The human body is an engineering marvel with several organ systems working in synchronization to achieve the ultimate goal, a self-sustainable life. Kidneys play an important role in removing waste that is produced as a by-product of metabolic reactions carried out in the body. A lot of nitrogenous waste is produced which if not secreted, can cause fatal effects on the brain and other important organs ultimately leading to death.
A lot of diseases and other factors can lead to kidney injury. If the damage cannot be cured by drugs and the kidneys fail, a kidney transplantis the only option to save the patient’s life. A kidney transplant is a complex medical procedure and involves a lot of medical and legal issues. Both the donor and the recipient have to undergo many tests before being declared fit for the surgical procedure.
Since transplantation involves the use of an organ from another individual, rejection of the organ by the host’s immune system is the biggest challenge. To avoid this, the recipient is given anti-rejection drugs that lower the immune system so that the organ is not rejected. So, normal life after kidney transplant revolves around taking care and immunity lowering medications that are prescribed in titrated doses. The commonly used immunosuppressant medications are tacrolimus and mycophenolate.
Quality of life after kidney transplant improves significantly as the patient is now relieved of the effects caused due to failing kidneys. These include fatigue, generalized swelling, and fever. Due to the introduction of advanced drugs in recent times, the kidney transplant success rate in India has increased exponentially. Doctors are now able to carry out transplant procedures in HIV-infected patients and also where the blood groups of the donor and the recipient do not match.
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TREATMENT AND HOSPITALS IN INDIA
Since kidney transplant is complex medical procedure, it cannot be carried out in a small clinical setting. Kidney transplant hospitals in India is multi-specialty hospitals having excellent infrastructure and advanced medical facilities. The two main different types of kidney transplants are deceased donor kidney transplants and living donor kidney transplants.
In a deceased donor kidney transplant, the kidney of the deceased is taken and transplanted into the recipient whereas, in a living donor kidney transplant, the kidney is retrieved from a living person, usually a relative, and transplanted into the recipient. Kidney transplant cost in India varies across different cities and hospitals. The usual cost of surgery, including pre-op investigations, starts from $13500.
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT AFTERCARE TIPS
A kidney transplant is a complex medical procedure and causes significant stress to the body. The body needs to accustom to the new kidney. The most important care that the patient has to take post-kidney transplant is to take medications regularly as advised by the treating doctor.
This is very important as these are immune suppressants and improve the prognosis of the transplant procedure significantly. Rest, a nutritious diet low on salt and fat, and a healthy routine also play an important role in improving the prognosis. The patient may also experience side effects of drugs as these take a heavy toll on the patient’s body.
TAKE ANTI-REJECTION MEDICATION
The main challenge that a nephrologist faces in a kidney transplant patient is the fear of organ rejection. Anti-rejection drugs play a very important role to make the transplant process successful. The right titration of doses of these drugs is very important and varies from patient to patient. These important decisions are made by the treating nephrologist. If the transplanted kidney starts getting rejected by the host, then a variety of symptoms appear.
Fever with temperatures above 1000F, increase in serum creatinine, development of new pain and tenderness around the kidney, generalized swelling in the body, sudden and unexplained weight gains, significant decrease in urine output, and flu-like symptoms are some of the kidney transplant rejection symptoms. Some of the anti-rejection drugs for kidney transplants are tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, azathioprine, sirolimus, and prednisone.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR DIET
A proper and balanced diet after kidney transplant is very essential to improve the prognosis and help in preserving the transplanted kidney. Also, there are some kinds of foods that need to be avoided post-transplant. The list of foods to avoid after kidney transplant includes the ones that can cause infections like unpasteurized milk, cheese or yogurt, uncooked or undercooked eggs, grapefruit or grapefruit juice, and pomegranate or pomegranate juice, especially if cyclosporine is prescribed, unwashed raw fruits or damaged fruits, unwashed raw vegetables, and unwashed salads. Also, foods should be low in salt and high in fibre.
Food-related decisions are not always easy. These days a lot of help is available online. A dietician online consultation can help the patient to make informed decisions and recuperate better.
SET YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE
Exercise forms an important component of the daily routine of healthy as well as individuals with chronic illnesses. Life after kidney transplant takes a paradigm shift. A lot needs to be adjusted to the new life. Patients with kidney transplants are often prescribed corticosteroids. These drugs have numerous side effects like increased glucose in the bloodstream, osteoporosis, and muscle wasting. Such side-effects can be countered by incorporating regular exercise regimens.
Also, cardiovascular complications are the main cause of mortality in kidney transplant patients. Engaging in regular moderate exercises after kidney transplant help to avoid these complications. Thus, the patients need to maintain an exercise routine that helps to get the best outcome.
VACCINATION AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
Transplant recipients should receive age-appropriate inactivated vaccines post kidney transplant but should avoid live vaccines. The timing of the vaccination also matters a lot. The recipient is under intense immune suppression for the initial 3 to 6 months post-transplant and so the immune response evoked in response to the vaccine administered is suboptimal. Thus, vaccinations must be given after the passage of 6 months. Kidney transplant after care includes many aspects like medications, diet, and regular exercise.
MENTAL HEALTH AND KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
Since kidney transplant is a major medical procedure and involves profound psychological and physical changes for the patient as well as the family. Both the patient and his/her family should be made well aware of the changes that accompany a kidney transplant.
Many patients face psychological stability problems and may suffer from depression after kidney transplant. Mood swings and kidney transplants may also be associative due to the intake of strong medications and other changes that accompany the transplant. The patient needs to remain psychologically stable during the entire journey of the transplant, both before and after the surgery. In such circumstances, it is advisable to consult psychologist online to get proper guidance to tread through the difficult journey.
SEX LIFE AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
Sexuality and kidney transplant have a strong relationship as many patients who are on dialysis for many years experience improved sexual function after the transplant. Sex life after kidney transplant should be carefully resumed and is not advisable before the wound heals. However, once the wound heals there is usually no danger to the transplanted kidney during sexual activity. If the patient has any apprehension, it is always advisable to consult sexologists online. These experts can provide valuable information and solve all queries.
AVOID TRAVELLING FOR A FEW WEEK
As the newly transplanted kidney is adjusting to the body and the wound is quite fresh, the patient should take ample rest and avoid travelling for at least a few weeks. To recover fully, kidney transplant aftercare plays a very vital role and should be diligently followed.
MEDIFLAM- MEDICAL TOURISM CONSULTANT IN INDIA
Medical tourism in India is increasing exponentially and is now one of the most trusted medical destinations. Many hospitals, super-specialty, multi-specialty and single-specialty, have sprung up in different cities of India. This gives patients multiple options to choose from, and sometimes this confuses them. Medical tourism consultants in India bridge this gap because of their extensive knowledge, and in-depth study of different hospitals and doctors.
MediFlam is a reputed name among medical tourism consultants in India. They have an expert in-house medical team that assists patients in making informed decisions while choosing doctors and/or hospitals that perfectly suit their needs.
MediFlam Pvt. Ltd. is a company that offers telemedicine and medical tourism features along with the options of availing the second opinion and opting for wellness tourism. Our website, Mediflam Pvt Ltd, provides comprehensive information on the services that we offer. Good health is everyone’s right and we firmly believe everyone should get access to quality treatments, and we, as a company, strive to provide the best treatment to our patients at the most affordable rates. India has an excellent health infrastructure and has been trusted by people worldwide. So, if you are suffering from any ailments, make a plan to come to India and we, MediFlam, will be more than happy to make your experience hassle-free, and send you back home healthy and hale.
