KIDNEY DISEASES
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space. In adult humans kidneys are about 12 centimeters in length. Kidneys are essential to having a healthy body. They are mainly responsible for filtering waste products, excess water, and other impurities out of the blood. These toxins are stored in the bladder and then removed during urination. The kidneys also regulate acidity, salt, and potassium levels in the body. They produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells. The kidneys even activate a form of vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium
The function of kidneys
The kidneys perform many crucial functions, including:
- Maintaining and keeping a balance of water and minerals (such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus) in the blood
- Regulating and filtering minerals from the blood
- Filtering waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances
- Creating hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health, and regulate blood pressure such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus) in the blood
- Make renin, which the body uses to help manage blood pressure
Each kidney is attached to a ureter, a tube that carries excreted urine to the bladder.
When the kidneys are damaged or diseased, waste products and fluid can build up in the body. This can cause swelling in the ankles, nausea, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Without treatment, the damage can get worseand the kidneys may eventually stop working. That is serious and can be life-threatening.
Medical problems that can harm the kidneys.
- Not enough blood flow to the kidneys
- Direct damage to the kidneys themselves
- Urine backed up in the kidneys
These can happen to one if one
- Has a traumatic injury with blood loss, such as in a car wreck
- Is dehydrated or the muscle tissue breaks down, sending too much protein into your bloodstream
- Go into shock because you have a severe infection called sepsis
- Have an enlarged prostate that blocks your urine flow
- Take certain drugs or are around certain toxins that directly damage the kidney
- Have complications during a pregnancy, such as eclampsia and pre-eclampsia
- Autoimmune diseases, when your immune system attacks your body, can also cause an acute kidney injury.
- Has a severe heart or liver failure. Such people commonly go into acute kidney injury, as well.
Risk factors for developing kidney disease
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, as it accounts for about 40 percent of new cases. One may also be likely to get kidney disease if he:
- Has high blood pressure
- Has other family members with chronic kidney disease
- Are elderly
- Are of African, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian descent
The types of kidney disease
These may include:
- Pyelonephritis: inflammation cause bacterial, fungal etc. infections. Read More
- Chronic kidney disease: Means lasting damage to the kidneys that can get worse over time. If the damage is very bad, the kidneys may stop working. Read More
- Kidney stones: Hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. The many causes of kidney stones include diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, and certain supplements and medications. Read More
- Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli). Glomeruli remove excess fluid, electrolytes and waste from your bloodstream and pass them into urine. Read More
- Polycystic kidney disease: An inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within the kidneys, causing them to enlarge and lose function over time. Read More
