Your kidneys filter your blood. They perform a variety of functions, including waste removal and fluid balance. Most people have one kidney on each side of their spine (lower back). Common kidney disorders include renal disease, infections, and cysts.
Overview
What is a kidney?
The kidneys are two fist-sized organs that filter the blood. Your kidneys form part of your urinary system.
Your kidneys filter approximately 200 quarts of fluid per day, enough to fill a large bathtub. During this procedure, your kidneys excrete waste, which exits your body as urine. Most people pee approximately 2 quarts every day. Your body reuses the remaining 198 quarts of fluid.
Each kidney also regulates your body's fluids (mainly water) and electrolytes. Electrolytes are vital minerals such as sodium and potassium.
Function
What do the kidneys do?
Your kidneys perform numerous critical processes. They remove poisons and waste from your blood. Common waste products include urea, creatinine, and acids. They aid in the elimination of these chemicals from your body. Your kidneys filter around half a cup of blood per minute.
During the process:
Blood enters your kidneys via a major blood channel known as the renal artery.
Small blood veins in your kidney filter the blood.
The filtered blood returns to the bloodstream via a big blood artery known as the renal vein.
Urine passes to your bladder via muscle tubes known as ureters.
Your bladder holds urine until it is released during urination.
Kidneys also:
Maintain the pH equilibrium of your blood.
Make sugar (glucose) if your blood does not have enough.
Produce a protein called renin, which raises blood pressure
Produce calcitriol and erythropoietin. Calcitriol is a kind of vitamin D that aids in calcium absorption. Erythropoietin is a hormone that helps your body produce red blood cells.
How do my kidneys filter the blood?
Each kidney has about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron contains:
Glomeruli are groupings of microscopic blood arteries that filter your blood at the initial stage (glomerular filtration). They subsequently transport the filtered chemicals to the renal tubules.
Renal tubules: These microscopic tubes reabsorb and return the water, nutrients, and minerals your body need. The tubules filter waste, including excess acid and fluids. Waste passes through your kidneys' collecting chambers and exits your body as urine.
Anatomy
Where are they located?
Your kidneys are located directly below your rib cage and in your lower back. Typically, one kidney rests on each side of your spine. Your kidneys are located between your intestines and diaphragm. Each kidney is connected to the bladder via a ureter.
What are the components of your kidney?
Your kidneys are extremely complicated organs with several parts. The main components of your kidney anatomy are:
The kidney (renal) capsule consists of three layers of connective tissue or fat that cover your kidneys. It protects your kidneys from harm, improves their stability, and connects them to surrounding tissues.
Renal artery: This big blood channel regulates blood flow to the kidneys. At rest, most people's renal arteries pump little more than 5 cups (1.2 liters) of blood to their kidneys per minute.
The nephrons (blood-filtering units) begin in the outer layer of your kidney, known as the renal cortex. The renal cortex also produces the hormone erythropoietin.
Renal medulla: This is the innermost section of your kidney. It comprises the majority of the nephrons, including their glomeruli and renal tubules. The renal tubules transport urine to the renal pelvis.
Renal papilla: These pyramidal structures transport urine to the ureters. Dehydration and certain drugs can harm the renal papilla.
Renal pelvis: This funnel-shaped structure collects urine and transports it via two ureters. Urine moves from the ureters to the bladder, which stores it.
Renal vein: This is the primary blood artery that transports filtered blood from your kidneys back to your heart. Each kidney has a renal vein.
What do kidneys look like?
Your kidneys are reddish brown. They have the shape of a kidney bean. Each kidney is around 4 or 5 inches long, roughly the size of a fist.
Your kidneys' weight fluctuates. It depends on your height, weight, age, and body mass index (BMI). Your kidneys may weigh anywhere from one to five tennis balls.
Each kidney is topped with an adrenal gland. It generates hormones such as cortisol, which help your body respond to stress.
Conditions and Disorders.
What are the most prevalent kidney-related illnesses and disorders?
Common illnesses affecting the kidneys include:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD): This can impair your kidney function. Chronic kidney disease is typically caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.
The most frequent type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma.
Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, can be acute (worsening quickly) or chronic. End-stage renal disease is the full loss of kidney function.
Kidney infection occurs when germs enter the kidneys via the ureters. These infections produce sudden symptoms.
Kidney stones: Crystals can accumulate in your urine and combine to create a stone, which can obstruct urine flow.
Kidney (renal) cysts: Fluid-filled sacs can form on the kidneys. They may be benign or cancerous.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary illness in which cysts form on the kidneys. It may cause excessive blood pressure and kidney failure.
Numerous additional illnesses can impact your kidneys. Some of these conditions are:
Acidosis occurs when excess acid accumulates and your kidneys fail to remove it. This can lead to a variety of health issues, including the possibility of death.
Acute or interstitial nephritis occurs when your kidneys become inflamed, which can be caused by some drugs. This may cause renal failure.
Azotemia occurs when nitrogen waste accumulates in your blood and your kidneys fail to remove it. Without treatment, azotemia can be fatal.
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which your urinary system becomes blocked, causing urine to back up in your kidneys. Without therapy, hydronephrosis can lead to renal failure.
Diabetes-related nephropathy, also known as hypertensive nephropathy, occurs when diabetes or chronically high blood pressure are not controlled properly.
Glomerular disorders induce inflammation or injury to the glomeruli. Glomerular disorders can induce renal failure.
Minimal change disease and nephrotic syndrome cause your kidneys to excrete extra protein in your urine. Over time, this can harm your kidneys.
Papillary necrosis is when chunks of kidney tissue perish in the medulla and papilla. The tissue may break off and obstruct your kidneys, resulting in renal failure.
Proteinuria is a high protein level in your urine. It could be indicative of kidney injury.
Uremia occurs when your kidneys fail to discharge poisons that would typically leave your body through your pee. They end up in your blood. Uremia is potentially lethal if not treated.
Who has the highest risk of problems?
People with diabetes or high blood pressure are more likely to have kidney difficulties. Accidents or trauma, such as vehicle accidents or sports injuries, can also cause kidney damage.
Symptoms of a problem.
Most kidney disorders do not produce symptoms in their early stages. As kidney disease advances, you may observe:
Cramping muscles: Electrolyte imbalances create muscle stiffness.
Bloody urine or dark urine: Kidney filter damage allows blood cells to escape into your urine.
Foamy urine: Bubbles in your pee can indicate an overabundance of protein.
Itchy, dry skin is caused by an imbalance of minerals and nutrients in the blood.
More frequent urination: Problems filtering waste force you to pee more frequently.
Puffy eyelids or swollen ankles and feet: Decreased kidney function might lead your body to retain protein and salt, causing swelling.
Sleep issues, weariness, and a lack of appetite: Toxin buildup in your blood can disrupt your sleep, appetite, and energy levels.
Stomach ache or vomiting
What are some frequent tests to determine the health of my kidneys?
Healthcare experts utilize a variety of tests to assess kidney function and detect renal disorders. Your provider may recommend:
A urinalysis examines your urine. It measures specific chemicals, such as protein or blood.
Blood testing can reveal how efficiently your glomeruli filter your blood.
A kidney biopsy is a procedure in which your healthcare provider extracts a small sample of kidney tissue to examine under a microscope.
Ureteroscopy: Your provider inserts an endoscope (tube) into your urethra into your bladder and ureters to search for any abnormalities.
Advanced imaging: An X-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or nuclear medicine image can detect kidney abnormalities or obstructions.
Care
Simple tips for keeping your kidneys healthy.
It’s crucial to have frequent exams and blood and urine tests to assess your kidneys’ health. You can lower your chances of acquiring a kidney disease by:
Avoiding tobacco products.
Eliminating excess salt, which can disrupt the balance of minerals in your blood
Drinking Water
Increased daily physical activity helps lower high blood pressure.
Limit your usage of NSAIDs, which can cause kidney damage if taken too frequently.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Monitor your blood pressure levels.
Monitoring your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
You should have your kidney function checked on a regular basis if you have:
A family history of renal disease.
Diabetes
Heart illness.
High Blood Pressure
Obesity or Overweight
Regular use of certain medications, such as blood pressure medicine.
Your kidneys operate around the clock to remove waste from your blood and maintain the proper fluid and electrolyte balance in your body. Because many disorders can impair kidney function, maintaining kidney health is critical. If you have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, frequent exams and testing can help you stay on top of your health.