Essential Information for Individuals Born with a Single Kidney, According to Kidney Specialists

Nephrologists caution that individuals born with one kidney are more susceptible to kidney complications if they are overweight or lead an unhealthy lifestyle, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle to mitigate this risk.

n

The specialists emphasize that while people with a single kidney can lead normal lives, factors such as excess body weight, poor diet, physical inactivity, herbal remedies, and painkiller abuse can put additional strain on the remaining kidney, potentially accelerating kidney damage and increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease.

n

The kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs located below the rib cage, play a vital role in removing waste products, maintaining electrolyte levels, and regulating blood pressure, underscoring the need for individuals with one kidney to take extra precautions to protect their remaining kidney.

n

Renal agenesis, a condition where an individual is born with one kidney, and kidney dysplasia, where a person is born with two kidneys but only one is functional, are two medical conditions that affect individuals with one kidney, with renal agenesis affecting an estimated one in 2,000 babies born each year globally.

n

Additionally, between one in 1,000 and one in 4,300 babies are born with kidney dysplasia, a condition where the kidneys do not develop properly during pregnancy, highlighting the need for regular medical check-ups and a healthy lifestyle to manage these conditions.

n

Dr Debo Ademola, a consultant paediatric nephrologist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, advises individuals born with or living with one kidney to adopt healthy lifestyles and undergo regular medical check-ups to prevent complications, noting that being born with one kidney is a developmental abnormality that can be managed with proper care.

n

Ademola explains that many people born with one kidney lead completely normal lives, but some may develop health issues later, depending on the condition of the remaining kidney, and that obesity and poor lifestyle habits can place additional stress on the remaining kidney, increasing the risk of kidney damage.

n

According to Ademola, people born with one kidney should pay close attention to maintaining a healthy weight, as becoming overweight or obese can place additional stress on the remaining kidney, which can lead to kidney damage and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease over time.

n

Ademola recommends regular medical check-ups, avoiding substances that can damage the kidneys, a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise to preserve and protect the remaining kidney, advising individuals with one kidney to see a doctor once or twice a year to have their blood pressure checked and their urine tested for protein.

n

He also advises individuals with one kidney to avoid substances that can damage the kidneys, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and to inform their doctor about their condition so that medications can be prescribed appropriately, highlighting the importance of careful management of kidney health.

n

Ademola further emphasizes the importance of avoiding excessive salt intake, drinking adequate amounts of water, and exercising regularly, while being cautious about participating in contact or combat sports that can increase the risk of injury to the kidney.

n

Professor Jacob Awobusuyi, a Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, notes that people born with one kidney can lead a normal life, but are more prone to developing hypertension and kidney failure compared to those with two kidneys, emphasizing the need for careful management of kidney health.

n

Awobusuyi advises women born or living with one kidney to prioritize antenatal care when they get pregnant, as pregnancy can put additional pressure on the kidneys, highlighting the importance of early and regular medical check-ups to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby.