What Are The Side Effects Of Living With One Kidney?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most people with a single live a normal life without developing any long- or short-term problems. However, the risk of developing

mild high blood pressure, fluid retention

, and proteinuria is slightly higher if you have one kidney instead of two.

What can you eat with only one kidney?

Majority of people with a solitary kidney do not need to stick to a particular diet, although they should maintain a healthy, low-fat diet that includes

grains, vegetables, and fruits

. If they already have high blood pressure, salt intake should be minimized.

What impact would having only one kidney have on a person's health?

There may also be a chance of having

high blood pressure

later in life. However, the loss in kidney function is usually very mild, and life span is normal. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems. In other words, one healthy kidney can work as well as two.

Can you still drink alcohol with one kidney?

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. But, your kidney is not filtering any blood. So,

alcohol is still in your blood

.

What happens when one kidney fails?

Fortunately, if only one kidney fails or

is diseased it can be removed

, and the remaining kidney may continue to have normal kidney (renal) function. If both patient's are injured or diseased, a donor kidney(s) may be transplanted.

How much water should you drink a day with one kidney?

Drink plenty of fluids

Water helps clear sodium and toxins from your kidneys. It also lowers your risk of chronic kidney disease. Aim for

at least 1.5 to 2 liters in a day

.

What medications should I avoid with one kidney?

Use

pain or fever medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen

with caution. These drugs, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause kidney damage, especially when taken in high doses or when two or more are taken with caffeine or codeine over long periods of time.

What foods are bad for kidneys?

  • Diet and kidney disease. Copyright: knape. …
  • Dark-colored soda. In addition to the calories and sugar that sodas provide, they harbor additives that contain phosphorus, especially dark-colored sodas. …
  • Avocados. …
  • Canned foods. …
  • Whole wheat bread. …
  • Brown rice. …
  • Bananas. …
  • Dairy.

How painful is kidney removal surgery?

Pain in your belly or on the side where you had the kidney removed. The pain should

get better over several days to a week

. Bruising around your wounds. This will go away on its own.

What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?

When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which

may be brown, red or purple

. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.

Is drinking water at night bad for kidneys?

Given the quantity of blood that filters through your kidneys on an hourly basis, those few extra cups are as insignificant to your kidneys as barnacles are to a battleship. So

the best time to drink water is not at night

.

Is having a kidney removed a major operation?


A nephrectomy

is a major surgery to remove all or part of your kidney. The kidneys are two small, bean-shaped organs in the abdomen.

What drinks are bad for kidneys?

According to the American Kidney Fund, a recent study suggests that drinking

two or more carbonated sodas, diet or regular

, each day may increase your risk for chronic kidney disease. Carbonated and energy drinks have both been linked to the formation of kidney stones.

Can a failed kidney work again?

Acute kidney failure requires immediate treatment. The good news is that

acute kidney failure can often be reversed

. The kidneys usually start working again within several weeks to months after the underlying cause has been treated. Dialysis is needed until then.

How long live after kidneys shut down?

People with kidney failure may survive

days to weeks without dialysis

, depending on the amount of kidney function they have, how severe their symptoms are, and their overall medical condition.

How long can you live with low kidney function?

If the progress of CKD is rapid and the patient opts not to have treatment,

life expectancy may be a few years at most

. However, even people who have complete renal failure may live for years with proper care and regular dialysis treatments. A kidney transplant may also result in a longer survival period.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.