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by Jabbar
A kidney transplant in Turkey has become the move in recent years. Particularly since a kidney transplant is a sensitive, high-risk procedure that costs a lot of money. The entire treatment process of a kidney transplant can be extremely overwhelming both health-wise and financially.
As patients search for an alternative that balances both high-quality medical care and affordable costs, Turkey rose to success as the go-to medical tourism destination. Making a kidney transplant in Turkey a promising experience full of success and hope.
Functions of the Kidneys
The bean-shaped organs have a significant role in monitoring essential metabolic activity necessary for survival. Located in the upper abdomen and against the back muscles kidneys:
- Maintaining the balance of fluids in the body
- Filtering minerals from the blood and regulating them
- Removing waste materials from medications, food, and toxicants through filtering them.
- Producing hormones responsible for catalyzing the manufacturing of red blood cells (RBC), regulating blood pressure, and stimulating bone health.
Kidney Anatomy
The kidneys are relatively smaller in size in comparison to the labor they handle and the functions they perform per the passing second. Kidneys are made of several minuscule structures that are synchronized to conduct particular routine actions.
1- Nephrons
Nephrons carry out nearly all the prominent functions of the kidney. Each individual kidney possesses 1 million nephrons. The microscopic structure of nephrons exposes their fundamental components which include the renal corpuscle and the renal tube.
That together operate to filter out and regulate waste and nutrients sending toxic compounds out of the body and monitoring nutrients.
The Renal corpuscle also referred to as a Malpighian body first receives the blood as it enters the kidneys and the glomerulus within the renal corpuscle absorbs the proteins from the blood. The remaining contents of the blood pass through the bowman capsule into the renal tubules.
2- Renal Tubules
The renal tubules immediately succeed after the Bowman capsule within the nephrons to carry out the remaining duties of the kidney. Similar to nephrons, the renal tubules constitute substructures that carry out several functions as a whole unit.
The first section is the proximal convoluted tube that receives blood from the Bowman capsule and is responsible for absorbing water and sodium and glucose to retain them and send them back to the blood.
Loop of Henle comes next on the series and is responsible for retaining minerals like chloride and potassium and sending them into the blood.
Finally, the renal tubule ends with the distal convoluted tubule section which is responsible for retaining more sodium potassium, and acid.
As the fluid leaves the renal tubules, it will have been diluted, stripped of essential minerals, and concentrated with urea.
3- Renal cortex
On the exterior, the inner kidney structures are environed by a layer known as the renal cortex, which along with the fatty tissue serve for the protection and composure of the unit. The renal cortex also constitutes the glomerulus and convoluted tubules.
4- Renal Medulla
The renal medulla is a tissue within the inner kidney characterized by a smooth texture that holds the loop of Henle in addition to the renal pyramids. The renal pyramids are a zoomed-out section that contains nephrons responsible for filtering out the blood and tubules which transport blood into the kidneys.
At the end of the nephrons situated in the renal medulla is the collecting duct that assists the diluted fluid in exiting the nephrons to the final destination, the renal pelvis.
5- Renal Pelvis
Takes the form of a funnel, the renal pelvis resides in the innermost part of the kidney and has the primary role of collecting fluid to deliver it to the bladder, serving as a pathway.
The first section out of three sections is the calyces. The calyces serve as a structure that collects and holds fluid in its cup-shaped forms and converts the excessive fluid into urine.
The Hilum is a minuscule opening found in the inner side of the kidney that bends inwards giving the kidneys their characteristic bean form. Next and last comes the Ureter that is a muscular tissue that pushes the urine out to exert it into the bladder where it remains before secretion.
What is Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose the ability to filter wastes from the blood. Certain environmental and internal factors can trigger kidney failures such as severe hydration, chronic and acute kidney conditions, trauma to the kidney, and exposure to environmental toxins.
Conditions that Cause Kidney Failure
Chronic kidney disease is a condition that occurs when the kidney functions are impaired as a result of the disease. Kidney disease typically worsens over time so the damage amplifies within a period of months and is considered both critical and fatal.
Certain conditions accelerate the deterioration of kidney function and progression to kidney disease such as:
- Diabetes type 1 or type 2
- Glomerulonephritis: an inflammation of glomerulus units responsible for filtration
- High blood pressure
- Interstitial nephritis: an inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and neighboring structures
- Polycystic kidney disease
- The blocking of the urinary tract for extended periods of time induced by conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and a select range of cancers.
- Vesicoureteral reflux: The condition affects the natural pathway of urine leading to its re-uptake.
- Pyelonephritis: Recurrent kidney infection
Risk Factors for Kidney Disease
Certain elements can increase your propensity to acquiring kidney disease and that includes agents that alter metabolic functions such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney complications
- Older age
Complications Caused by Kidney Disease
Provided the significant role kidneys plays, their impairment can cause an imbalance in a wide array of bodily functions that include:
- Fluid retention in the arms and legs, pulmonary edema, and consequently high blood pressure.
- Hyperkalemia as the mineral concentration is unbalanced, there a risk of a rapid increase in potassium levels that is life-threatening.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Weakened bones and a higher propensity to bone fractures
- Anemia
- Central nervous system damage that can trigger seizures and induce personality changes such as increased irritability and difficulty concentrating.
- An impaired immune system that affects response efficiency and time increasing infection vulnerability.
- The progression to the irreversible end-stage kidney disease and requiring the application of a dialysis program and in severe cases surgical intervention for a kidney transplant.
Standard Stages of Kidney Failure
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) divided kidney failure into 5 stages of disease that gradually advance in severity to reach kidney failure.
Stage 1
Stage 1 of kidney disease is considered mild and does not initiate any physical symptoms or apparent complications despite the presence of a degree of damage in the kidneys.
During the first stage, the intervention of medications is not necessary to maintain the damage. typically early detection and minor lifestyle changes and incorporating healthy habits such as regular exercise and refraining from tobacco and alcohol consumption suffice in eliminating kidney dysfunction.
In addition to the management of any present metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Stage 2
The second stage of kidney disease is not severe and usually is the starting point of physical symptoms becoming apparent. Stage two liver disease can be detected in urine. Likewise, it is not late to suppress the progression of kidney failure to the need for kidney transplants during this stage via the minor lifestyle approaches stated above. Not to mention the need to monitor physical conditions that are affecting the functions of the kidneys.
Stage 3
Stage 3 kidney disease ramifies into subcategories of 3A and 3B distinguished by waste concentrations in the blood. While damage is moderate during stage 3, symptoms become more prominent here. Wherein edema becomes apparent in both the feet and hands. Likewise, frequent urination becomes more serious. Kidney dysfunction is more pronounced. Although lifestyle changes are important during this period, healthy approaches will need to be in conjuncture with medications to fully monitor the condition.
Stage 4
Stage 4 ranges between moderate to critical damage and is a risky and sensitive phase in the scale. Anemia, high blood pressure, bone, and bone tissue diseases will be apparent during this stage. Healthy lifestyle choices are critical in addition to intensive treatments to decrease the deterioration of the kidneys.
Stage 5
Stage 5 is the last stage and the most severe. kidney functions are on the verge of or are already in complete failure. A dialysis program or a kidney transplant is a more suitable treatment plan. Vomiting, nausea, itchiness, and more adverse symptoms of kidney failure will arise.
Kidney Failure Treatments
There are two options for treatment in the case of kidney failure:
1- Dialysis
Dialysis is a machine that imitates the function of kidneys to purify the blood from toxins. A dialysis machine could either be a large-sized machine in a dialysis unit in a separate facility or in a hospital. Your physician will connect the machine to your veins via tubes that mimic the blood transportation system of oxygenated and deoxygenated vessels.
In the alternative scenario, a portable catheter bag. Dietary changes are necessary to make, eating low potassium foods and low-salt diets in conjuncture with dialysis.
Dialysis is not a treatment for kidney failure, but rather a mechanism to extend life expectancy and prevent fatal complications from kidney failure side-effects.
2- Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplants are an alternative option in the case of kidney failure that provides long term benefits with no restrictions of schedules or appointments. The transplanted kidney can operate fully normally and patients no longer require the need A transplanted kidney can work normally, and dialysis is no longer needed.
Who is a Perfect Candidate for a Kidney Transplant
There are no age restrictions to opting for a kidney transplant both the very young and the very old can resort to this option in the case of kidney failure or during stage 4 kidney disease granted specific conditions are met.
- for starters, you must be in good condition to opt for surgery.
- You should be cancer-free.
- You should be in a good mental state.
Getting a Kidney Transplant in Turkey
How do I start the process of getting a kidney transplant in Turkey?
You can start the process of getting a kidney transplant in Turkey by contacting AkayLife! AkayLife is a foundation established in Turkey. As the leading medical tourism coordinators in Turkey, AkayLife exclusively collaborated with JCI approved hospitals. Our mission assists medical tourists in beginning their organ transplant surgery in a few steps which include:
Step 1: Virtual Evaluation
Upon contacting AkayLife a medical consultant will be assigned to you to facilitate your application process. Beginning by evaluation, all medical reports and documents of your most recent medical tests will be requested for reviewing and evaluating.
According to the information provided, your designated medical specialist will begin searching for hospitals and surgeons of high caliber in the field of organ transplants to find a provider that matches your medical case & financial plan.
Step 2: Travel Arrangements
- AkayLife will cover all your travel arrangements from the accommodation, translation, and transportation to facilitate your stay in Turkey.
- Getting a kidney transplant in Turkey is a big procedure and a contributing factor to the success of the surgery is the patient being in a tranquil state of mind.
- AkayLife focuses on the minutiae of your trip for a kidney transplant in Turkey.
Step 3: In-person consultation
- During an in-person consultation, thorough evaluations have to be conducted to ensure your body can handle the surgery.
- General blood tests for your over-all well being will be ordered.
- scans of your lungs and body will be requested as well to learn about your health.
- It can be concluded that you are not a fit candidate for a kidney transplant, it is essential to look after the reasons and inquire about the possibilities for a kidney transplant in the future.
- If you have a living donor, then likewise, they will be subject to evaluation of similar magnitude to ensure that no harm affects your or the donor. Both of you have to be in a state of well being to endure the gravity of a kidney transplant.
What Does the Operation Involve?
- In a kidney transplant, your doctor will not remove your native kidneys
- The placement of the new kidneys will take place in the lower abdomen. This place is strategic because it makes for a simple connection with the bladder and important blood vessels
- The procedure is around 4 hours
- You can return home in a week
- Getting your kidney from a living donor means the rag will start working sooner
- Whereas getting your kidney from a deceased donor means you should expect your kidney to work in 2 to 4 weeks. Which means you’ll need dialysis until the kidney starts working.
- Your medical team will explain all about your post kidney transplant medications
- Dietary restrictions after a kidney transplant aren’t vast, you’ll drop some items
Anti-Rejection Medications
The immune system is typically is there to fight away particles that aren’t from your body. Anything that is foreign like viruses and bacteria. Because your body will perceive the née kidney as a foreign object, it may attack it. For this reason, you must take immunosuppressants.
Immunosuppressants are medications that prevent your immune system from rejecting your new kidney. Sometimes these medications go by the name of anti-rejection medications. But in short, they downscale the activity of your immune system.
You never really stop taking these medications. The only exception is when your new kidney stops working.
Some of the side effects that may come with using immunosuppressants include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased hair growth
Speak with your doctor to manage these side effects. Try to take your immunosuppressant dose at the same time daily. If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember and inform your doctor right away. If you remember the dose by the following dose time, do not double your dose.
Try your best to avoid missing treatment times. This may have adverse effects.
In addition to your anti-rejection medications, your doctor will put you on anti-infection pills.
After Your Kidney Transplant in Turkey
Our team at AkayLife will release you when your health stabilizes. Following this, a private car will drive you to your hotel room. The period after your procedure is very important.
Because the follow-up is very important during the first week, our team will stay in touch online. As a health tourist, you stay for a short period after your procedure. But because it’s not possible for you to lead your life without medical guidance or reference, we have built a system that will help you navigate your recovery.
Go for regular checkups and send the reports to our team as well as your doctor in your home country.
During the first period when your kidney transplant is still fresh, you’ll need to have blood tests weekly. The number of check-ups will decrease and you’ll only go every once in a while to check that your kidney is working well.
Why Kidney Transplant in Turkey?
Why kidney transplant in Turkey? because simply its a destination for medical excellence. Turkey has taken the world by storm with its rapid yet groundbreaking advancement in the medical field. As of now, it is the go-to country for health tourists from Europe and the USA.
What makes Turkey stand out is its affordable costs. And for what it offers it’s a golden opportunity that benefits and saves the lives of so many. Particularly since health care abroad can be financially overwhelming.
So if you’re looking for advanced medical care, cutting-edge procedures, state-of-the-art hospitals, and royal services, then Turkey is the place for you.
Turkey is home to the highest number of JCI approved hospitals and hosts some of the world’s biggest surgeons. It is truly the success ripped over years of hard work and dedication.
Kidney Transplant FAQ
What Are the Disadvantages to Living Donation?
Recovery is the only downside to living donation. But with modern medical advancements, healthy donors have to go through shorter recovery times. Particularly since the laparoscopic procedure requires small incisions.
What if a Rejection Happens?
Rejections are possible but not common at all. This is why you need to take your medications as your doctor tells you. You should also commit to the timing of your dose.
Because rejection in its initial stages doesn’t have any particular set or symptoms, the only way to find out is through blood tests. Hence why you should never miss your blood tests.
Some symptoms during rejection can include:
- Fever
- Swelling
- Weight gain
- Pain around the kidneys
Rejections are most likely to occur during the first few weeks after a kidney transplant. Following this rejection rates will begin to decrease.
It isn’t necessary that one rejection takes place you have to remove the kidney. There are ways to counteract this are most likely to succeed. Therefore and because this is a sensitive process you need to let your team know right away once you sense things aren’t going right.
What is the Risk of Rejection After Kidney Transplantation?
There is no standard risk of rejection it all filters down to numerous factors from your health to the health of the donor the success of the surgery the efficiency of immunosuppressants and so on.
But compared to rejection rates in the past, the incident or the prospects of the incident have decreased immensely.
When Can I Return to work?
Returning back to your work after a kid melt transplants depends on both the nature of your work as well as your recovery.
But in general, most people can return to work after 8 weeks from the kidney transplant. Speak with your transplant team about this aspect to get a personalized response.
How Will a Kidney Transplant Affect My Sex Life?
Both men and women who have had kidney transplants led to healthy lives and made families. After a kidney transplant, you’ll notice a drastic change in your quality of life.
Contact AkayLife
AkayLife is a leading health tourism coordinator in Turkey. We’re here to help you and many health tourists get the right treatment away from fake marketing and fraud. Our consultants are very experienced in the field having worked for years with thousands of health tourists.
To ensure that you get your treatment at top-tier hospitals, our team conducts thorough annual evaluations of all the hospitals we work with. This is to make sure they’re still operating-above board and still have the seal of approval from JCI.
If you want to get your kidney transplant under the hands of Turkey’s biggest and most experienced transplant surgeons, contact AkayLife.
