how can you donate a kidney

There are two ways you can make a donation of kidney to someone in need: donating in life and donating after the death (only if the cause of death is not cardiac-related). When there are no living people to donate kidneys, those on a transplant waiting list must wait for a kidney from someone who has passed.

Full Answer

What are the pros and cons of donating a kidney?

If you don’t know anyone who needs a transplant, and are willing to consider donating to anyone, you have several options: National Kidney Registry We are the largest paired exchange program in the world and provide unequaled Donor Shield® protections for our donors including reimbursement for lost wages, travel & lodging.

What are the dangers of donating a kidney?

Mar 25, 2022 · A live donor kidney can last about twice as long, on average, as a deceased donor kidney. A willing donor receives tremendous emotional benefit by fulfilling their wish to donate. The gift of a live donor kidney allows the recipient to come off the transplant waiting list, thereby allowing someone else to receive a deceased donor kidney.

What happens to your body when you donate a kidney?

Living donor surgery. Blood tests. Urine tests. Pap smear/ gynecological exam. Colonoscopy (if over age 50) Screening tests for cancer. Antibody test. X-ray. Electrocardiogram (EKG) which looks at your heart. Other image testing like a CT scan.

How safe is donating a kidney?

Jul 22, 2019 · Instead, I wanted to give my friend another chance at life. It is an odd feeling to know that one organ in your body can completely change another person's life, which is why I was so fortunate to be a perfect match for my friend Matt Fulgieri, who needed a lifesaving kidney donation back in 2007. Donating my kidney was no heroic act.

What would disqualify you from donating a kidney?

As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older . You must also have normal kidney function . There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor . These include having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, or acute infections .

How serious is donating a kidney?

Kidney donation involves major surgery and there are risks, including bleeding and infection. But the overwhelming majority of kidney donors recover with minimal complications. After your kidney is removed (nephrectomy), you'll usually stay only overnight in the hospital and complete your recovery at home.

Do kidney donors get money?

After the organ broker—the guy who sets up your kidney-for-cash transaction—takes his cut, he needs to pay for travel, the surgeon, medical supplies and a few “look-the-other-way” payoffs. Most people get $1,000 to $10,000 for their kidney (probably much less than you were hoping for).Aug 29, 2013

Can an alive person donate a kidney?

Living-kidney donation is the most common type of living-donor transplant. Individuals can donate one of their two kidneys, and the remaining kidney is able to perform the necessary functions.Feb 5, 2022

How painful is donating a kidney?

How much will it hurt? Everyone is different, but you could be in a lot of pain after the surgery. But it will get easier each day, and there are different types of pain relievers to make you feel better. Shortly after surgery, as your anesthesia wears off, you'll get pain medication through an IV into a vein.Nov 19, 2020

Can I drink alcohol with one kidney?

Alcohol affects all of your body's organs. However, the effects of alcohol on one kidney lead to multiple issues. Although drinking one to two drinks a day typically won't be an issue, if you have one kidney, it will. When you drink, you will generally urinate more.Oct 16, 2020

What is the best age to donate a kidney?

18 years or olderTo donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health.As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older.

Can a female donate a kidney to a male?

Conclusions. Our results suggested gender matching for kidney transplant. Only in some exceptional conditions, male donor to female recipient kidney transplant may be successful and female donors to male recipients are not suggested, especially in aged patients with the history of dialysis.Jan 6, 2020

Can you live without kidney?

Most people who are born without a kidney (or with only one working kidney) lead normal, healthy lives. A person may have had one kidney removed during an operation in order to treat an injury or a disease like cancer.

Do kidneys grow back?

It was thought that kidney cells didn't reproduce much once the organ was fully formed, but new research shows that the kidneys are regenerating and repairing themselves throughout life.Jun 19, 2014

How do I donate my kidney to a friend?

If you want to give your kidney to a friend or family member, talk to the doctor at the transplant center. You'll start taking tests to see if you're a match. If you want to give a kidney to someone you don't know, contact your nearest transplant center. You can find out if they have a nondirected donor program.Dec 7, 2020

Are kidney donors able to live normal, healthy lives after donation?

Donors can live a normal life after donation. We fully evaluate everybody prior to allowing them to donate and if we do determine that there are co...

Does donating a kidney shorten your lifespan?

Donors actually tend to live a longer life because they tend to take much better care of themselves post-donation and hence have a better quality o...

Are kidney donors more likely to get kidney disease?

A huge component of the donor evaluation is assessing the kidney function of the potential donor. If it’s determined that that donor has any type o...

Do you have to be young to donate a kidney?

People into their 70s can donate a kidney—it is all about the health of the potential living donor. The oldest donor that I helped get through the...

Does a kidney donor have to take medications for the rest of their life?

A kidney donor will be given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners at discharge from the hospital. These are only for the immediate...

Will a kidney donor experience debilitating pain for an extended period of time?

A kidney donor will have some pain after surgery from both the incisions and related to gas and bloating. This pain will diminish in the days follo...

Will a kidney donor will be on bed rest following surgery?

A kidney donor will be out of bed and walking independently before discharge from the hospital.

Will a kidney donor have to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time after surgery?

A kidney donor will be hospitalized for two nights (i.e., if surgery is on a Tuesday, the donor will typically be discharged on Thursday).

Will a kidney donor still be able to exercise and participate in sports?

A kidney donor should be able to return to regular activities and exercise at approximately four to six weeks following surgery.

Do kidney donors have to follow a special diet following donation?

A kidney donor should eat a healthy, well balanced diet. There are no dietary restrictions following donation.

How to remove kidneys?

There are two different surgeries your doctor may perform to remove your kidney: an open incision removal and a laparoscopic procedure. The laparoscopic procedure is much less invasive, which means there are fewer risks involved and the recovery time is shorter.

Why is it important to have regular checkups?

The purpose of this is to make sure you are healing properly, so be sure to go to all scheduled appointments. It is also important to continue getting regular medical checkups throughout your life. Your doctor may want to monitor your kidney function to make sure your remaining kidney is functioning properly.

Can you have only one kidney?

While your body is perfectly capable of functioning normally with only one kidney, you will be at a disadvantage should your remaining kidney fail. If you end up needing a kidney transplant, you will be given preference as a prior donor.

Does insurance cover kidney transplant?

Most of the time, your medical expenses will be covered by either the recipient’s insurance or by the transplant center if you choose to donate a kidney. Make sure to find out if you will be responsible for any costs. Also, keep in mind that the surgery may have many hidden costs that are not covered.

Is WikiHow a copyright?

All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.

Can you donate a kidney to a stranger?

You also have the option of donating to a stranger or participating in a paired exchange donation, which means you will donate your kidney to a stranger on the condition that a compatible stranger also donates a kidney to your loved one.

Are kidney donors able to live normal, healthy lives after donation?

Donors can live a normal life after donation. We fully evaluate everybody prior to allowing them to donate and if we do determine that there are contraindications to donating and we’re putting them at high risk then we will not clear somebody to donate.

Does donating a kidney shorten your lifespan?

Donors actually tend to live a longer life because they tend to take much better care of themselves post-donation and hence have a better quality of life.

Are kidney donors more likely to get kidney disease?

A huge component of the donor evaluation is assessing the kidney function of the potential donor. If it’s determined that that donor has any type of kidney disease, they will not be allowed to donate.

Do you have to be young to donate a kidney?

People into their 70s can donate a kidney—it is all about the health of the potential living donor. The oldest donor that I helped get through the donation process was 78—he donated to his wife and lived a perfectly healthy life afterwards.

Does a kidney donor have to take medications for the rest of their life?

A kidney donor will be given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners at discharge from the hospital. These are only for the immediate post-operative period, after that time, a donor does not have to take medication. A kidney donor will never have to take anti-rejection medications.

Will a kidney donor experience debilitating pain for an extended period of time?

A kidney donor will have some pain after surgery from both the incisions and related to gas and bloating. This pain will diminish in the days following surgery and can be controlled with pain medication if necessary.

Will a kidney donor will be on bed rest following surgery?

A kidney donor will be out of bed and walking independently before discharge from the hospital.

How old do you have to be to donate a kidney?

Here's what to expect from the donor selection and screening process. Getting Started. To be a donor, you should be at least 18 years old. The best candidates don’t have any major illnesses, aren’t overweight, and don’t smoke.

How old do you have to be to donate?

To be a donor, you should be at least 18 years old. The best candidates don’t have any major illnesses, aren’t overweight, and don’t smoke. You may get the OK as long as you lose weight or agree to quit smoking before the surgery.

Who Can I Give My Kidney To?

You can donate a kidney to a family member or friend who needs one. You can also give it to someone you don't know. Doctors call this a “nondirected” donation, in which case you might decide to meet the person you donate to, or choose to stay anonymous. Either way, doctors will give your kidney to the person who needs it most and is the best match.

Am I Healthy Enough to Donate a Kidney?

Your doctor will do some tests to find out for sure. They’ll check your blood and urine, and may also do an ultrasound or take X-rays of your kidneys. You may not be able to donate if you have medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your pain. They’ll also want you to get up and start moving around shortly afterward.

How Can I Donate?

If you want to give your kidney to a friend or family member, talk to the doctor at the transplant center. You'll start taking tests to see if you're a match.

How Old Is Too Old?

At many institutions, donors over the age of 60, 65, or even 70 are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Is There a Downside to a Kidney From an Older Donor?

When studies have compared older kidneys -- those from people over age 50 or even over age 70 -- to kidneys from younger donors, they've found some minor differences.

Who can be a living kidney donor?

To donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health. As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older. You must also have normal kidney function. There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor.

Can smokers be living donors?

Smoking is considered a risk to the potential donor. Because smoking damages the lungs, it may put the donor at a higher risk of developing pneumonia after surgery. Potential donors should be honest with the transplant center about smoking habits to ensure that the donation and transplant are successful.

How do I start the process to see if I can donate a kidney?

If you have two healthy kidneys, you may be able to donate one to save someone’s life. Click here for more information.