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Monday, July 7, 2008
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The answer is usually no. It is very common for a kidney transplant to take several days to "kick in." The kidney has to get used to its new environment!
Studies have shown that as long as donors follow the best diet recommended by the nephrologist and routinely monitor their blood pressure, they should not experience any undue risk. Within a few months of donating a kidney, the standard tests of kidney function should return to normal. The remaining kidney will have increased its capacity to do the whole job.
Pregnancy has minimal risk to a kidney donor. Rarely, the enlarged womb can compress the ureter, the tube connecting the kidney to the urinary bladder. This can obstruct the flow of urine. When that happens, the patient experiences a very characteristic severe pain, which would prompt the doctor to take action right away. That action will prevent any serious compromise to the one kidney remaining.
This article is a NetWellness exclusive.
Last Reviewed: Apr 01, 2004
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Philip W. Hall, 3rd, MD Professor of Medicine Emeritus Office of Medical Education School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University |
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