Here’s Why That iPhone Is Not Worth Your Kidney!

Let’s rescue the unappreciated organ and make it wanted again. (Photo: iStock/Altered by The Quint)

The new iPhone comes out, armed with hardly any new features, but its price touching the sky. And out comes the solution to buy it: “will have to sell a kidney”. Headlines run amok – “This iPhone is worth your kidney.”

Now that new models of the iPhone have launched, let’s rescue that unappreciated organ and make it wanted again.

Yes, there are two kidneys in our bodies and a person can live a normal life without one. But in no way is it empty of risks that could threaten your body.

So, here’s why you’d like to keep your kidney.

Firstly, It’ll Help You Not Be a Criminal

First of all, let’s get this basic hindrance out of the conversation. It is not legal to sell an organ.

The Transplantation of Human Organs Act prohibits any commercial dealings in organs and makes this a punishable offence.

(GIF Courtesy: Giphy.com)

Organs can either be retrieved from cadavers or from brain dead patients with family consent, or may be donated by living donors. The law recognises three types of living donors: near relatives like parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren or spouses; others who can donate for “affection and attachment” or for a special reason but not for financial considerations; and swap donors where near relative donors are swapped between patients whose own family members are incompatible.

So, understand that kidneys aren't rajma beans in reality and whichever Bollywood movie taught you to sell kidneys for bucks, it’s just not happening, friend.

Risks of Living With a Single Kidney

If illegality doesn’t bother you, then maybe knowing these risks will make you more appreciative.

In general, most people with a single, healthy kidney have few problems. However, it’s not risk-free.

There is a chance of some slight loss in kidney function later in life, or a chronic kidney disease. This usually takes 25 years or more to happen. People with a solitary kidney need to be tested regularly for signs of kidney damage.

The chance of having high blood pressure later increases along with the amount of protein in your urine as a result of having one kidney. Though not common, ongoing fatigue and persistent pain have been reported in some cases.

Dr Gautam Dawar, Nephrologist

Younger donors have seen to be more prone to kidney failure.

Removing a kidney is a major surgery, which includes risk of complications during the procedure. It requires aftercare and the person should get their kidney function checked at least once a year.

Removing a kidney is a major surgery, which includes risk of complications during the procedure. (Photo: iStock)

Physical exercise is beneficial, but it's important for someone with only one kidney to be careful and protect it from injury. Some doctors think it is best to avoid contact sports.

This recommendation applies to anyone with a single kidney, including people who were born with just one and people with a kidney donation.

Then there is always the risk of the remaining kidney getting infected or failing.

Oh, and all that alcohol-drinking and cigarette-smoking that damages the liver, lungs and heart, puts added pressure on the kidneys which further risks its damage.

To remind you of some school biology, the kidneys filter the blood and collect waste to form urine and excrete it. So, unless you want to die a pee-ful death (well, not die, but couldn’t help using the pun), appreciate what your kidneys do for you.

The next time a new iPhone comes out, let the headlines read better – “This iPhone is worth nothing more than a luxury gadget is supposed to be.”

(With inputs from kidney.org and giveakidney.org)