Understanding Organ Transplants and Donation
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Organ Transplants and Donation
Organ Transplants:
consist of replacing organs, tissues, cells that do not function properly in one organism (the recipient) with others that do not function properly from the same or another body (the donor). Bone marrow are currently transplanted for leukemia patients, in addition to transplanting tissues such as skin and organs such as the heart, kidney, liver, or lungs. In most transplants, the donor is a different person; sometimes the donor is also the recipient. This type is called autologous transplant. Sometimes it is an animal xenotransplantation.Transplant Rejection:
occurs when the recipient's immune system attacks to prevent rejection. Comparable donors are sought, and the patient has to undergo treatment by taking medication (immunosuppressants) which suppresses their immune system.Organ Donation:
a selfless act of solidarity towards other ill people who are given the opportunity to live. The donor does it voluntarily and is not rewarded in any way. Spain has the highest organ donation rate in the world, but the availability of organs and tissues is still too low. The National Transplant Organization (ONT) coordinates the entire national transplant system. The system is free and guarantees that all citizens have the same opportunity.Who Can Be the Donor?
- Living donors: can donate tissues such as blood or any organ they can live without (kidney).
- People who have suffered brain death: if they have died but their heartbeat is maintained artificially.
The Organ Donation Process:
- The start of the organ donation process: a potential donor is identified in a hospital as brain dead, and the National Transplant Organization is informed.
- Brain dead is confirmed: additional medical tests are carried out to further confirm brain death.
- Consent: relatives of the deceased person are asked how their loved one would feel about organ donation.
- Allocating a recipient: according to a waiting list and compatibility.
- Organ removal: once the organs have been allocated, the patient is prepared for organ removal.
- Organ transfer: using special equipment that guarantees preservation.
- The transplant: hospital organ transfer.