containing white sugar;
baked goods made from white flour;
sweet carbonated waters;
medicinal mineral drinks (especially those containing sodium);
any alcohol - even beer;
fatty meat and broths made from it;
salty, fried, spicy foods;
onions, garlic, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms.

However, you should refrain from strength sports, exhausting training, and professional records. It is also worth paying attention to the athlete’s diet. Shown for bodybuilders and bodybuilders increased consumption protein, which is unacceptable for the diet of a person with one kidney. Sports with increased risk serious injury to a single organ - boxing, football, basketball are also undesirable.

One kidney and pregnancy

Until recently, pregnancy and childbirth with only one kidney were considered fatal for a woman - there was a risk that the organ might fail. Level of modern medical care allows you to get favorable prognosis pregnancy, subject to comprehensive health monitoring (patients with one kidney are susceptible to infections), a certain daily routine - alternating rest and work, proper diet. The only contraindication to pregnancy is kidney removal due to cancer.

A person can only be born with one kidney. This condition is called renal agenesis. Another disorder called kidney dysplasia is when a person is born with two kidneys, but only one of them works. Most people who are born without a kidney (or with only one working kidney) can lead normal, healthy lives.
A person may have had one kidney removed during surgery or to treat an injury or illness (such as cancer).
A person could donate a kidney to another person who needed a transplant.

Interesting. I considered people with one kidney almost disabled. And here there are just small restrictions. Basically, save internal organs from injuries, regardless of the number of kidneys). And I didn’t even suspect that the kidney was growing.
Still, in this case, you need to carefully monitor the quality of the liquids you consume.

One kidney can also affect productive and social life - for example, it will be difficult (if unrealistic) to pass a medical examination for admission to officer schools and police academies. And from a medical point of view, indeed, 1 kidney in the process of human growth becomes “like two” and does not add any discomfort.

I didn’t know that a kidney grows faster if left alone.
Although, what's surprising here? Everything in our body is interconnected, and the work of one organ affects another.

Selling a kidney is not an option... Of course, anything can happen and sometimes you have to get out of it, but I would start from the head. It's a pity that she is the only one with us)))

A friend of mine had a kidney removed about 4-5 years ago, and after this time he feels quite normal. The only thing is that you have to limit yourself in many ways so as not to overload. Of course, he was removed due to illness, but if you look on the Internet, many people simply remove it to make money, this is complete stupidity!

When you are approaching 50 years old and remember the removal of a kidney for a new iPhone, you will obviously hate yourself for it.

What if you remove a kidney not for the sake of your iPhone, but for the sake of being with your children?

You may not need to stick to a diet, but alcohol is probably prohibited? Poor people!

You can live your whole life without even knowing about it and die from a completely different disease... Before, when there was no ultrasound, this was practically the case.

Hello. I live with one kidney and my blood pressure sometimes increases. This is fine?

It is important here to take into account your age and period, how long you have been missing a kidney, and how often problems with blood pressure are observed.
Many people now suffer from hypertension and prehypertension, and unhealthy kidneys are one of the most common causes. The absence of one kidney may also be a cause of high blood pressure, but it usually takes a long time for this to occur. Those. It usually takes several years after the loss of a kidney for blood pressure to be affected.
You should definitely see a doctor who, if necessary, will prescribe medications to treat or maintain normal blood pressure. After all high pressure affects the health of the kidneys themselves, and can further aggravate the problem.
Try to follow a proper diet (minimum salty, sweet, fatty, spicy). But I think you yourself know what is harmful to the kidneys. Within a couple of days I will publish an article about what you should not eat to maintain normal blood pressure. In the meantime, you can find out which foods can lower blood pressure. which foods can lower blood pressure. But don't look at the pepper there.

I went into the army with one kidney, served in the Far East and also in the Marine Corps!

Hello Alexander.. I also live with one kidney, I also served in the Army, I’m 33 years old, I’d like to exchange impressions... 89199342434 I have Viber registered on this number, if you read my letter write to me, because calling that number won’t work, I’m not going anywhere in Tajikistan

I don’t think anyone would be happy to have one kidney... Problems in later life are well off, but there’s nothing you can do about it if fate has such an attitude towards you (

Good day everyone. My kidney was removed when I was in first grade (I was born this way), one functioned stably, but the second did not develop at all. After a consultation, they said it needed to be removed (there was no sense in it), I had to have an operation. The rehabilitation course lasted almost 2 years (I was very worried). I studied at home and thought it was the end of my whole life. They convinced me that I was disabled, everything was forbidden to me (I was 6 years old at the time, at that age you would believe anything) I limited myself in everything. By the age of 11, I began to get tired of this; without listening to anyone, I started playing sports, began to harden myself, that is, I did everything so that my body would be ready for any surprises in life. At 13, I started powerlifting; my parents were categorically against it, but I stubbornly decided to live a full, healthy life (after a couple of years they accepted it) this moment I’m 23 years old, more than 17 years have passed since the operation, I’m still involved in powerlifting and am completely healthy image life - I forgot the last time I went to the hospital - even a simple runny nose hasn’t bothered me for about 5 years now. Problems arise only in Employment - the army has disappeared - any physical work prohibited - everything related to posture organs is completely prohibited. Otherwise, I live a completely full, active life and don’t pay attention to anything. So many years after the operation, my kidney has increased in size by 2 times and is functioning at 2 times with 100% efficiency. It’s only in the last 2 years that my blood pressure began to rise significantly. I don’t feel it at all, but every time I check it, the standard is almost always 150-160 to 80-90. But the most unpleasant thing I’m afraid of is the heartbeat - 100-110, the current is almost always, no matter whether I do anything or not. But all this does not bother me at all and is not felt in my life. In general, if you have one kidney, then you shouldn’t bury yourself, live a full, healthy life. Everything will be fine with you - good luck and have a nice life)

Hello. I am very pleased with your attitude to life and adherence to a healthy lifestyle. This will help many who read your story. This example is very important.
But something needs to be done about the pressure. This is a very large load on the cardiovascular system, which can have a significant impact in the future. It is better to consult a doctor, because there will be less harm from taking certain types antihypertensive drugs than for untreated hypertension. Most often, such drugs are prescribed for upper pressure from 160, but if you have repeatedly noticed 150, then it is quite possible that it often jumps to this level (especially during training). But even worse is your difference in upper and lower pressure ( pulse pressure), usually a person even feels much worse. In any case, in order to ensure the presence of deviations, it is necessary to measure blood pressure repeatedly over a period of time.
And the sport you chose for yourself is not very useful. I don’t argue, it is one of the most exciting and has a lot of advantages, but not for health in general. Cardio exercise is much more beneficial for of cardio-vascular system, and forceful ones, if used incorrectly, have a detrimental effect on it. But I think you will have more experience in this than I do, since it is clear that you clever man. Please consult a therapist about this.
And thank you again for the wonderful example.

Cardio exercises are mandatory, because only with their help can you make the heart muscles elastic and stronger. However, read articles on this subject (how to properly train your heart). The blood pressure should at least get better. By the way, cardio training, as you probably know, helps to develop the relief, and your body is most likely pretty well pumped.
ZY I am proud of people who do not despair, but always move forward. Good luck to you!

I have an almost similar story :) I studied at school, practiced boxing and wrestling. After finishing school, he entered military school, at school he was an excellent student in sports and hand-to-hand combat :), after graduation he ended up serving in a special unit, fought, after for a long time worked as a force officer training instructor special purpose, while actively involved in sports and training like crazy! Every day I had to endure a huge physical exercise! At the age of 30, I quit my job and went to work as a civilian, but at the same time I continue to actively engage in Thai boxing, swim, run, I really like to take a steam bath, and sometimes I dive into an ice hole :). I have never smoked or drank alcohol in my life... During my studies at school and at the military school, I had two very severe pneumonias, THANK GOD, everything turned out okay. And then, at the age of 39, I was admitted to the hospital with suspected appendicitis and upon examination they did not find appendicitis, but upon careful examination it turned out that I did not have right kidney and it never existed and I didn’t even know about it! Why am I telling this, many people become despondent and believe that everyone... they are inferior people. This is all wrong! Of course, if my parents had known from childhood that I had such a situation, they would probably have tied me to the sofa and forbidden me to do anything else, but the thing is that no one knew this... And I had to freeze in the snow during shooting and In classes, I also had to lie down for a long time and endure loads that were simply not human, and everything would have been wonderful. So don’t be upset, life doesn’t stop there! Of course, you need to monitor your diet and lifestyle, but you shouldn’t be discouraged. In conclusion, I want to say that THANK GOD I have a wife and two wonderful children, and absolutely healthy ones.
live life to the fullest and be happy :), MAY THE LORD GOD HELP US ALL!

Hello, my son, born from twins, had this problem! He is now 20 years old and I first found out about this a month ago and only because they began to examine my son about his increased blood pressure: 170/100 is the average daily pressure, I am very worried about what’s next! Urine and blood tests are good. In the future, the urologist told me there may be problems with erection and ejaculation, since there is only one ureter. Do you need a donor kidney?

I suffered with blood pressure for a long time. Doctors said it was because of nerves. But it turned out to be a kidney. So trust our doctors.

Hello. I have a question: is there any disability group or not? If not, why? In Russia they immediately give you the second group.

And it turns out that they won’t give you disability or what? If an elderly person has had kidney cancer removed, will they be given disability or not?

The issue of assigning disability in Russia is regulated by the Order of the Ministry of Labor and social protection Russian Federation dated September 29, 2014 N 664n.
According to this regulatory act, many factors play a role: how the absence of a kidney affects health, how much time has passed since removal and its cause, how it affects limitations in life (self-care, etc.). It is difficult to describe everything briefly, especially since the decision is made by a commission of specialists, which takes all this into account and may not always be as objective as possible. But we can highlight the main points:
1. If the only kidney is its own and there are no health problems with the second one or its damage is insignificant, then this is considered a 30% impairment of the functions of the human body (I degree). Those. This minor violations and the group most likely will not be given if there are also no restrictions on life activities.
2. If there are more serious violations in the functioning of another kidney - this is already 60-100% dysfunction of the human body (III-VI degree), then here the second or first disability group should already be assigned.
3. When transplanting a single functioning kidney, the first 2 years are 90-100% impaired in the body’s functions (VI degree), i.e. This is disability group I. After these two years - 50% (II degree), which means already the 3rd disability group.
4. After removal of the malignant renal pelvis or tumor, it all depends on the stage of the formation itself at which it was when removed. But in the first 2-5 years there is at least 50% dysfunction of the human body (II degree), i.e. at least 3rd disability group.

For more details, see the order itself, which is linked at the beginning of the comment.

My son had a kidney removed at six months, there are restrictions on food and physical activity. Regarding disability, yes, they gave me a disability, but every year they hint that I have healthy child and they won’t extend it for the next year...But: based on the law, every year I talk about restrictions. When they ask what limitations he has in his life, I answer simply: my son wants to play hockey, but he can’t. They fall silent. And I add: any A nephrologist will confirm that until a person grows up, no one can guarantee that the only kidney will develop correctly and what we will see at 25-30 years old. Therefore, until this age, there should be no talk of removing disability.

Hi all. I have had 1 kidney since birth. I only found out about this in the army at the end of my service. I served normally and live without any restrictions. Before the army, there was a time when I drank a lot and nothing happened. After he returned, he quit and continued to play sports. I run marathons easily at an average pace in 3.5-4 hours, I ride a bike for 150 km, I’ve been boarding and skiing for 6 years. So my advice to everyone with a similar anomaly is to forget it and live normally, as you want.

I only found out about my missing kidney when I was 20 when I was drafted into the army, is this normal? If it weren’t for the call, I would never have known that I was born without a right kidney. Of course they didn’t take me into the army

Is it possible to engage in diving with one kidney and, in general, underwater diving in general, which involves long-term air retention? Is this beneficial or is it the other way around?

Hello, Yuri.
Sorry for the delay - I just arrived and haven't been at my PC for a week.
If the kidney functions normally and satisfies the body’s needs for filtering and hormonal functions, then this is not a contraindication for diving, and therefore will not negatively affect health.
But in case of renal failure (when we're talking about about a person on hemodialysis), then the situation here is different. If the kidney does not fully cope with filtration, then substances such as urea nitrogen and creatinine are not removed from the blood and their amount is increased. This leads to a dullness of the sensorium (the ability to sense), deterioration of perception and a decrease in underwater skills. But here, too, everything is individual and there are no exact figures, since increased level These substances in the blood can affect different people differently.
Therefore, if there is no hypertension, which often accompanies kidney problems, and normal tests for urea nitrogen and creatinine, then there are no visible obstacles to diving.

I read all the comments, I also found out at the age of 27, just like you, I have not refused anything in life, there was a time when I drank to the fullest, but I stopped drinking alcohol for 4 years now, I lead a healthy lifestyle, I have 4 children, two twins. I work as a builder, I used to work as a mason, and now I’m a foreman and opened my own business. I’ve never had any health problems, but Lately The pressure is also reported as 140-90, 150,160, I don’t understand, this is because nervous work or from the kidneys I don’t know for sure... But my character is also sugar, in general, thank God at 33 I feel great, but I’m thinking about the future, for example after 50 years, if God forbid we live as it will... Thank you all

I have been living with one kidney (right) for 19 years. You can live on nothing. Yes, there are restrictions, but basically I live like everyone else. Sometimes I even forget that I have one kidney. Working pressure 90/60.

Hello. I had grade 3 hydronephrosis. There were no signs, no pain, I found out when I had a medical examination! They said we need to wait because it’s like a time bomb! Your second kidney has long ago taken over the function of both kidneys, so you don’t have to worry, but when you hear all these restrictions, recommendations and all that, it’s scary.

I also had hydronephrosis and found out about it at the age of 20. Since childhood, at the age of 12, pain began on the left side, the pain did not go away for 7.8 hours, painkillers saved me. When asked by doctors, they always said ulcer or gastritis, the last time it started very severe pain. I started to do an examination and it turned out that there was a hostile anomaly in the development of the urinary tract, the artery was tied up with the urinary tract and the kidney had difficulty draining fluid. The doctors said the kidney had not worked for three years and the right one had already taken over the work in two years. The kidney was removed, it’s been almost three months now, I feel good, it’s rare high blood pressure. I can say one thing that life after the birth has not changed much, of course for the first 1.5 years if the restrictions need to be adhered to. If someone still has to deal with this, there is nothing fatal here, and as they write that you won’t live long or are disabled, don’t believe this is the speculation of people who have not encountered this, and any professional doctor will say that you will be fine in the future. The main thing is to monitor your health in time.

Kidneys are the most important organs of a living being. If they are absent or completely removed without hemodialysis (“artificial kidney”), human life is impossible. To answer the question “Is it possible to live with one kidney?”, first of all, you need to understand the functions of this organ.

Characteristics of the kidneys

Kidneys are paired organs that remove unnecessary and harmful metabolic products and toxins from the body. Main function:

filtration of blood components; excretion of metabolic by-products from the body; formation of urine.

But these are not all the tasks that the kidneys perform in the body. Their additional functions:

Direct participation in hematopoiesis. Osmoregulation - maintaining the proper level of water and the percentage of salts in the body. Ionoregulation - regulating the balance of acids and alkalis in the blood plasma. Metabolism (metabolism) - formation of vitamins, maintaining the volume of lipids (fats), carbohydrates and proteins at the proper level in internal fluids. Endocrine function - the production of hormones that are responsible for regulating the total volume of circulating blood, the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and maintaining the required amount of water in the body.

Possible reasons for the absence of an organ

According to statistics, 0.05% of people, which is approximately every fifth out of 10 thousand, live with one kidney, without even knowing it. A person may have a single organ for a number of reasons:

Aplasia, agenesis of an organ is underdevelopment or congenital absence of an organ. Dysplasia is the name given to a defect of the kidney tissue that does not allow the organ to perform its functions. Nephrectomy is the forced surgical removal of an organ. This measure is necessary in the presence of large cysts on the kidney, urolithiasis with purulent lesions, the formation of axalate stones in the organ, serious developmental anomalies, a malignant tumor, physical trauma accompanied by softening of the kidney tissue. Donation of a kidney to another person.

Diagnosis of the first two cases is carried out using the following methods:

magnetic resonance angiography; multispectral CT; spiral CT; angiography-x-ray of the kidneys.

Features of the functioning of one organ

If you can live with one kidney, is it possible to live without them? Today this is also possible. The solution is to install lifelong dialysis (artificial kidney system) or transplant a donor organ. In the second case, one must constantly be wary of kidney rejection, since lymphocytes perceive it as an “enemy” foreign body that needs to be neutralized and destroyed. Therefore, patients take strong immunosuppressants that suppress the protective functions of their body.

Is it possible to live with one kidney: consequences

The vast majority of patients who have had a kidney removed do not experience serious problems with health. Although a person undergoes a number of difficulties in the postoperative and rehabilitation stage, the presence of one organ instead of a pair does not affect his life expectancy in any way. Therefore, the question “How long can they live without a kidney?” incorrect.

The consequences may be as follows:

violation of basic renal functions; high blood pressure (hypertension); formation of adhesions and hernias in the abdominal region; relapse of tumor formation (if the kidney was removed due to damage by cancer cells).

How to live with one kidney after surgery: patients should periodically visit a nephrologist, take biochemical tests to monitor the functioning of the organ 1-2 times a year. Sometimes recommended CT scan. A person becomes fully able to work after two months of rehabilitation. A woman with one kidney can survive childbirth normally and give birth to a healthy baby.

The main rules of a fulfilling life

How to live fully with one kidney:

How to live with one kidney at full capacity? Follow a certain diet. It reduces the load on the only functioning organ and the urinary system as a whole, helping to recover faster.

In the first 24 hours after surgery, the patient is asked to completely stop eating. Two hours after nephrectomy, mouth rinsing is allowed, taking small quantity water. Since kidney removal is sometimes accompanied by intestinal dysfunction, appropriate measures are prescribed to stabilize its functions. medicines and special meals.

The main conditions of the diet during the rehabilitation period:

Dairy, fermented milk products - 2-3 times a week. The limitation is due to the calcium content in this food - its high concentration can cause the formation of sand in the kidney. Low-fat cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, cream are allowed. Fruits and vegetables. These products, both boiled and fresh, should make up 70-80% of all food consumed. They are easily digestible, contain an optimal set of vitamins, and have a beneficial effect on digestion. Lipids. Unrefined cold-pressed vegetable oils are acceptable: mustard, sesame, sunflower, olive, corn, flaxseed. Carbohydrates. The patient is advised to avoid simple types: sugars, sweets, carbonated drinks, baked goods made from white flour. Preference for complex carbohydrates: grain black bread, porridge, bran, vegetables. Proteins. The amount of protein food consumption (meat, fish - only low-fat varieties, eggs) should be reduced to 2-3 meals per week. Liquids. In order not to overload the only functioning organ, you should drink no more than 1-1.5 liters of liquid per day. This volume will not overload the kidney and at the same time will help remove all toxins from the body. Preference for vegetable and fruit juices and fruit drinks diluted with water. Do not overuse strong black and green tea, coffee, meat broths. Spices. Salt intake should be kept to a minimum.

Fasting, vegetarianism, and a raw food diet are undesirable - such a diet can deprive the kidney of the supporting layer of fat, thanks to which it stays tightly in place.

Food should enter the body not hot, not cold, but warm. Products are boiled, baked, stewed. A good option is to purchase a double boiler or multicooker. These devices retain a maximum of useful and essential microelements and vitamins in cooked dishes.

Preference is given to fresh products. When storing them, you need to pay attention to its conditions and freezing rules. Eat several times a day in small portions, at the same time.

quail eggs; low-fat fermented milk products; unsalted hard cheese; pasta from durum wheat; lean fish; cereals; vegetable broths; lean veal, rabbit meat; “white meat” poultry - chicken, turkey; honey; fruit and berry juices, jelly , mousses, cocktails, compotes; bran bread; first courses according to vegetarian recipes, but with the addition of butter; lettuce, beets, cucumbers, cauliflower, potatoes.

Unhealthy food

How to live with one kidney without problems? Completely avoid the following products:

canned food, home and store-bought, including marinades and pickles; sausages, sausages, smoked meats, semi-finished products; sweets containing white sugar; baked goods made from white flour; sweet carbonated waters; medicinal mineral drinks (especially those containing sodium); any alcohol - even beer; fatty meat and broths made from it; salted, fried, spicy foods; onions, garlic, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms.

Undesirable: legumes, fish, meat broths, salted cheeses, milk chocolate, sorrel, celery, parsley, radish, radishes.

When talking about how to live correctly with one kidney, it is impossible not to mention playing sports. Hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, skating, swimming pool classes, horseback riding, therapeutic exercises, fitness, and morning exercises will definitely be beneficial. The kidneys “love” circular rotations of the body and bending.

However, you should refrain from strength sports, exhausting training, and professional records. It is also worth paying attention to the athlete’s diet. Bodybuilders and bodybuilders are advised to increase their protein intake, which is unacceptable for the diet of a person with one kidney. Sports with an increased risk of serious injury to a single organ - boxing, football, basketball - are also undesirable.

One kidney and pregnancy

Until recently, pregnancy and childbirth with only one kidney were considered deadly for a woman - there was a risk that the organ might fail. The level of modern medical care makes it possible to obtain a favorable pregnancy prognosis subject to comprehensive health monitoring (patients with one kidney are susceptible to infections), a certain daily routine - alternating rest and work, and a proper diet. The only contraindication to pregnancy is kidney removal due to cancer.

How long do people with one kidney live? No less than those having such a paired organ. As for any other person, life expectancy is influenced by hereditary data, ecology, lifestyle, addiction to bad habits, and the presence of other diseases.

Most people live normal, healthy lives with one kidney. However, it is important to take care to stay as healthy as possible and take care.

Why can people have one kidney?

There are three main reasons why a person may only have one kidney:

A person can only be born with one kidney. This condition is called renal agenesis. Another disorder called kidney dysplasia is when a person is born with two kidneys, but only one of them works. Most people who are born without a kidney (or with only one working kidney) can lead normal, healthy lives. A person may have had one kidney removed during surgery or to treat an injury or illness (such as cancer). A person could donate a kidney to another person who needed a transplant.

What if I was born with only one “working” kidney?

This growth is called “compensatory” or “restorative”. This happens in different ways: it may be the result of accelerated cell division or an increase in the size of the cells themselves. For example, if one kidney is removed, the number of cells in the other increases at an increased rate. Eventually, the remaining bud may enlarge until it is as large as the two combined. In other words, one healthy kidney can do the work of two.

Can a transplanted kidney work for two?

Yes. Careful testing has shown that the transplanted kidney can also increase in size and function. It can achieve a level of functioning that is approximately 40 percent greater than the normal level for a single kidney.

What does living with one kidney mean in the future?

In general, most people with one healthy kidney have minor problems all the time. However, some problems have also been occasionally observed in the long term.

Some people who were born with one kidney, or had one removed as a child, have a chance of having kidney problems later in life. This usually occurs after 25 years or more. There is also a chance of having high blood pressure later in life (suffering from hypertension). However, the loss of kidney function is usually not significant and life expectancy is not greatly affected. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with a few minor limitations.

How often should a person with one kidney be tested?

Kidney function should be checked at least once a year. A simple urine and blood test is enough to do this. You should also measure your blood pressure at least once a year unless there is a specific reason to do it more often.

Can a person with one kidney play sports?

Physical exercise is healthy and beneficial for everyone. However, it is important for a person with one kidney to be careful and protect it from injury. This recommendation applies to everyone, regardless of the reason for having one kidney, whether these are people who were born with one kidney or donors. Some doctors believe it is best to avoid contact sports such as soccer, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or wrestling.

Do I need to follow a special diet with one kidney?

Most people with one healthy kidney do not need to follow a special diet. If you have one kidney due to a transplant due to disease or kidney failure, then there may be some dietary restrictions. If you have questions about your diet, you should talk to your doctor or dietitian.

People who donate a kidney can live as long as those who don't. Following the first documented kidney transplant in the United States, a study shows the procedure carries little long-term medical risk to the donor. Therefore, answering the question “How long can you live with one kidney?”, we can say that this has little effect on the duration and quality of life.

This will also help you make sure Interesting Facts about kidneys and their transplantation.

Often people who have one kidney live for many years without getting sick, and only accidentally find out that from birth they have one functioning organ. Living with one kidney requires compliance certain rules, which can help maintain health for many years. It is believed that one kidney can take on the functions of two. At the same time, people do not have to greatly limit themselves in their actions and change their lifestyle. For such a person, playing sports is not contraindicated, but moderate physical work even necessary. Women do not have to give up pregnancy: they have a chance, with the help of doctors, to carry it to term and give birth healthy child, and then calmly take care of it. None Negative consequences don't appear.

How does one kidney function?

The kidneys are a paired organ. They accumulate toxins and waste, after which they are excreted in the urine. The kidneys must work well; blood pressure and the amount of fluid in the cells depend on this. If both organs are healthy, the loads are distributed evenly. When the performance of one of the kidneys decreases or is lost, almost all functions are taken over by the other. The consequences of this are an increase in size, which is physiological norm. There are several reasons for the absence of one of the kidneys: congenital anomaly(agenesis or aplasia) or removal surgically for incurable diseases of this organ (nephrectomy). How long do they live with one organ? By observing some dietary restrictions, refusing bad habits and by following the regimen, a person can live a full life with one kidney. If the remaining organ functions without impairment, then the disabled person medical indications they don't.

It happens that patients lose both kidneys. What to do in this case, what is the solution? Here, either lifelong hemodialysis or transplantation of a healthy organ from a donor can save you. The main problem of people living with a transplanted kidney is the constant danger of rejection. In this case, the immune system perceives the new organ as a foreign body, and lymphocytes begin trying to destroy it. The method of preventing rejection is modern immunosuppressants that suppress the immune system. If you follow the rules, then life with a single kidney, even a transplant, will be acceptable. The transplanted kidney will work in two if you monitor your weight, take the prescribed medications in full, follow the recommendations of the transplantologist, and get tested regularly. You also need a lifelong diet from which alcohol is excluded.

Most people with one kidney lead normal lives. But it all depends on the reason why a person lost this organ. And these reasons that lead to loss or malfunction one of two organs, several. One of these is congenital pathology. For example, at the stage intrauterine development Only one kidney is formed in the baby, or after birth, during development, only one left or right kidney develops and grows (this deviation is called dysplasia). Surgical removal is also possible ( nephrectomy) due to damage by diseases such as: tumor, polycystic disease, pyelonephritis, tuberculosis, cancer, developmental anomaly, etc. The option of organ donation is not excluded - kidney transplant to another person.

Depending on the reasons that led to the loss of the organ, subsequent treatment, rehabilitation and after rehabilitation diets, as well as a person’s daily lifestyle.

If one kidney is a congenital pathology

Our body has a unique function - it adapts to various conditions life. If it so happens that your child or you have only one kidney formed since birth, or only one kidney performs its functions, do not be alarmed. Thanks to our body's ability to adapt, the remaining organ, in order to perform all functions for two, will develop faster both functionally and physically and can reach almost double the standard size ( standard sizes buds are approximately 12 cm long, 5.5 cm wide).

If a kidney is removed as a result of illness or injury

When these organs (kidneys) work in pairs, each of them uses a quarter of its capabilities. After nephrectomy, blood flow to the remaining kidney increases one and a half times, which makes it possible to almost double the functionality of the remaining organ. The process of final adaptation of one kidney to all additional loads is quite lengthy and lasts about a year. But after this time, the remaining organ will fully perform all the functions of the two kidneys.

If nephrectomy is associated with trauma, cyst, hydronephrosis and the second kidney is healthy, perform any indications or additional procedures not necessary. The person can continue to lead a normal life.

If the removal of an organ is associated with pyelonephritis or kidney tuberculosis, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of doctors. In this case, restrictions on fluid intake, exercise control, and constant monitoring with the attending physician are usually used until complete recovery.

It should be remembered that the recommendations are aimed at preventing possible disease of the remaining kidney. During the rehabilitation period after kidney removal, it is necessary to avoid physical activity, hypothermia, colds, control the amount of fluid consumed, the composition and quality of food.

Pregnancy with one kidney

Pregnancy and one kidney are quite compatible, but you need to take into account a number of factors that may later affect your health or the development of the fetus. To predict pregnancy and childbirth with such a pathology, the diagnosis or reason for which the organ is missing is of great importance.

If you have congenital pathology , then before conceiving it will be enough to consult your doctor. If you transferred kidney removal surgery and are planning to conceive, you need to wait 2-3 years until the adaptation of the remaining kidney to the increased load is completed. And also carry out treatment and prevention for the remaining organ if the reason for the nephrectomy (removal) was an infection.

Pregnancies with one kidney are usually normal. Urine test results are practically no different from standard indicators during pregnancy. Urine excretion is not impaired.

Before conception, kidney function and general health women should be carefully examined by a urologist or nephrologist.

General principles of nutrition after kidney removal

After you lose one of your kidneys, your body experiences a certain load, both in its filtration functions and in its metabolism. The diet after removal of the left or right kidney is no different and should be based on certain principles:

the daily menu should consist of easily digestible and satisfying food;
minimize the consumption of protein foods (meat, fish, legumes and other protein-containing dishes);
Fluid intake should be moderate. Daily norm liquids, including soups, tea, juices, etc., should be within 1 liter;
Significantly reduce the amount of salt when preparing dishes.

It is not recommended to completely give up carbohydrates and proteins. Their amount in the daily diet should correspond daily norm person. The daily diet should be balanced and fortified. It is recommended to reduce the amount of food consumed at a time, but increase the frequency of intake to 5-6 times a day. It is also recommended to change the way you cook food. Replace fried foods with boiled, stewed, baked ones. Steam bath dishes are especially welcome. They are very easily absorbed by the body, while maximizing the usefulness of the products that were used in preparation.

Special nutrition is used until the body gets used to the absence of one of the kidneys. After adaptation, all new products are introduced into the diet gradually.

When preparing a diet, be sure to consult a nephrologist or nutritionist, because, depending on each individual case, food may vary.

U healthy person There are two kidneys in the body. This paired organ filters the blood from the remnants of metabolic processes and, together with urine, removes them from the body.

Sometimes (due to developmental defects) a person is born with only one bean-like organ. This occurs due to factors such as (only one kidney is fully developed) or agenesis (one paired organ is completely absent).

At the same time, people with this pathology can live a full life. To do this, you must follow special rules to maintain health for many years. People with one organ should limit heavy physical labor, replace it with exercise, and follow a diet and drinking regime.

The causes of this pathology

There are two types of agenesis paired organ: two-sided and one-sided. In the first case, the child dies immediately after birth or while still in the mother’s womb, since he has no kidneys.

Unilateral agenesis implies the presence of one organ and in most cases is a completely safe condition for life. There is no main reason for this anomaly. Parents may not even suspect that their child has any developmental disabilities.

To compensate for the absence of the second organ, the size of the remaining one increases. This restorative feature allows you to increase its performance by 45%. In this case, one kidney is not much inferior to the normal functioning of two.

Scientists have found that often a child is born with an anomaly in women with the presence diabetes mellitus. Almost always, agenesis occurs due to external factors.

During the period of bearing a child, the woman’s body and her fetus are very vulnerable, since they have weakened the immune system. TO etiological factors The development of agenesis can be attributed to:

Serious illnesses viral in nature in a pregnant woman. These include measles and rubella.
Oligohydramnios during pregnancy.
Abuse alcoholic drinks or drug use during pregnancy.
Exposure of the fetus to toxic substances or ionizing radiation.
Presence in a pregnant woman various infections in the genitourinary system.
Application hormonal contraceptives while carrying a child.
The presence of infections transmitted through sexual intercourse. Women infected with syphilis are most susceptible to giving birth to a child with an anomaly.

According to statistics, boys are more often born with renal agenesis. For every 10 thousand newborns, 1–3 children are identified with this anomaly. In the absence of a kidney, most often it is the left organ.

Symptoms of pathology in a child

The presence of anomalies of the filtering organs in an infant initial stage does not manifest itself with any symptoms if the baby is healthy. Pathology is often detected by chance during preventive examinations.

Sometimes a child may exhibit aching pain in the groin, passing into the sacrum area. Girls with the presence of an anomaly have pathologies of the reproductive system. Vaginal underdevelopment and uterine hypoplasia are often detected.

Another manifestation of the clinical picture:

swelling of the face;
dry skin, mucous membranes;
frequent regurgitation;
excessive urination;
lethargy;
deformation ears and skulls;
high blood pressure;
increased distance between the eyes;
protruding forehead;
macrognathia – underdevelopment of the jaw;
flat and wide nose.

Boys are found specific symptoms. They do not have a duct that removes seminal fluid.

Quite often, children with agenesis are born prematurely, and their filtering organ is increased in size. If the kidney does not cope with the functions assigned to it, symptoms appear almost immediately after the birth of the baby.

Diagnostic methods

In those days when the ultrasound machine had not yet been developed, many people lived with an anomaly without knowing it. Nowadays, the absence of an organ in a child is sometimes determined while the fetus is still in the womb. However, this is quite difficult to detect. The adrenal gland can be identified as a kidney.

After the baby is born, the diagnosis is confirmed by:

nephroscytingraphy (determines the accumulation of radioisotopes in the kidney area);
angiography (detects the absence of organ vessels in the area of the affected side).

The doctor may prescribe a procedure. Great importance has a history taking. The doctor finds out not only possible reasons development of agenesis, but also learns all the features of pregnancy.

How to live with one organ

People with the anomaly from birth must observe dietary restrictions. It is necessary to maintain a certain diet, sleep and wakefulness.

It is required to lead a healthy lifestyle, giving up alcohol-containing drinks and smoking. The lives of people with this anomaly are full and practically no different from others.

In the case of (surgery to remove one of the kidneys), a person can also carry out normal life. Immediately after the operation he needs bed rest and peace. In the first days you should only eat a gentle diet. Rehabilitation can take a long time.

However, when in good condition patient approximately ten days after nephrectomy, the person returns to workplace. This happens if his profession is not related to physical labor.

Adult patients living with the anomaly may experience various problems, which will accompany them constantly. Basically it is high blood pressure.

There is a risk of organ dysfunction. Women with this pathology experience difficulties during pregnancy. However, there are many known cases of the birth of normally developed children from mothers with one kidney.

To avoid various complications Patients should be examined by a doctor at least once a year. Recommendations from a specialist will help support the organ and improve its performance.

Methods of therapeutic action

Therapy for such patients depends mainly on the condition of the kidney. If it is healthy and performs all the functions of the second organ, then special treatment not required. It is necessary to see a urologist and follow all his recommendations (follow proper nutrition and drinking regimen).

Specific therapy for treatment is not prescribed. For hypertension, medications to lower blood pressure are usually prescribed. In most cases, it is necessary to use means to enhance immunity.

Medications

In some cases, after the removal of one kidney, the patient’s condition does not normalize. The kidney is a paired organ, so problems that arise on one side can “transition” to the other.

This is facilitated by the incorrect behavior of the patient himself - the requirements of the attending physician are not followed, the body is subjected to increased loads and stress, a strict diet is not maintained.

If a violation of even one of the basic functions of the kidney is detected, it is necessary to immediately begin the treatment prescribed. The choice of drugs depends on the patient’s condition, the interpretation of his tests and the identified pathology.

Maintenance treatment

Patients living with one kidney should have regular blood and urine tests, as well as instrumental examinations. Maintenance therapy includes the use of antibacterial agents.

In case of development, the goal of treatment is to slow down the rate of progression of the pathology.

Types of operations

If conservative therapy is ineffective, they are used (use of an “artificial kidney” device) or, in which the blood is purified by the introduction and subsequent drainage of a special fluid.

In some cases it is necessary. Transplantation is the most effective way relief from kidney failure.

With lifelong treatment, the patient is periodically connected to an “artificial kidney” to perform blood filtration. At the same time, it is saturated with all necessary substances, the acid-base balance is restored.

Connection to the device is made strictly in the mode prescribed by the attending physician. Failure to do so increases the risk of death.

Dietary requirements

The fundamental factor for a complete and active life is dietary food. Some foods must be present in the diet: black bread, vegetables, eggs, honey, sour cream. Fish and meat should only be boiled.

In what quantities they should be on the menu depends on the body. An experienced nutritionist will tell each patient individually how much and what foods to consume.

Any diet should not be started abruptly, as this will negatively affect your health. We must gradually stop eating large amounts of protein, pasta and legumes. It is better to replace these products with potatoes or boiled vegetables.

With such a pathology, it is necessary to exclude all salty, spicy and smoked foods. Canned food should also be avoided. Can not use mineral water. Instead of coffee and alcohol you should drink herbal teas, fruit drinks or compotes.

Gradual transition from protein nutrition implies the implementation of the following recommendations:

Boiled fish and meat can be eaten no more than three times in a week.
You should eat oatmeal, buckwheat porridge, white grain and black bread more often (other flour products should be excluded, since carbohydrates deliver to the body a large number of energy).
It is also necessary to consume dairy products, especially cream and sour cream. However, milk is recommended no more than once a week, as it can provoke the formation.

If a person has only one paired organ, it helps remove fluid from the body skin covering. Therefore, we need to take more care of skin hygiene.

Complications and contraindications

Patients' concerns are associated only with kidney pathologies. After all, they have only one organ, so attention to its condition is doubled. The most dangerous manifestations with agenesis are:

Urinary dysfunction. The volume of urine may decrease or even be completely absent.
Renal – an attack of pain accompanied by urination problems.
High blood pressure that cannot be treated with conventional medications. Indicators can reach very high numbers.

If the above manifestations occur, you should immediately contact a nephrologist. If there are no such violations, then it is necessary to conduct an examination at least once a year and take urine and blood tests. The doctor can give various recommendations for each patient individually.

Preventive measures

Healthy food;
do not abuse alcohol;
pass medical checkup once a year;
V moderate degree exercise;
treat all diseases in a timely manner.

Pregnant women should lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits.

An important point in prevention is measures aimed against the development of any renal pathologies. To perform them, patients must stop drinking alcohol and avoid hypothermia. It is also necessary to treat everything in a timely manner infectious diseases. After all, their complicated course can provoke organ damage.

In the presence of increased blood pressure is selected together with the attending physician effective treatment. It is possible to prescribe a combination of two or more drugs, the use of which is supplemented by diet and lifestyle changes.

In this case, blood pressure is constantly monitored. Attention! It should be remembered that in collisions occurring in contact types sports, falls from a bicycle or accidents, there is a possibility of internal injuries.

However, having only one kidney is not a contraindication for sports. Moderate physical activity is an urgent need.

Development: fusion of the upper pole of one kidney with the lower pole of the other, in which the longitudinal axes of the kidneys coincide.

Large medical dictionary. 2000 .

See what “kidney I-” is in other dictionaries:

In plants (gemma), the shoot primordium. It consists of a short rudimentary axis (stem) with a growth cone at the apex and leaf primordia of different ages closely located on the axis, covering the axis and each other, vegetative P., or contains, except... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

Women in animals, one of the abdominal worms, in the form of a bean, serves to separate dilapidated, outdated particles of flesh from the blood, in the form of urine; old bubreg; two kidneys, on both sides of the ridge, under the gander membrane, behind the liver and spleen, and from them... ... Dictionary Dahl

Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

- (1) KIDNEY (1) kidneys, female. (biol.). 1. A plant shoot in an undeveloped state (flower primordium, stem with leaves). The buds on the trees have not yet blossomed. 2. Some lower animals have a small growth in some area. parts of the body from which it develops... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Plants have a shoot primordium. There are vegetative buds, consisting of a rudimentary stem (axis) and leaf primordia, and generative buds, which also carry the primordia of inflorescences and flowers. In the axils of the leaves, axillary buds are formed, giving rise to branches; ...

Old Russian measure of mass. It was used mainly in determining the mass of coins during their minting. In con. 16 start 17th centuries the kidney is equal to 1/25 of the spool... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

KIDNEY, in botany, a small convex formation consisting of a short stalk and tightly rolled underdeveloped leaves covered with a shell of scales. Branches with leaves develop from leaf buds, flowers develop from flower buds (buds) ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

Measure, rudiment, bud, offal, eye, mesonephros, gemmule, bud, plumula, scion Dictionary of Russian synonyms. kidney noun, number of synonyms: 22 bubreg (1) ... Synonym dictionary

bud- shoot of a seed plant (longitudinal section diagram); in the axils of the primordia of the lower leaves, the primordia of axillary buds are visible. bud (gemma) in plants, a rudimentary, not yet developed shoot of a plant. Vegetative P. consists of a short intrarenal... ... Agriculture. Large encyclopedic dictionary

Bud- * bud * bud 1. In yeast, a daughter cell formed during mitosis (see): one cell retains cell wall parent cell, while the other, formed during budding (see), forms a new cell wall. 2. Plants have an undeveloped... Genetics. encyclopedic Dictionary

KIDNEY, and, female 1. A plant shoot that has not yet developed; rudiment of a flower, leaf. Buds on trees. The buds swell, burst, and open. 2. In some lower animals or plants that reproduce asexually: a growth on the body of the mother’s body... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Books

Kidney and electrolytes. Questions water-salt metabolism and the functions of the night have recently attracted more and more attention from researchers in various specialties. There is no doubt that the problem of transport...
Artificial kidney and its clinical application, A. Ya. Pytel, S. D. Goligorsky, M. D. Javad-Zade, N. A. Lopatkin. We present to your attention the book " Artificial kidney and her clinical application"Significant advances in nephrology recent years allowed us to introduce into the practice of treating patients...