We may not think about it often, but our kidneys are one of the most important organs in our body. They are responsible for filtering toxins from the bloodstream and balancing electrolytes and minerals. But these two small organs do so much more. In this blog post, we will discuss the anatomy and physiology of human kidneys, their functions, diseases associated with them, and how to keep your kidneys healthy. From early warning signs of kidney disease to dietary tips to maintain good kidney health, you’ll find everything you need to know here.
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They’re located right under your ribcage, on either side of your spine. Every day, your kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid.
The main function of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the blood. This process is called filtration. The filtered blood then returns to the body through the renal veins. Urine produced by the kidneys flows through the ureters to the bladder where it is stored until it is eventually eliminated from the body through the urethra.
Besides filtering blood, your kidneys also perform other important functions such as:
Regulating blood pressure
Maintaining electrolyte balance (potassium, sodium, phosphate)
Producing erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production)
Converting vitamin D into its active form (calcitriol) which helps maintain calcium levels in the blood
Kidney diseases can be broadly classified into two categories – those that damage the kidney structure and those that affect kidney function. Some common kidney diseases include:
What are the kidneys and what do they do?
The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the lower abdomen. They are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them in the urine. The kidneys also regulate fluid balance in the body and produce hormones that control blood pressure. Diseases of the kidneys can lead to kidney failure, which can be fatal.
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They’re located near the middle of your back, just below your rib cage. The job of your kidneys is to filter your blood. They take out waste and extra water, which become urine. The urine flows from your kidneys to your bladder through tubes called ureters.
Your kidneys also help control blood pressure by releasing a hormone called erythropoietin (eh-rith-roh-POI-eh-tin). This hormone signals your body to make more red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all the tissues in your body.
If your kidneys are damaged, they can’t do all these things as well as they should. As a result, waste builds up in your blood, and you may get sick. You may need treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.
Common kidney diseases
There are many different types of kidney diseases, but some of the most common include:
-Chronic kidney disease: This is a long-term condition that slowly damages the kidneys. It can be caused by things like diabetes or high blood pressure.
-Acute kidney injury: This is a sudden, often temporary, loss of kidney function. It can be caused by things like a infection or a blockage in the urinary tract.
-Kidney stones: These are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause pain when they pass through the urinary tract.
-Kidney infections: These occur when bacteria enter the kidneys and cause inflammation.
How to keep your kidneys healthy
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They’re located near the middle of your back, just below your ribcage.
Kidneys filter your blood and remove waste and excess fluid from your body. Those wastes become urine, which flows through tubes called ureters to your bladder. Urine leaves your body when you urinate (pee).
Your kidneys also help regulate blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and red blood cell production. As part of these functions, they produce a hormone called erythropoietin (eh-rith-roe-POY-eh-tin), which tells your body to make more oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
You can keep your kidneys healthy by eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. You should also limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s especially important to control these conditions because they can damage your kidneys.
Conclusion
Our kidneys are essential organs that perform a variety of functions to keep us healthy. Understanding how our kidneys work, what can go wrong with them, and the different ways we can take care of them is important for keeping ourselves in optimal health. With this knowledge, you will be better equipped to recognize any signs or symptoms of kidney disease and able to make lifestyle changes needed to reduce your risk. Taking good care of your kidneys now can help prevent future problems from arising later down the line.