Whether one kidney will affect life expectancy mainly depends on whether its kidney function is normal or not. For patients with normal renal function, one kidney usually does not affect life expectancy; however, for patients with renal insufficiency, having only one kidney may aggravate the burden on the kidneys, resulting in obstacles to the body’s metabolic waste and water excretion, which may affect life expectancy if no active treatment is given.
Kidney has a strong compensatory function, usually, one kidney can maintain the normal secretion and excretion of the organism. Therefore, for patients with normal renal function, one kidney usually does not affect life expectancy.
However, for patients with renal insufficiency, only one kidney may aggravate the burden of the kidney, resulting in impaired excretion of metabolic wastes and water from the body, symptoms such as oliguria, edema, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and in severe cases, life-threatening manifestations such as acute left heart failure. This condition may affect life expectancy.
Patients with only one kidney are advised to visit regular hospitals regularly and standardize the treatment under doctor’s guidance.