Samuel Okoruwa
At first, it may seem totally absurd that there are organs in your body you can live without. But over the years, surgeons, through their amazing surgeries, have proved that they can remove some organs from your body and you will be fine without them.
The human body is an incredible machine and somehow it always finds a way to repair itself when something goes missing. Thankfully, science has also played a big role in helping the human body survive in the most extreme circumstances.
Of course, you would always want to keep all your organs intact, but here are a few of them that you can give up if the need arises.
The Brain
I know what you’re thinking! How can someone live without the brain, the most important organ in the body? Indeed, the brain controls and coordinates every other part of the body. But it is actually possible to live without one hemisphere of the brain. This can be helpful for people who have a kind of epilepsy where seizures stem from one part of the brain.
Removing one hemisphere of the brain can also be considered if it is abnormally large. When people have such conditions, it can be difficult to treat and may affect them to a large extent. As a result, sometimes doctor recommend a hemispherectomy: a surgical procedure that involves removing some or all of the half of the brain.
Many patients who undergo hemispherectomy become seizure-free and they are able to live normal lives. So, it is completely possible to live without one side of the brain at least.
Kidney
By now, a lot of people are aware that it is possible to live without one or even two kidneys if the situation calls for it. In fact, not everyone is born with two kidneys. Some lose theirs to kidney disease while others donate one of their kidneys to those who need one. Simply put, it is totally possible to live with no kidney at all. However, people who have had two of their kidneys removed have to regularly undergo a process called dialysis, which helps to purify their blood.
Stomach
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You don’t believe it? That stomach that you think is so precious can be removed and you will still be able to live your life. People who have been struck with stomach cancer may have some parts or the entire stomach removed depending on when the cancer is located. In the absence of the stomach, the intestine performs its function! Interesting, right? People who have had their stomach removed have to frequently be injected with vitamin B12. This is because it is not easily absorbed by the small intestine. But all bodily functions can take place normally even in the absence of the stomach.
Lung
Of course, the lungs are essentially for breathing. So, it would make sense that removing a lung would cause problems for a person, right. Well, that’s wrong. You can live a normal life with just one lung. People who have been struck with chronic obstructive disease, cancer, or tuberculosis may have some of their lung tissues damaged. In such cases, part of a lung or even the entire lung may be removed. One lung can do up to 70-80% of what two lungs can do. So, apparently a person can do just fine with only one lung. Although some people who have had one lung removed find it more difficult doing strenuous activities, there are other who go on run marathons, which is quite strenuous when you think about it.
Appendix
The appendix is a tube-like organ located near the large intestine. Scientists have found that it really has no clear function in the body. Moreover, the appendix can become swollen and become fatal if not treated on time. Many people who have experienced this have their appendix removed, and this does not affect them in any way whatsoever.
Apparently, removing an organ from the body might come with some side effects. Therefore, you should try to take care of your organs by leading a healthy life. Remember, these organs are constantly working day and night to help you function normally. The least you can do for them is preserve them by taking care of your body.
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