Not everyone can become a kidney donor. If you decide to donate your kidney, there are several requirements and preparations for a kidney donor that need to be met, so that you can be declared eligible to donate a kidney.
Kidney donation is a form of noble action that can save the lives of people with kidney disease, such as chronic kidney failure. There are many reasons that determine a person's willingness to donate a kidney.
The factor of emotional closeness is thought to be the main reason. Apart from that, basically everyone can still live and carry out normal activities even though they only have 1 kidney.
Some Requirements for uto Become a Kidney Donor
For those of you who want to donate kidneys to family, friends, or relatives, there are several criteria or requirements for kidney donors that need to be met, namely:
Compatibility with kidney recipients
The first thing that needs to be done when you want to become a kidney donor is to assess the compatibility of your kidney with a potential kidney recipient. This examination will be carried out by a medical team at the hospital who will perform kidney donor surgery.
Kidney compatibility can be determined from blood tests, both blood type tests, blood cross tests, and if needed, HLA tests to determine the match between recipient and donor kidney stem cells.
Kidney donor health conditions
Prospective kidney donors must also be in good physical condition, mentally good, and of an ideal weight. In addition, people who want to become kidney donors must not have kidney problems or other health conditions that are at risk of causing kidney disease, such as diabetes and hypertension.
However, people with diabetes and hypertension are still possible to donate their kidneys, if their blood sugar levels and blood pressure are well controlled.
A kidney donor should also not suffer from other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, lung disease, blood clotting disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.
Health check before donating kidney
Before a kidney donor is carried out, the doctor will conduct a thorough medical examination to ensure that this procedure will not endanger the health of the donor and recipient.
If the results of the examination state that the donor kidney is healthy and matches the recipient's kidney donor, and the donor's overall health condition is good, kidney transplant surgery can be performed.
Several Steps for Kidney Donation Preparation
After the doctor has declared that you are eligible to become a kidney donor, you need to undergo the following preparations:
1. Stop taking certain drugs
Your doctor may advise kidney donors to avoid taking medications that can interfere with blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood-thinning medications for at least a week before surgery. This is to reduce the risk of heavy bleeding during and after the procedure.
2. Live a healthy diet
Eating healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, may be recommended before you undergo kidney donor surgery. You should also avoid certain foods and drinks, such as alcoholic beverages, for a few weeks before and after surgery.
3. Doing exercise regularly
Before donating a kidney, prospective donors are usually advised to do regular exercise. Types of exercise that can be done can be a leisurely walk, cycling, or swimming.
The goal is to improve the health and fitness of your body so that the recovery period after kidney surgery can run smoothly.
4. Breaking the habit smoke
About 4 weeks before kidney donor surgery is performed, kidney donors must stop smoking. This is because smoking can increase the risk of complications and hinder the postoperative recovery process. If smoking is difficult to stop, ask your doctor for advice.
5. Prepare mentally
Preparing mentally before undergoing kidney donor surgery is as important as preparing for physical health. So that kidney donors don't feel nervous and feel excessive worry, try discussing with your closest relatives, people who have donated kidneys, or doctors.
6. Relax
Keeping the mind relaxed is also important. You can get this by doing activities you enjoy, such as going to movies, spending time with friends, or practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation.
The timing of the kidney donor surgery will usually be notified by the doctor about 4-6 weeks before the operation is carried out. During this time, you can prepare yourself and schedule your daily routine.
After surgery, the body needs at least about 4-6 weeks to recover before you can carry out normal activities again.
During the recovery process, the donor of the kidney will feel pain and discomfort. However, this complaint can be overcome with painkillers from a doctor. If the pain is very annoying and the use of drugs can not relieve it, immediately see a kidney doctor again for treatment.
