The kidneys play a vital role in preserving the health of our body. These organs help cleanse the body of toxins that we are exposed during the day. Discover the role of these organs and the shocking testimony of a young man who donated his kidney to his mother.
The kidneys filter about 200 liters of blood per day to eliminate anything that may constitute a danger to health. Indeed, they regulate the excretion of water, potassium and sodium and contain what the body needs such as amino acids or electrolytes. Each day, the kidneys remove about 2 quarts of waste and excess fluid through urine.
Kidneys play different roles in the body including:
- Filter (remove toxins from the blood)
- Maintain the balance of minerals in the body (particularly potassium and sodium)
- Producing hormones, vitamins and enzymes
- Hydrate the body
What are the risk factors that may affect the kidneys?
- obesity
- Family history
- Excessive medication
- Poor food hygiene
- age
Therefore, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to preserve the health of your kidneys.
Disorders that may affect these organs are:
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infection (cystitis)
- Enuresis (urinate unconsciously)
- Kidney failure
What is kidney failure?
Kidney failure is a serious disease that is characterized by a growing and irreversible deterioration of the kidneys' ability to filter blood and produce certain hormones. Several reasons can cause this condition like dehydration, some severe infections or exposure to toxic chemicals.
Kidney failure is a serious disease that is characterized by a growing and irreversible deterioration of the kidneys' ability to filter blood and produce certain hormones. Several reasons can cause this condition like dehydration, some severe infections or exposure to toxic chemicals.
Patients must undergo three dialysis sessions per week, which does not fail to reflect on the quality of their personal and professional lives. Moreover, when the disease affects children, it is responsible for the slowdown in growth and school integration difficulties.
In the case of severe renal impairment, patients who can no longer bear the painful dialysis sessions resort to transplant kidneys or kidney transplantation. The latter is the preferred treatment when kidney failure reaches the terminal stage, because it is the only way to improve the quality of life of the patient. Indeed, it allows them to return to a normal diet, to meet their daily activities, and even to get pregnant when it comes to women.
The transplant can be performed from a deceased donor or a living donor. However, it can only be achieved if the donor is a carrier of the same blood group or compatible with the recipient. In the case of living donors, it can live with one kidney.
Testimony: the story of an adopted boy who offered his kidney to his mother
The history of Jordan McIntosh has affected more than one in the United States. This young man was adopted by Ingeborg McIntosh, after four years of hard struggle. Ingeborg fought with all her might to integrate him with her family after his biological mother, refused approval of his adoption on the grounds that the child is black and should be adopted by an African-American family.
Several years later, Ingeborg develops polycystic kidney disease (development of liquid multiple cysts in the kidneys) that requires a kidney transplant urgently. Without informing his mother, Jordan goes to the hospital to offer his kidney and doctors say that he is compatible. Some days later, the specialists inform Ingeborg they found him a donor: her son Jordan.
The operation went well and Ingeborg is doing well. Jordan says this gesture of love is simply a way to thank her for all she has done for him.