5 Myths About Kidney Transplant

If you are suffering from end stage renal kidney disorders, dialysis or kidney transplantation are amongst the only two line of treatments that you can choose from. Kidney transplantation is considered to be a better solution. However, it might also be very difficult to find the right match. There are severals myths and misconceptions that are associated with kidney transplant as a donor.

Here are a few myths and facts about kidney transplant:

Myth 1: Kidney donation is very complicated and donor will have to face lot of complications for a lifetime.

Fact: Kidney donors go through a lot of screening before they are declared medically fit to donate a kidney. These tests help in ruling out any possibility of health issues like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and kidney disease. Also lifestyle changes that they might have to adapt are explained in detail. This reduces the possibility of the donor falling ill because of donation.

Myth 2: A donor will have to follow many restrictions when it comes to physical activity and eating out.

Fact: You do not have to make major changes in your eating habits. You just have to focus on eating healthy. Your diet remains nearly same as the diet before the operation. You can also return to your exercise routine within a few weeks after the operation. The only exception is carrying heavy weight i.e. weight of more than 5 kg for the first three months.

Myth 3: Kidney donation requires long stay in the hospital.

Fact: A normal duration of stay at hospital post surgery is nearly for 3-4 days. Your doctor will suggest bed rest for 1-2 weeks initially, this can be a part of home stay as well. You will have to visit the hospital once to get the stitches removed. After that you can get back to your daily life.

Myth 4: Having one kidney will put the donor at a greater risk of kidney problems later in life.

Fact: The fact is that even one kidney is capable of performing all functions in the long run. You just have to take care of your diet, eat healthy and be physically active to lead a normal life.

Myth 5: After kidney donation you will have to visit hospitals regularly throughout life.

Fact: No, this is not true. You would have to initially take few tests that too once in three to six months after the surgery. Post that a regular or annual check-up is required. This helps in noticing any early signs of medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Kidney donation can help improve the quality of life of your closed ones, without impacting your health. You should consult your doctor to know more about kidney donation.