The ins and outs of organ donation

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The ins and outs of organ donation

UNOS-The Transplant Waiting List As Of 6/30/10

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Organ transplantation is one of medicine's great success stories. It has become one of the best ways to help many people with organ failure regain active lives.

''Despite advances in medicine and technology, the need for organs is greater than the number available for transplants. People often have to wait more than a year and many times longer to receive an organ.Living donors - people who donate a partial or complete organ - are an alternative to the long waiting list. They provide 44 percent of all organs for transplant. Living donors can provide a:KidneyLobe of a lungPortion of the liver, pancreas or intestine;

How does donation work?

'People who donate partial or complete organs usually don't face any changes in life expectancy. Recovery time after organ donation surgery is about two to six weeks. Most donors go on to live healthy lives.In the case of kidney donation, the donor's remaining kidney enlarges slightly to do the work of two. If a piece of liver is donated, the donor's liver can regenerate and regain full function. A lung or pancreas won't regenerate, but living without any donated pieces usually causes no problems.For people awaiting transplants from deceased donors, all available organs are accounted for in a database maintained by the United Network for Organ Sharing. A ranked list is generated that contains the names of people who may be suitable matches.Factors affecting recipient ranking

include:Blood typeLength of waiting timeImmune statusDistance between potential recipients and donorsDegree of medical urgencyWho can donate?People considered for living donation are usually between ages 18 and 60. Gender and race are not a factor, but donors must have a compatible blood type.Many people are willing to be living donors, but not everyone has the right makeup. Typically, you must be physically fit and in good health and free from any major illnesses. Donors are chosen who have the best chance of staying medically and psychologically fit. As a living donor, you may be able to see the benefits of your generosity.Becoming a donor

,Most states have donor registries - official lists of people willing to donate organs or tissues upon their death. Getting on a list may be as simple as having the words "Organ Donor" printed on your driver's license. But you should first check with your state's donor registry.Make sure to talk with your family about your decision before a crisis. In the event of your death, your family can serve as your donation advocate.Organ or tissue donation from a single donor can save or improve the lives of up to 50 people. In the event of your death, the gift of life may help your family cope better with their loss.

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View the original The ins and outs of organ donation article on myOptumHealth.com

http://Hepatitis Cnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2010/07/ins-and-outs-of-organ-donation.html