Kidney Function Information

Your kidneys are two of the most important organs in your body. They provide many essential functions to your health, including filtering your blood of waste, balancing chemicals in your body and releasing hormones and vitamins. Kidneys also help control your blood pressure and help produce red blood cells. For such important organs, kidneys are also delicate. Any damage done to your kidneys is irreversible and if your kidneys fail altogether, you can die.

Functions

Your kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that remove waste from the body by producing urine and excreting it through the bladder and urethra. They are part of the urinary system, along with the bladder, urethra and ureters. Removing waste is their main function, but they also aid in regulating blood pressure, electrolytes and the acid-base balance of the body. Kidneys also are an important part of the hormone production process, including the vitamin D, which is necessary to keep your bones healthy.

Structure

In humans, kidneys are found behind the abdomen, one on each side of the spleen. Blood enters the kidneys through the renal arteries. There waste is filtered from the blood and then the blood is sent back into circulation through the renal veins. Each kidney is also connected to a ureter, a small muscular duct that draws urine from the kidney and delivers it to the bladder.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease (also called renal disease) can be a congenital problem, such as a birth defect or polycystic kidney disease. Acquired kidney conditions develop over time and can be caused by conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Kidneys perform many of the bodily functions necessary for humans to live. Any kidney disease is a serious condition that must be diagnosed and treated by a physician.

There are several signs that something is wrong with your kidneys. You may find yourself urinating more often or have a sudden difficulty urinating at all. Unusual tiredness, loss of appetite or drowsiness may also indicate kidney disease. Swelling in your extremities or numbness is an indication of poor circulation, which can be brought on by kidney disease.

Kidney Failure

Like kidney disease, kidney failure is a very serious medical condition. Kidney failure can occur at once because of kidney trauma, but kidney failure usually develops over time. Gradual kidney failure is generally silent, meaning there are no definite symptoms until it is too late. When the kidneys have completely failed, it is called end-stage renal disease or ESRD. End-stage renal disease can only be treated through either transplantation of another kidney or dialysis, which is the filtering of the blood through a machine outside the body. If these procedures are not done, the patient will die.

Kidney Health

Many conditions will increase your risk of contracting kidney disease. Chronic urinary tract infection, diabetes and high blood pressure can all lead to kidney disease. Obesity and smoking will also increase your kidney disease risk. Certain lifestyle choices will reduce your risk of kidney disease. Drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy body weight. Avoid salty or fatty foods. Limit alcohol intake and do not smoke at all. You should also have your blood pressure checked regularly.

References

• The Kidneys and How They Work
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Kidney Disease--Prevention