Question 1

if one kidney fails, does the other weaken?

Accepted Answer

Usually: Usually when one kidney fails for some reason, the other kidney will grow in size and take on some of the load of the other failed kidney.  This takes time (years).  Of course, this all depends on the other kidney being healthy and one not having a disease that will affect the other kidney.  Nevertheless, one should follow closely with their doctor to ensure the one remaining kidney stays healthy.

Question 2

how common is it to be born with one kidney?

Accepted Answer

One in 750: According to the national kidney foundation, the chances of being born with one kidney is about 1/750.  Assuming the remaining kidney is normal, the chances of living a normal life are good.  People with one kidney may be at increased risk of having some protein spilled into the urine and may require closer attention.  Such individuals should  avoid frequent use of some medicines.

Question 3

i only have one kidney can i take ibeprophen?

Accepted Answer

Probably: Because Ibuprofen is metabolized through the kidney it is good to be cautious with this medication.  The important thing to know is that the 1 kidney is functioning well.  This is done with blood testing periodically.  In most cases with 1 kidney it is okay to take and occasional ibuprofen, however, you should check with your doctor about this as they would know more about your situation.

Question 4

what would happen if you only had one kidney fail?

Accepted Answer

See below: If one kidne were to stop working in rare scenarios, the other would continue working to whatever capacity it is capable off and if it were healthy to begin with , will grow bigger and perform 10-20% more in function over a period of time.

Question 5

can you have dialysis if you have only one kidney?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You can put anybody on dialysis as long as their blood pressure can tolerate it (not drop).  However, it should only be done if the kidney is having low enough of a function to need dialysis.

Question 6

what is a normal bun for a person with one kidney?

Accepted Answer

Co-tango usually: A patient with one kidney should have a creatinine less than 1.0 mg/dl still.  The BUN should be less than 10.  
The BUN is usually 10 times the creatinine. When the creatinine goes up, the BUN goes up similarly to roughly keep this proportion, in most kidney disease states.

Mild elevations of BUN with normal creatinines aren't of concern.

Question 7

how does diabetes affect a person who has one kidney?

Accepted Answer

Same like otherwise,: However, persons who have 2 kidneys have more tissue which means that the loss of function is expected to be faster in persons with only one kindey if diabetes sets into the kidney. If diabetes develops late in life then the worry is not as much since it is a function of the duration of diabetes. Usually, but not always, a 15 years of diabetes yields involvement of the kidneys.

Question 8

what could cause a hypolastic kidney (only one kidney)?

Accepted Answer

Single kidney: There are several reasons why people have a single kidney.  Often during development before we are born, one of the kidneys can fail to form (renal agenesis).  This can occur for many reasons (issues with the ureteral bud or mesonephric ducts, etc).  There can be renal dysplasia, where the kidney just does not form quite right.  Also severe renal artery stenosis can result in renal dysplasia.

Question 9

is it possible to have any person one kidney from birth?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Some individuals are born with solitary functioning kidney. Sometimes there is only one kidney present and sometimes one of the kidneys is cystic or dysplastic and has no function. These people can live normal life with one funtioning  kidney.

Question 10

why are some people born with one kidney, and others two?

Accepted Answer

Good question: Basically we often don't know. Every  embryonic fetus has potential to develop 2 kidneys. All mammals have fetal metanephric nephric cells which divide thousands of times 2 develop into kidneys. Additionally iny "buds" develop on either side of developing fetal bladder, these buds lengthen & fuse with metanephric cells exactly in their center. Failure of any stage can result in no kidney that side.

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Doctor answers about:

One kidneys

A member asked:

If one kidney fails, does the other weaken?

A member asked:

How common is it to be born with one kidney?

A member asked:

I only have one kidney can i take ibeprophen?

A member asked:

What would happen if you only had one kidney fail?

A member asked:

Can you have dialysis if you have only one kidney?

A member asked:

What is a normal bun for a person with one kidney?

A member asked:

How does diabetes affect a person who has one kidney?

A member asked:

What could cause a hypolastic kidney (only one kidney)?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have any person one kidney from birth?

A member asked:

Why are some people born with one kidney, and others two?

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