Proper nutrition and restrictions. What if I was born with only one "working" kidney

Often people who have one kidney live for many years without getting sick, and only accidentally find out that from birth they have one organ functioning. Living with one kidney means keeping certain rules which can help keep you healthy for many years to come. It is believed that one kidney can take over the functions of two. At the same time, people do not have to severely limit themselves in actions and change their lifestyle. For such a person, sports are not contraindicated, but moderate physical work even necessary. Women may not refuse pregnancy: they have a chance, with the help of doctors, to endure and give birth healthy child, and then calmly take care of him. None Negative consequences do not appear.

How does one kidney function?

Kidneys - paired organ. They accumulate toxins and slags, after which they are excreted in the urine. The kidneys must work well, it depends arterial pressure and the amount of fluid in the cells. If both organs are healthy, the load is distributed evenly. With a decrease in efficiency or loss of one of the kidneys, 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 at incurable diseases this organ (nephrectomy). How many live with one organ? Observing some food restrictions, refusing to bad habits and observing the regimen, a person can fully live with one kidney. If the remaining organ functions without violations, then the disabled person medical indications do not become.

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

Rules for a full life for a person with one kidney

Giving up bad habits will allow you to live full life.

What is needed for a full life if a person is born with one kidney or is it removed? Everything is simple. Diet, a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits (smoking and alcohol) will allow you to live a full life without feeling disabled if you have only one kidney. Some inconveniences and problems in adulthood will accompany you constantly. This high blood pressure, the risk of disruption of the remaining kidney. Pregnancy causes certain difficulties in women.

To avoid complications, patients need to be examined by a specialist annually, especially if the kidney was removed for medical reasons. You don't need to drink a lot. The lifestyle recommended by doctors is able to support the body and improve its functioning. First of all, pay attention to how you need to eat. Food should not be salty or too fatty. Fried is allowed, the menu can include fried meat or other products without using spices. In order for a single kidney to cope with fluid, there are restrictions for drinking water. The approximate rate of fluid per day is 1 liter. If in such a situation someone drinks more than the norm, puffiness appears.

If you are fascinated by professional sports, the absence of one organ is not a hindrance, you can do it for your own pleasure. But leave exhausting workouts and do not set records. You can do exercises in the morning, do fitness or go to the pool several times a week. Any physical education is a useful thing. The kidneys "love" tilting from side to side, circular motions torso. However, do not combine or replace light exercise strength exercises the consequences can be unpredictable. The patient also should not work hard, but you can always find something to your liking, despite the restrictions.

Proper nutrition and restrictions

The body of those who were born without a kidney is accustomed to non-standard conditions, therefore special food provides for errors. The diet is designed, first of all, to minimize the load on the remaining organ, the urinary system, and also to speed up the recovery process after a kidney has been cut out to a person. The menu should not contain homemade and purchased pickles and marinades. For salt, significant restrictions must be made. It is also better to reduce the intake of proteins. So you will facilitate the work of the remaining kidney, it will be able to remain healthy for a long time. Products are best boiled, baked or stewed. From time to time you can cook fried dishes.

The basis of nutrition should be easily digestible food.

Meals are built in such a way that the basis is easily digestible food. The main thing is how much fluid enters the body. There should be no shortage or oversupply. That is why it is so important for patients to support right balance. And clearly calculate the amount of water entering the body. You can’t do without water at all, it should help the kidney remove toxins, so every day you need to drink some clean drinking water. But coffee, ice cream, beer and alcohol are taboo. Without them, you can live and facilitate the work of the body. Not drinking alcohol is a kind of lifestyle and belief. Forever avoid:

rich pastries and fresh white bread;
canned food, sausages and semi-finished products;
rich broths, fatty meat;
mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, onions and garlic;
mineral water with sodium;

At first, diet food will seem tasteless, insipid, especially if you have previously eaten dishes with the addition of artificial flavors and flavor enhancers. Healthy food made from the following products:

bran bread;
vegetarian first courses with butter;
turkey, veal, rabbit (meat a week after surgery);
eggs and dairy products;
potatoes, beets, cauliflower, cucumbers and lettuce;
cereals;
tea, compote, fruit and vegetable juice, with the addition of drinking water.

Ready meals should be warm, not hot and not too cold. Fresh vegetables and fruits can be eaten, but you should not do experiments that can affect health (especially when it comes to children) and switch to fasting or a raw food diet, which can lead to a decrease in internal fat holding the kidney in place. You need to drink fluids in moderation. Those who have one kidney at birth or as a result of an operation may well be engaged in physical education. Please note that the athlete must eat in a special way. What to do in this case? For example, bodybuilding, in addition to training, involves increased content protein in the diet, which is undesirable for those who, being sick, will try to increase muscle mass. It is believed that you should avoid activities where there is high probability injuries: football, basketball, boxing. From an injury to a single kidney, there is a risk of living the rest of your life thanks to dialysis and dying early.

However, in Lately doctors are not so categorical, because severe injuries organs are quite rare. Therefore, children and young people who were born without a kidney can start classes without fear. How long they will last - see how you feel. Training will not affect health. If, as a parent, you are apprehensive, have your child enjoy the pool a few times a week. This activity strengthens health, improves immunity. Lifestyle enhances its quality.

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The kidneys are the most important organs living being. In their absence or complete removal without the connection of 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.

The kidneys are paired organs that excrete unnecessary and harmful metabolic products, 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 is the regulation of the balance of acids and alkalis in the blood plasma.
Metabolism (metabolism) - the formation of vitamins, maintaining the volume of lipids (fats), carbohydrates and proteins in internal fluids at the proper level.
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, storage in the body the right amount water.

Aplasia, agenesis of an organ - underdevelopment or congenital absence of an organ.
Dysplasia is the name of the defect renal tissue preventing the body from carrying out its functions.
Nephrectomy - forced surgical removal organ. This measure is necessary in the presence of large cysts on the kidney, urolithiasis With purulent lesions, the formation of axalat stones in the organ, serious developmental anomalies, malignant tumor, physical injury, accompanied by the expansion of renal tissues.
Donating a kidney to another person.

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

Do they live with one kidney? Definitely yes. With the loss of one organ, the other completely takes over its functions, hypertrophies (increases in size), and begins to work with a vengeance. Such a phenomenon (restorative, compensatory) is the norm for a living organism.

If you can live with one kidney, then is it possible to live without them? Today this is also possible. The way out is the installation of lifelong dialysis (“artificial kidney” system) or transplantation of 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 protective functions their body.

violation of the main renal functions;
high blood pressure (hypertension);
formation in the abdominal region of adhesions, hernia;
recurrence of tumor formation (if the kidney was removed due to the defeat of its cancer cells).

Dairy, sour-milk products - 2-3 times a week. The restriction 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. Acceptable unrefined cold-pressed vegetable oils: mustard, sesame, sunflower, olive, corn, linseed.
Carbohydrates. From simple species the patient is advised to refuse: sugars, sweets, carbonated drinks, bakery products made from white flour. Preference complex carbohydrates: grain black bread, cereals, bran, vegetables.
Squirrels. The amount of consumption of protein foods (meat, fish - only lean 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 fluid per day. This volume will not overload the kidney and at the same time will help to remove all toxins from the body. Preference for vegetable and fruit juices diluted with water, fruit drinks. Do not abuse strong black and green tea, coffee, meat broths.
Spices. Salt intake should be minimized.

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

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

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

Unhealthy food

conservation, home and store, including from marinades and pickles;
sausages, sausages, smoked products, semi-finished products;
sweets containing white sugar;
sweet pastries from white flour;
sweet sparkling waters;
medical mineral drinks(especially those containing sodium);
any alcohol - even beer;
fatty meat and broths from it;
salty, fried, spicy food;
onions, garlic, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms.

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

One kidney and pregnancy

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

A person can be born with only one kidney. This condition is called renal agenesis. Another deviation, which is 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 life.
A person may have had one kidney removed during surgery, to treat an injury, or a disease (such as cancer).
A person could donate a kidney to another person who needed a transplant.

Interesting. I considered people with one kidney almost invalids. And there are just a few restrictions. Basically, keep internal organs from injuries, regardless of the number of kidneys). And I didn’t even suspect that the kidney was growing.
All the same, in this case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the quality of the fluids consumed.

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

I did not know that the kidney accelerates its growth if left alone.
But what's so surprising about that? 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, but I would start with the head. Too bad she's the only one

A friend's kidney was removed about 4-5 years ago, he feels quite normal after this time. 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 it’s worth browsing the Internet, many are simply deleted to earn money, this is sheer stupidity!

When you're in your 50s and the memory of having your kidney removed for a new iPhone, you'll obviously hate yourself for it.

and if you remove the kidney not for the sake of the iPhone, but in order to be with your children next to you?

You may not need to follow a diet, but alcohol is probably banned? 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, it was almost like that.

Hello. I Live With One Kidney And I Have Increasing Arterial Pressure. This is fine?

It is important here to take into account your age and period, how long you have been missing a kidney, how often problems with pressure are observed.
Many people suffer from hypertension and prehypertension today, and unhealthy kidneys are one of the most common causes. The absence of one kidney can also be the cause of high blood pressure, but it usually takes long time. Those. it usually takes several years after the loss of a kidney before it affects the pressure.
Be sure to be examined by a doctor who, if necessary, will prescribe drugs to treat or maintain normal pressure. After all high pressure affects the health of the kidneys themselves, and can further exacerbate the problem.
Try to follow the right 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 not to eat to maintain normal 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 to the army with one kidney, served in the Far East and even in the Marine Corps!

Hello Alexander .. I also live with one kidney, I also served in the Army, I’m 33 years old, I would like to exchange impressions ... 89199342434 I have a viber registered at this number, if you read my letter, write to me, because if you call that number, I won’t succeed to Tajikistan

I don’t think that someone will be happy to be with one kidney ... Problems in later life are provided, but there’s nothing to be done if fate is like that for you (

Good day to all. My kidney was removed when I was in the first grade (I was born like that), one functioned stably, but the second did not develop at all. The rehabilitation course took almost 2 years (I was very worried) I studied at home, I thought everything was the end of my whole life. They convinced me that I was disabled, everything was forbidden to me (I was then 6 years old, at that age you would believe everything) I limited myself in everything. By the age of 11, this began to bother me - without listening to anyone, I began to play sports, began to harden, 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 for myself to live a full, healthy life (after a couple of years they reconciled) this moment I am 23 years old, more than 17 years have passed since the operation, I still do powerlifting and lead a completely healthy lifestyle - I forgot when last time went to the hospital, even a simple runny nose has not taken me for 5 years for sure. Problems arise only in Employment - the army has disappeared - any physical work under the ban - everything related to the organs of postures is a complete ban. And in the rest I live quite a full-active life and do not pay attention to anything. After so many years after the operation, my kidney has increased in size by 2 and functions for 2 with 100% return. But only in the last 2 years, my blood pressure began to rise strongly. I don’t feel it at all, but every time I check it, almost always the standard is 150-160 by 80-90. That's just the most unpleasant thing I'm afraid of is a heartbeat of 100-110, the current is almost always, regardless of whether I do something or not. But all this does not bother me at all and is not felt in life. In general, if you have one kidney, then you should not bury yourself, live a full, healthy life. Everything will be fine for you - good luck and a pleasant life)

Hello. I am very pleased with your attitude to life and observance healthy lifestyle life. This will help many who read your story. This example is very important.
But something needs to be done about the pressure. This is very huge pressure on the cardiovascular system, which in the future can greatly affect. It is better to consult a doctor, because there will be less harm from taking certain types antihypertensive drugs than hypertension without treatment. Most of these drugs are prescribed for top pressure from 160, but if you have repeatedly noticed 150, then it is quite possible that it often jumps to such an indicator (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 verify the presence of deviations, it is necessary to repeatedly measure blood pressure over a certain period of time.
And the sport you have chosen for yourself is not very useful. I do not argue, it is one of the most exciting and has a lot of advantages, but not for the state of health in general. Cardio loads are much more beneficial for of cardio-vascular system, and power, with the wrong approach, adversely affects it. But I think you will have more experience in this than mine, since it is clear that you clever man. Please consult with your therapist about this.
And thanks again for the great example.

Cardio loads are mandatory, because only with the help of them you can make the muscles of the heart elastic and stronger. However, read articles on this subject (how to properly train the heart). Pressure, by at least should get better. By the way, cardio training, as you probably know, contributes to the development of the relief, and your body is most likely not sickly pumped.
Z.Y. I am proud of such people who do not despair, but always go forward. Good luck to you!

I have an almost similar story :) I studied at school, was engaged in boxing, wrestling. After graduating from school, he entered military school, at the school he was an excellent student of sports and hand-to-hand combat:), after graduation, he ended up serving in a special unit, fought, after for a long time worked as an instructor in the training of officers of the forces special purpose, while actively involved in sports trained like crazy! Every day I had to endure a huge physical load! At the age of 30, I quit and went to work for a civilian, but at the same time I continue to actively engage in Thai boxing, I swim, I run, I really like to take a steam bath in the bath, sometimes I dive into the hole :). I never smoked or drank alcohol in my life ... During my studies at school and at the military school, there were two very severe inflammation lungs, thank God, everything worked out. And then, at the age of 39, I was admitted to the hospital with suspected appendicitis and, when examined, they did not find appendicitis, but upon careful examination, it turned out that I did not have right kidney and never had it and I did not even know about it! Why am I telling this, a lot of people become discouraged and believe that everyone ... they are inferior people. It's all wrong! Of course, if my parents had known since childhood that I had such a situation, they would probably have strapped me to the sofa and forbidden me to do anything, but the thing is that no one knew this ... And I had to freeze in the snow at the shooting and on I also had to lie down in my classes and the loads were simply not human and everything would be wonderful. So don't worry, life doesn't stop there! Of course, you need to follow the diet and lifestyle, but you should not lose heart. In conclusion, I want to say that I, GLORY GOD, have a wife and two wonderful children, and absolutely healthy ones.
live full life and be happy :), GOD HELP US ALL!

Hello, my son, who was born from twins, had such a problem! He is now 20 years old and I first learned about this a month ago and only because they began to examine my son for 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 one ureter. Do you need a donor kidney?

I struggled with pressure for a long time. The doctors said it was from the nerve. And 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 not? In Russia, they immediately give the second group.

And it turns out that disability will not be given or what? if an elderly person has kidney cancer removed, will they be disabled or not

The issue of assigning a 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 normative act many factors play a role: how does the absence of a kidney affect health, how much time has passed since the removal and its cause, how does this affect disability (self-service, etc.). It is difficult to describe everything briefly, especially since the decision is made by a commission of specialists that takes into account all this and may not always be as objective as possible. But here are the main points:
1. If the only kidney is your own and there are no health problems with the second one or its damage is insignificant, then this is considered 30% of the violation of the functions of the human body (I degree). Those. these are minor violations and the group will most likely not be given if there are also no restrictions on life.
2. If there is more serious violations in the work of the other kidney - this is already 60-100% of the violation of the functions of the human body (III-VI degree), then the second or first group of disability should already be assigned.
3. In case of transplantation of the only functioning kidney - the first 2 years is 90-100% violation of the functions of the body (VI degree), i.e. This is group I disability. After these two years - 50% (II degree), which means already the 3rd group of disability.
4. After removal of a malignant renal pelvis or tumor, everything depends on the stage of the formation itself, at which it was when removed. But the first 2-5 years, at least 50% of the violation of the functions of the human body (II degree), i.e. at least 3rd disability group.

For more details, see the order itself, to which the link is 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 disability, but every year they hint that I have healthy child and they won’t renew it for the next year ... But: based on the law, every year I talk about restrictions. When they ask what kind of restrictions he has in his life, I answer simply: my son wants to play hockey, but you can’t. a nephrologist will confirm that until a person grows up, no one will guarantee that the only kidney will develop correctly and that we will see at the age of 25-30. Therefore, before this age, there should be no question of removing disability.

Hi all. I have 1 kidney since birth. And I learned about it only in the army at the end of my service. I served normally and live without any restrictions. Before the army, there was time to drink decently and nothing. After he returned, he quit, continued to play sports. I run marathons calmly at an average pace in 3.5-4 hours, I ride a bike for 150 km, I have been riding a board and skiing for 6 years. So advice to everyone with a similar anomaly - Hammer it and live normally, as you want.

I found out about the missing kidney only at the age of 20 when I was drafted into the army, is this normal? If not for the call, I would not have known that I was born without a right kidney. Didn't get drafted into the army

is it possible to go diving with one kidney and in general, in fact, diving associated with long delay air? is it beneficial or vice versa?

Hello Yuri.
Sorry for the delay - I just arrived and haven't been to 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 adversely affect health.
But in the case of renal failure (when we are talking about a person on hemodialysis), the situation is different here. 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 dulling of the sensorium (the ability to sense), a deterioration in perception and a decrease in underwater skills. But here, too, everything is individual and there are no exact numbers, because elevated level of these substances in the blood can affect in different ways different people.
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 didn’t refuse anything in life, there was a time that I drank to the fullest, but I stopped drinking alcohol for 4 years, I lead a healthy lifestyle, I have 4 children, two twins. I work as a builder, I used to work as a bricklayer, but now I’m already a foreman and opened my own business, I’ve never had a health problem, but lately the pressure has also been reported 140-90, 150,160 I don’t understand, this is due to 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, let’s live as it will be ... Thank you all

I have been living with one kidney (right) for 19 years. Nothing can be lived. 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. No signs, no pain, I found out when I underwent a medical examination! They said you need to get away because it's like a time bomb! Your second kidney has long taken over the function of both kidneys, so you don’t have to worry, but when you hear all these recommendations restrictions 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, pains began in the left side, pains did not go away for 7.8 hours, painkillers saved me. When asked by doctors, they always said an ulcer or gastritis, the last time they started very severe pain. He began to do an examination, which turned out to be a hostile anomaly of the development of the urinary tract, the artery was tied up with the urethra and the kidney could hardly drain fluid. The kidney, as the doctors said, had not worked for three years, and the right one had already taken over the work in two. The kidney was removed and now it's been almost three months, I feel good, there is rarely high blood pressure. I can say one thing that life after the removal has not changed much, of course, for the first 1.5 years, if the restrictions of which must be adhered to. If someone still has to face this, there is nothing fatal here, and as they say that you won’t live long or you’ll be disabled, don’t believe this is speculation of people who have not encountered this, and any professional doctor will say that everything will be fine with you in the future. The main thing is to take care of your health in time.

The kidneys are the most important organs of a living being. In their absence or complete removal without the connection of 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

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

filtration of blood constituents; 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 features:

Direct participation in hematopoiesis. Osmoregulation - maintaining the proper level of water and the percentage of salts in the body. Ionoregulation - adjusting the balance of acids and alkalis in the blood plasma. Metabolism (metabolism) - the 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 the regulation of the total volume of circulating blood, the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and the preservation of the right amount of water in the body.

Possible reasons for the absence of an organ

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

Aplasia, agenesis of an organ - underdevelopment or congenital absence of an organ. Dysplasia - this is the name of a defect in the kidney tissue that does not allow the organ to carry out its functions. Nephrectomy is a 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 decay of the kidney tissues. Kidney donation to another person.

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

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

Features of the functioning of one organ

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 at 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 do they live without a kidney?" incorrect.

The consequences may be as follows:

violation of the main renal functions; high blood pressure (hypertension); formation of adhesions, hernia in the abdominal region; recurrence of tumor formation (if the kidney was removed due to damage to its cancer cells).

How to live with one kidney after surgery: patients should periodically visit a nephrologist, take biochemical analyzes to monitor the functioning of the body 1-2 times a year. Sometimes Recommended CT scan. A person becomes fully able-bodied after two months of rehabilitation. A woman with one kidney can normally endure childbirth 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 in full force? Follow a certain diet. It reduces the load on the only functioning organ and the urinary system as a whole, helps to recover faster.

In the first 24 hours after surgery, the patient is offered to completely refuse food. Two hours after nephrectomy, mouth rinsing is allowed, taking a small amount water. Since sometimes the removal of the kidney is accompanied by a violation of the functions of the intestine, then to stabilize its functions, appropriate medicines and special meals.

The main conditions of the diet during the rehabilitation period:

Dairy, sour-milk products - 2-3 times a week. The restriction 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, linseed. Carbohydrates. It is recommended that the patient refuse simple types: sugars, sweets, carbonated drinks, bakery products made from white flour. Preference for complex carbohydrates: grain black bread, cereals, bran, vegetables. Proteins. The amount of protein intake (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 fluid per day. This volume will not overload the kidney and at the same time will help to remove all toxins from the body. Preference for vegetable and fruit juices diluted with water, fruit drinks. Do not abuse strong black and green tea, coffee, meat broths. Spices. Salt intake should be minimized.

Starvation, vegetarianism, a raw food diet are undesirable - such a diet can deprive the kidney of a supporting layer of fat, thanks to which it is held 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 preserve the maximum of useful and necessary microelements and vitamins in cooked dishes.

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

quail eggs; low-fat dairy products; unsalted hard cheese; pasta from durum wheat varieties; low-fat fish; cereals; vegetable broths; low-fat 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? Avoid the following foods completely:

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

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

Speaking about how to live with one kidney correctly, one cannot but touch on sports. Hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, skating, swimming pool activities, equestrian sports, physiotherapy, fitness, morning work-out. The kidneys "love" circular rotation of the body, tilts.

However, you should refrain from power sports, exhausting workouts, professional records. It is also worth paying attention to the diet of the athlete. Bodybuilders, bodybuilders are shown an increased intake of protein, which is unacceptable for a 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 in the presence of one kidney were considered deadly for a woman - there was a risk that the organ could fail. The level of modern medical care allows you to get 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. A contraindication to pregnancy is only the removal of a kidney due to cancer.

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

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 can only have one kidney:

A person can be born with only one kidney. This condition is called renal agenesis. Another deviation, which is 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 a normal, healthy life. A person may have had one kidney removed during surgery, to treat an injury, or a disease (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, then the remaining kidney will grow faster and be larger than normal. The remaining bud may grow to be almost the same size as two buds together. This helps it do all the work that two kidneys normally do.

Such growth is called "compensatory" or "recovery". This happens in different ways: may be the result of acceleration 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 with increased speed. Eventually, the remaining kidney may grow until it is the same size as the two combined. In other words, one healthy kidney can work for two.

Can a transplanted kidney work for two?

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

What threatens life with one kidney in the future?

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

In some people who were born with one kidney, or had one removed during childhood, there is a chance that kidney function will fail later in life. This usually occurs after 25 years or more. There is also a chance of having an increased blood pressure in more late age(suffering from hypertension). However, the loss of kidney function is usually not significant, and life expectancy does not change much. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal life with a few minor restrictions.

How often should a person with one kidney be examined?

Kidney function should be checked at least once a year. For this, a simple analysis of urine and blood is sufficient. You should also measure your blood pressure at least once a year, unless there is a specific reason to do so more frequently.

Can a person with one kidney play sports?

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

Wearing protective clothing, such as a protective vest under your clothing, can help protect your kidneys from injury while playing sports. This may help reduce the risk, but it does not eliminate it! It's worth talking to your doctor if you (or your child) want to get involved 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 single kidney diet?

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 a medical condition or kidney failure, then some restrictions in food are possible. If you have questions about your diet, it's worth talking to your doctor or dietitian.

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

This will also help 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 organ functioning. Living with one kidney involves following certain rules that can help maintain health for many years. It is believed that one kidney can take over the functions of two. At the same time, people do not have to severely limit themselves in actions and change their lifestyle. For such a person, sports are not contraindicated, and moderate physical labor is even necessary. Women may not refuse pregnancy: they have a chance, with the help of doctors, to endure and give birth to a healthy child, and then calmly take care of him. There are no negative consequences.

How does one kidney function?

The kidneys are a paired organ. They accumulate toxins and slags, after which they are excreted in the urine. The kidneys should work well, blood pressure and the amount of fluid in the cells depend on this. If both organs are healthy, the load is distributed evenly. With a decrease in efficiency or loss of one of the kidneys, almost all functions are taken over by the other. The consequences of this are an increase in size, which is a physiological norm. There are several reasons for the absence of one of the kidneys: a congenital anomaly (agenesis or aplasia) or surgical removal for incurable diseases of this organ (nephrectomy). How many live with one organ? By observing some food restrictions, giving up bad habits and observing the regimen, a person can fully live with one kidney. If the remaining organ functions without violations, then they do not become disabled for medical reasons.

It happens that patients lose both kidneys. What to do in this case, what is the way out? Here, either lifelong hemodialysis or transplantation (transplantation) of a healthy organ from a donor can save. The main problem of people living with a transplanted kidney is the constant danger of rejection. At the same time, the immune system perceives the new organ as a foreign body, and lymphocytes begin to try to destroy it. A 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 transplanted one, will be acceptable. A transplanted kidney will work in two if you monitor your weight, take the prescribed medications in full, follow the recommendations of the transplantologist, and regularly take tests. You also need a lifelong diet, from which alcohol is excluded.

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.

Big Medical Dictionary. 2000 .

See what "kidney I-" is in other dictionaries:

In plants (gemma), the germ of the shoot. Consists of a short rudimentary axis (stem) with a growth cone at the apex and closely spaced on the axis of uneven-aged leaf primordia covering the axis and each other, vegetative P., or contains, in addition to ... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

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

Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

- (1) KIDNEY (1) kidneys, fem. (biol.). 1. The shoot of a plant in an undeveloped state (the germ of a flower, a stem with leaves). The trees have not yet budded. 2. Some lower animals have a small outgrowth in a certain. parts of the body from which it develops ... ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

Plants have a shoot bud. There are vegetative buds, consisting of a rudimentary stem (axis) and leaf primordia, and generative buds, also bearing the rudiments 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 mainly used in determining the mass of coins during their minting. In con. 16 early 17th century 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 folded underdeveloped leaves, covered with a sheath of scales. Branches with leaves develop from leaf buds, flowers develop from flower buds (buds) ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

Measure, germ, kidney, offal, peephole, mesonephros, gemmula, bud, plumula, scion Dictionary of Russian synonyms. kidney n., number of synonyms: 22 bubreg (1) ... Synonym dictionary

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

Bud- * kidney * bud 1. Yeast daughter cell, formed during mitosis (see): one cell retains the 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, wives. 1. A plant shoot that has not yet developed; germ of a flower, leaf. Buds on trees. They swell, burst, buds open. 2. In some lower animals or plants that reproduce asexually: an outgrowth on the body maternal organism … Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

Books

Kidney and electrolytes, . Questions water-salt metabolism and functions of the nights have recently attracted more and more attention of researchers of various specialties. Undoubtedly, the problem of transport ...
Artificial kidney and its clinical application, A. Ya. Pytel, S. D. Goligorsky, M. D. Javad-Zade, N. A. Lopatkin. Your attention is invited to the book " artificial kidney and her clinical application". Significant advances in nephrology recent years allowed to introduce into practice the treatment of patients ...

Most people with one kidney lead normal lives. But it all depends on the reason why the person lost this body. And these reasons, which lead to the loss or malfunction of one of the two organs, are several. One of these is congenital pathology. For example, at the stage prenatal development only one kidney is formed in the baby, or after birth, during development, only one left or right kidney develops and grows (such a deviation is called dysplasia). Surgical removal is also possible nephrectomy) in connection with the defeat of such diseases as: tumor, polycystic, 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, the subsequent treatment, rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation diets, as well as the daily lifestyle of a person, will be determined.

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 is performing its functions, do not be alarmed. Thanks to the ability of our body to adapt, the remaining organ, in order to perform all the functions for two, will develop faster both functionally and physically and can reach almost twice the size of the standard ( standard sizes kidneys approximately 12 cm long, 5.5 cm wide).

If the kidney is removed due to illness or injury

When these organs (kidneys) work in pairs, each of them uses its capabilities by a quarter. After nephrectomy, blood flow to the remaining kidney increases one and a half times, which allows to increase functionality the remaining organ is almost doubled. The process of final adaptation of one kidney to all additional loads quite long 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, no indications or additional procedures are necessary. The person can continue to lead a normal life.

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

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

Pregnancy with one kidney

Pregnancy and one kidney are quite compatible, but there are a number of factors that can affect your health or the development of the fetus in the future. To predict pregnancy and childbirth with such a pathology, the diagnosis or the reason for which the organ is missing is of great importance.

If you have congenital pathology , then before conception it will be enough to consult with your doctor. If you have transferred kidney removal surgery and plan to conceive, you need to wait 2-3 years until the adaptation of the remaining kidney to increased load. And also to treat and prevent the remaining organ, if the cause of nephrectomy (removal) was an infection.

Pregnancy with one kidney usually proceeds normally. Indications of urine tests practically do not differ from standard indicators during pregnancy. The excretion of urine is not disturbed.

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 parted with one of the kidneys, your body experiences a certain load, both in filtering functions and in 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 rate liquids, including soups, tea, juices, etc., should be within 1 liter;
significantly reduce the amount of salt in cooking.

It is not recommended to completely abandon carbohydrates and proteins. Their amount in the daily diet should correspond to daily rate person. 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. Also, it is recommended to change the way of cooking. Replace fried foods with boiled, stewed, baked. Especially welcome dishes on steam bath. They are very easily absorbed by the body, while maintaining the maximum usefulness of the products that were used in the 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 compiling a diet, be sure to consult a nephrologist or nutritionist, because, depending on each individual case, nutrition may differ.