If you need a kidney, who do you think would give it to you?

If you need a kidney Donation, who do you think would give it to you?

Two methods of living donation types :

Directed donation is when the living donor chooses the specific person with kidney disease to who they want to donate their kidneys, such as a family member or friend.

Non-directed donation is when the living donor does not have a specific person they will donate their kidney to. Instead, they donate their kidney to a stranger, such as through a paired kidney exchange program.

To be a living kidney donor, you must be age 18 or older, Have two healthy, working kidneys, and Be healthy enough to donate.  

How can I tell if I'm in good enough health to donate a kidney?

You will need to have a full health evaluation at the transplant center. The donor evaluation team's various members will be present when you meet them. This team is specially assigned to work with you as a possible living donor and includes members similar to those on the transplant team. Your donor evaluation team will use the evaluation to determine whether you are fit and prepared to donate a living kidney.

You will take numerous tests and exams as part of the evaluation, such as Heart and lung tests, Blood pressure checks, Blood tests, such as learning your blood and tissue types, Urine tests, A spira,l CT (computed tomography) scan or other imaging of your kidneys, Colonoscopy to test for colon cancer if you are older than 50, Prostate exam if you are a man, Mammogram (test for breast cancer) and Pap smear (test for cervical cancer) if you are a woman. 

You can get all of these tests at a time that fits your schedule, without having to stay overnight in a hospital. 

A social worker will also speak with you. They will question you to determine whether you are physically, cognitively, and emotionally prepared to donate a kidney and whether you will have a network of supporters following the procedure.

You might be permitted to donate your kidney if the donor evaluation team determines that you are healthy and a good match for the recipient of your kidney.

Who is on the donor evaluation team?

The following individuals usually make the donor evaluation team:

Social workers assess your social network and financial situation and assist you with any problems, including emotional ones, ones involving physical side effects, or money.

Dietitians who assess your eating patterns and level of activity can assist in developing a plan to make healthy decisions both before and after organ donation surgery.

Transplant surgeons who do the donation surgery

Doctors who have special training in a certain area of medicine such as the heart, kidney or liver. They help make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.

Living donor coordinators who help organize your evaluation, prepare you for surgery, and help coordinate follow-up care after surgery 

A living donor advocate who will make sure your rights are protected and that your choice to donate is voluntary

What might stop me from making a kidney donation?

Some medical issues, such as the following, may preclude you from donating a kidney: 

• Heart, lung, or blood vessel diseases
• High blood pressure, in most cases
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer, except for certain skin cancers
• Serious mental health conditions
• Certain infections, such as HIV
• Drug or alcohol use disorder
• Being very overweight (obese)

If I consume alcohol, can I still give a kidney?

To find out if you can give, speak with your donor evaluation team. in most instances

• You can probably proceed with donating a kidney if you drink alcohol moderately (up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men).
  
  
• If you have issues with alcohol misuse, you may not be able to donate a kidney. Drinking too much alcohol can affect your overall health.

What advantages could kidney donation have?

The potential advantages of kidney donation 

• Help the recipient (the person who gets your kidney) live a longer, healthier life
  
  
• Save the life of another person
  
  
• Better understand your own health and health problems through the in-depth evaluation

What dangers might kidney donation pose?

There could be financial, psychological, and physical hazards associated with kidney donation. You and the donor evaluation team will go over any potential dangers. If you have a high risk, they won't allow you to give.

Physical risks :

There are risks to any surgery. Possible risks from surgery include : 

• Pain at the surgery site
• Bloating
• Feeling weak and tired
• Bleeding and blood clots
• Problems from being put to sleep, such as pneumonia (lung infection)
• Blocked bowel (being unable to pass stool or poop)
• Infection
• A scar from the surgery
• Feeling sick to your stomach

Emotional risks : 

Following surgery, some kidney donors might have:

• Anxiety or feeling guilty if the kidney they donated isn't working well
• Stress
• Depression
• Fear

Talk with your donor evaluation team during evaluation and after donation for help coping with your feelings. 

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Have a nice day to you!