Definition & position:

The kidney is the most important organ in the human body. They are sophisticated reprocessing machines. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. It consists of lots of Nophrons which are called the cell of kidney.

Hormones :

The kidneys release three important hormones:

1.      Erythropoietin(EPO) -which stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells

2.      Renin -which regulates blood pressure

3.      Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D- which helps maintain calcium for bones and for normal chemical balance in the body

Daily Activities of Kidney:

Every day  a person’s kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The wastes and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until releasing it through urination.

Wastes in the blood come from the normal breakdown of active tissues, such as muscles, and from food. The body uses food for energy and self-repairs. After the body has taken what it needs from food, wastes are sent to the blood. If the kidneys did not remove them, these wastes would build up in the blood and damage the body.
The actual removal of wastes occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Each kidney has about a million nephrons. In the nephron, a glomerulus—which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary—intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. The glomerulus acts as a filtering unit, or sieve, and keeps normal proteins and cells in the bloodstream, allowing extra fluid and wastes to pass through. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave the blood and enter the urinary system.

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease:

People in the early stages of CKD usually do not feel sick at all. People whose kidney disease has gotten worse may:

• need to urinate more often or less often
• feel tired
• lose their appetite or experience nausea and vomiting
• have swelling in their hands or feet
• feel itchy or numb
• get drowsy or have trouble concentrating
• have darkened skin
• have muscle cramps

Foods that cause kidney damage:

Food is an important consideration for those with impaired kidney function. Consultation with a dietician may be helpful to understand what foods may or may not be appropriate. Since the kidneys cannot easily remove excess water, salt, or potassium, these may need to be consumed in limited quantities. Foods high in potassium include bananas, apricots, and salt substitutes.
Phosphorus is a forgotten chemical that is associated with calcium metabolism and may be elevated in the body in kidney failure. Too much phosphorus can leech calcium from the bones and cause osteoporosis and fractures. Foods with high phosphorus content include milk, cheese, nuts, and cola drinks.




Important information for Kidney:

1.       The kidneys are two vital organs that keep the blood clean and chemically balanced.

2. Kidney disease can be detected through a spot check for protein or albumin in the urine and a calculation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on a blood test.
3. The progression of kidney disease can be slowed, but it cannot always be reversed.
4. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the total or nearly total and permanent loss of kidney function.
5. People with reduced kidney function should see their doctor regularly. Doctors who specialize in kidney disease are called nephrologists.
6. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
7. Dialysis and transplantation can extend the lives of people with kidney failure.
8. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure.

 Controlling chronic kidney disease:

People in the early stages of chronic kidney disease may be able to save their remaining kidney function for many years by :-

• controlling their blood glucose
• controlling their blood pressure
• following a low-protein diet
• maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood
• taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
• leaving their smoking habit