What will life be like for someone whose kidneys are broken?

In recent times, topics related to Thailand tourism have sparked heated discussions, especially the rumor of "being pinched in the waist when traveling to Thailand", which has pushed Thailand to the forefront.

Although the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai Embassy in China and other official agencies have refuted the rumor, the public is still concerned about the dark "urban legend" of the kidney worm. Many people said: I dare not go to Thailand anymore. I can't gamble my life on the possibility of a kidney worm...

The legend of kidney thieves is very old. Kidney thieves often steal kidneys without anyone noticing. They can "disappear with the kidney" in a flash, leaving only blood and freshly sutured wounds on the victim. What is it like to be robbed of kidneys? Can you still live like a normal person? Regarding the truth about kidney thieves, NetEase Health specially consulted Zhou Xiaofeng, director of the Urology Department of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital , to reveal the secrets for you!

Can a person really be stabbed in the back while sleeping? Impossible!

Zhou Xiaofeng: "Ga Yaozi" in medicine refers to nephrectomy , cutting off the kidney.

First, the kidney is located very deep in the human body and cannot be touched on the surface of the body. Second, the kidney is connected to the two largest blood vessels in the human body. Even experienced surgeons must be fully prepared after the patient is under general anesthesia and with the help of assistants to remove the kidney. If you are not careful, it will cause heavy bleeding and endanger life . Therefore, kidney removal is a major operation in medicine and cannot be completed in a dream without anyone noticing.

Can a kidney transplant be completed with just a fresh kidney? Three steps must be strictly controlled!

Zhou Xiaofeng: Kidney transplantation means sewing a healthy kidney into the body of a patient with uremia to enable it to perform the function of urination and detoxification .

To do a kidney transplant, you first need a matching kidney, so preoperative matching is very important , including ABO blood type matching, HLA matching, donor specific antibody (DSA) testing, group reactive antibody (PRA) testing, etc. If the matching points are not suitable, severe rejection will occur after the transplant, and the kidney will not be able to survive and work in the body, and the operation will be in vain.

Secondly, experienced surgeons are needed to cut off the donor's kidney, store it in ice water, and then sew it to the patient with uremia. Whether it is kidney removal or kidney transplantation, very precise surgical skills are required to ensure the success of the operation. In addition, the entire process must be carried out in a strictly disinfected operating room , otherwise once the kidney is contaminated with bacteria or viruses, it will cause the patient's death.

Finally, there is long-term management after surgery. Patients who receive kidney transplants must go to the hospital for regular checkups after the surgery to see if there is any rejection and whether the kidneys are functioning properly. In addition, in the early postoperative period, the patient's resistance is relatively low, so you need to take precautions to avoid infection . If the transplanted kidneys can function properly, patients with uremia will no longer need dialysis and can resume normal life.

It should be noted that in my country, only brain-dead people and healthy direct relatives of uremia patients can donate kidneys. For those whose relatives donate kidneys, they also need to undergo a comprehensive health check every year, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function, heart function, etc.

If a normal person has both kidneys removed, he or she will not be able to urinate or excrete toxins, but will not die on the spot unless there is heavy bleeding. But without kidneys, a person will become a uremia patient and will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life.

Can a person who has lost a kidney still live a completely normal life? It depends on the situation.

① Will the quality of life decline?

Zhou Xiaofeng: Because the human kidney has a strong reserve and compensation capacity, one kidney can support the operation of various systems. Generally speaking, the lack of a kidney will not lead to a decline in quality of life . If there are no underlying diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, you can eat and exercise normally.

After losing a kidney, you may experience a decrease in physical strength in the early stages. But as time goes by, as long as your kidney function is fine, you can do some physical work. However , it varies from person to person, and you should do it according to your ability. There are no special restrictions .

②What will happen if a man says “No”?

Zhou Xiaofeng: Male sexual function is related to testicular function and androgen levels. In principle, having one less kidney will not affect sexual function, but if there is a psychological burden, it may have an impact .

③What is the influence of women on fertility?

Zhou Xiaofeng: The burden on women's kidneys increases when they give birth. If a woman loses one kidney, she must have an obstetrician and gynecologist and a nephrologist strictly assess the risks before pregnancy and childbirth.

④ More susceptible to illness? Shorter life span?

Zhou Xiaofeng: Under normal circumstances, one kidney is sufficient to meet the needs of the human body and generally does not have much impact. There is no clear relationship between having only one kidney and life expectancy .

Of course, if the remaining kidney is diseased, then the renal function is more likely to be affected , and it is also more likely to suffer from diseases related to renal impairment. Therefore, after removing a kidney, try to avoid taking things that are harmful to the kidneys, such as Chinese medicine, health products, herbs, and folk remedies of unknown origin, and try to avoid situations that damage the kidneys.

As long as the kidney function is normal, the use of regular medications is no different from that of normal people, but you should still try to avoid taking some medications that are harmful to kidney function.

⑤ Born with solitary kidney vs. acquired solitary kidney

Zhou Xiaofeng: People born with solitary kidney are no different from normal people, and are often discovered accidentally during physical examinations. Because they only have one kidney, they must be extra careful to avoid collisions, kidney stones, and other things that may harm the kidney. People with acquired solitary kidney are generally caused by disease or trauma, and their condition is more complicated than those born with solitary kidney.

Whether you are born with a solitary kidney or acquired one later in life, you should take good care of your kidneys. People with two kidneys can still have a replacement if one is missing, but once the solitary kidney is damaged, there is no replacement.

Finally, NetEase Health reminds everyone that although the probability of having your kidneys secretly taken is extremely low, the black industry chain of illegal body organ trading does exist. It is better to be safe than sorry. Whether you are traveling or working, everyone must pay attention to personal safety.