who can donate a kidney

What makes a person decide to donate a kidney?

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. These include having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, or acute infections.

What are the dangers of donating a kidney?

Dec 27, 2021 · It is best to ask rather than assume someone cannot be a donor. Individuals considered for living kidney donation are usually between 18 and 65 years of age. Gender and race are not factors in determining a successful match. Hypertensive donors over the age of 50 may be eligible under certain conditions.

What are the pros and cons of donating 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.

How dangerous is it to donate a kidney?

Nov 02, 2021 · Instead, they donate their kidney to a stranger, such as through a paired kidney exchange program. Who can donate a kidney? To be a living kidney donor, you must: Be age 18 or older; Have two healthy, working kidneys; Be healthy enough to donate; How do I know if I am healthy enough to donate a kidney?

Who is best to donate a kidney?

The most suitable donor is usually a brother, sister, father, mother, son or daughter, but other more distant relatives and friends are sometimes suitable. It is up to kidney patients to ask their relatives/friends to see if they are willing to donate a kidney.Apr 3, 2019

Can an O person donate a kidney to anyone?

You don't have to be related to someone to donate a kidney to them. In fact, one in four living organ donors is not biologically related to the recipient (the person who receives a donated organ). Spouses, in-laws, close friends, church members, and even members of the same community can all be living donors.

Does donating a kidney shorten your life?

Living donation does not change life expectancy, and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. In general, most people with a single normal kidney have few or no problems; however, you should always talk to your transplant team about the risks involved in donation.

Can a female donate kidney to 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

Why you should not donate a kidney?

Medical possible long-term cons People can get certain health problems after donating: About 18% of donors (about 1 in 5) get high blood pressure. About 5% (1 in 20) get chronic kidney disease. 4% (less than 1 in 20) get diabetes within 5 years of donating.

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.

How many years do you lose from donating a kidney?

No Life Expectancy Changes Donating a kidney does not affect a person's life expectancy. On the contrary, studies show that people who donate a kidney outlive the average population. Twenty years after donating, 85 percent of kidney donors were still alive, while the expected survival rate was 66 percent.

Can I drink alcohol after donating a kidney?

Yes, kidney donors can eventually drink 1-2 alcoholic drinks but should abstain in the weeks following the transplant. Women and those over 65 should stick to 1 alcoholic beverage per day at most, while men should have no more than 2 drinks in a day.Nov 13, 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.

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.

Do you know someone who needs a transplant?

If you want to donate to someone you know, such as a family member, friend, or someone in your community, your first step is to contact the transplant hospital where they’re waiting for a transplant.

Or, do you want to donate to anyone who needs a transplant?

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. Our Family Voucher Program also protects donors’ families in the event a family member ever needs a transplant.

Find a Transplant Center

You can also contact a transplant center in your area to ask about being a living donor. To find a list of all transplant centers in the U.S., visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) website. Then follow these steps:

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.