THE KIDNEYS

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that serve several essential regulatory roles in vertebrate animals. They remove excess organic molecules (e.g., glucose) from the blood, and it is by this action that their best-known function is performed: the removal of waste products of metabolism (e.g., urea, though 90% of this is reabsorbed along the nephron.) They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and regulation of blood pressure (via maintaining salt and water balance). They serve the body as a natural filter of the blood, and remove water soluble wastes, which are diverted to the urinary bladder. In producing urine, the kidneys excrete wastes such as urea and ammonium, and they are also responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids. The kidneys also produce hormones including calcitriol, erythropoietin, and the enzyme renin, the latter of which indirectly acts on the kidney in negative feedback.
Located at the rear of the abdominal cavity in the retroperitoneum, the kidneys receive blood from the paired renal arteries, and drain into the paired renal veins. Each kidney excretes urine into a ureter, itself a paired structure that empties into the urinary bladder.
Renal physiology is the study of kidney function, while nephrology is the medical specialty concerned with kidney diseases. Diseases of the kidney are diverse, but individuals with kidney disease frequently display characteristic clinical features. Common clinical conditions involving the kidney include the nephritic and nephrotic syndromes, renal cysts, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, urinary tract infection, nephrolithiasis, and urinary tract obstruction.^[1] Various cancers of the kidney exist; the most common adult renal cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Cancers, cysts, and some other renal conditions can be managed with removal of the kidney, or nephrectomy. When renal function, measured by glomerular filtration rate, is persistently poor, dialysis and kidney transplantation may be treatment options. Although they are not normally harmful, kidney stones can be painful, and repeated, chronic formation of stones can scar the kidneys. The removal of kidney stones involves ultrasound treatment to break up the stones into smaller pieces, which are then passed through the urinary tract. One common symptom of kidney stones is a sharp to disabling pain in the medial/lateral segments of the lower back or groin.

The kidneys remove wastes and extra water from the blood to form urine. Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters. The wastes in your blood come from the normal breakdown of active muscle and from the food you eat. Your body uses the food for energy and self-repair. After your body has taken what it needs from the food, waste is sent to the blood. If your kidneys did not remove these wastes, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage your body.

The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside your kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In the nephron, tiny blood vessels called capillaries intertwine with tiny urine-carrying tubes called tubules. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system.

At first, the tubules receive a combination of waste materials and chemicals that your body can still use. Your kidneys measure out chemicals like sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and release them back to the blood to return to the body. In this way, your kidneys regulate the body's level of these substances. The right balance is necessary for life, but excess levels can be harmful.

5 stages of kidney failure

Stage 1-2 Chronic Kidney Failure
According to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), chronic kidney failure is divided into 5 stages. In stage 1, patients still have normal kidney function with GFR no less than 90ml/min, while in stage 2, patients have slightly reduced kidney function with GFR between 60 and 89ml/min. Because kidneys still do their job normally, most people know they have stage1-2 chronic kidney failure when they are tested for another condition.
Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Failure
Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Failure refers to moderate kidney damage with a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30-59ml/min. In this condition, patients' kidneys can still do their work but not as effectively as healthy kidneys. So, this stage is a vital stage. For patients who are in this stage, there is still a chance to reverse it.
Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Failure
Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Failure indicates advanced kidney damage with a severe decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to 15-30ml/min. If progresses continuously, stage 4 kidney failure will develop to end stage where patients may have to begin dialysis or do kidney transplant. For people who are in this stage, more than 70% of kidney functioning cells are damaged in different degrees, of which some are just damaged but some others are necrotic completely. So the key point for the treatment of this stage is to stop the progression of this disease and protect the remaining kidney functions from further damage.
Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Failure
Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Failure refers to end stage renal disease (ESRD), in which kidney function is reduced severely and patients' glomerular filtration rate is less than 15ml/min. Since kidneys have lost nearly all their ability to do their job effectively, kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or transplant may be needed in the past. In our days new therapies like Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy as an alternative ways is preferred by more and more more people, which can help patients to get rid of dialysis or avoid transplant in a natural way.

Kidney Treatments

 

 

Kidney Treatments

• Antibiotics: Kidney infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Often, cultures of the blood or urine can help guide the choice of antibiotic therapy.
• Nephrostomy: A tube (catheter) is placed through the skin into the kidney. Urine then drains directly from the kidney, bypassing any blockages in urine flow.
• Lithotripsy: Some kidney stones may be shattered into small pieces that can pass in the urine. Most often, lithotripsy is done by a machine that projects ultrasound shock waves through the body.
• Nephrectomy: Surgery to remove a kidney. Nephrectomy is performed for kidney cancer or severe kidney damage.
• Dialysis: Artificial filtering of the blood to replace the lost function of damaged kidneys. Hemodialysis is the most common method of dialysis in the U.S.
• Hemodialysis: A person with complete kidney failure is connected to a dialysis machine, which filters the blood and returns it to the body. Hemodialysis is typically done three days per week in people with ESRD.
• Peritoneal dialysis: Placing large amounts of a special fluid in the abdomen through a catheter, allows the body to filter the blood using the natural membrane lining the abdomen. After a while the fluid with the waste is drained and discarded.
• Kidney transplant: Transplanting a kidney into a person with ESRD can restore kidney function. A kidney may be transplanted from a living donor, or a recently deceased organ donor.

Kidney Test

 

Kidney Tests

• Urinalysis: A routine test of the urine by a machine and often by a person looking through a microscope. Urinalysis can help detect infections, inflammation, microscopic bleeding, and kidney damage.
• Kidney ultrasound: A probe placed on the skin reflects sound waves off the kidneys, creating images on a screen. Ultrasound can reveal blockages in urine flow, stones, cysts, or suspicious masses in the kidneys.
• Computed tomography (CT scan): A CT scanner takes a series of X-rays and a computer creates detailed images of the kidneys.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan): A scanner uses radio waves in a magnetic field to make high-resolution images of the kidneys.
• Urine and blood cultures: If an infection is suspected, cultures of the blood and urine may identify the bacteria responsible. This can help target antibiotic therapy.
• Ureteroscopy: An endoscope (flexible tube with a camera on its end) is passed through the urethra into the bladder and ureters. Ureteroscopy generally cannot reach the kidneys themselves, but can help treat conditions that also affect the ureters.
• Kidney biopsy: Using a needle inserted into the back, a small piece of kidney tissue is removed. Examining the kidney tissue under a microscope may help diagnose a kidney problem.

The Kidney

the kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. Each kidney is about 4 or 5 inches long -- about the size of a fist.
The kidneys' function are to filter the blood. All the blood in our bodies passes through the kidneys several times a day. The kidneys remove wastes, control the body's fluid balance, and regulate the balance of electrolytes. As the kidneys filter blood, they create urine, which collects in the kidneys' pelvis -- funnel-shaped structures that drain down tubes called ureters to the bladder.
Each kidney contains around a million units called nephrons, each of which is a microscopic filter for blood. It's possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without experiencing any symptoms or problems.

Kidney Conditions

• Pyelonephritis (infection of kidney pelvis): Bacteria may infect the kidney, usually causing back pain and fever. A spread of bacteria from an untreated bladder infection is the most common cause of pyelonephritis.
• Glomerulonephritis: An overactive immune system may attack the kidney, causing inflammation and some damage. Blood and protein in the urine are common problems that occur with glomerulonephritis. It can also result in kidney failure.
• Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Minerals in urine form crystals (stones), which may grow large enough to block urine flow. It's considered one of the most painful conditions. Most kidney stones pass on their own but some are too large and need to be treated.
• Nephrotic syndrome: Damage to the kidneys causes them to spill large amounts of protein into the urine. Leg swelling (edema) may be a symptom.
• Polycystic kidney disease: A genetic condition resulting in large cysts in both kidneys that impair their function.
• Acute renal failure (kidney failure): A sudden worsening in kidney function. Dehydration, a blockage in the urinary tract, or kidney damage can cause acute renal failure, which may be reversible.
• Chronic renal failure: A permanent partial loss of kidney function. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes.
• End stage renal disease (ESRD): Complete loss of kidney function, usually due to progressive chronic kidney disease. People with ESRD require regular dialysis for survival.
• Papillary necrosis: Severe damage to the kidneys can cause chunks of kidney tissue to break off internally and clog the kidneys. If untreated, the resulting damage can lead to total kidney failure.
• Diabetic nephropathy: High blood sugar from diabetes progressively damages the kidneys, eventually causing chronic kidney disease. Protein in the urine (nephrotic syndrome) may also result.
• Hypertensive nephropathy: Kidney damage caused by high blood pressure. Chronic renal failure may eventually result.
• Kidney cancer: Renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer affecting the kidney. Smoking is the most common cause of kidney cancer.
• Interstitial nephritis: Inflammation of the connective tissue inside the kidney, often causing acute renal failure. Allergic reactions and drug side effects are the usual causes.
• Minimal change disease: A form of nephrotic syndrome in which kidney cells look almost normal under the microscope. The disease can cause significant leg swelling (edema). Steroids are used to treat minimal change disease.
• Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: The kidneys lose the ability to concentrate the urine, usually due to a drug reaction. Although it's rarely dangerous, diabetes insipidus causes constant thirst and frequent urination.
• Renal cyst: A benign hollowed-out space in the kidney. Isolated kidney cysts occur in many normal people and almost never impair kidney function.

The Kidney DIsease

Kidney is one organ that acts as a excretion in humans that is to remove / mengekskresikan substances - substances the body's metabolic wastes in the form of urine. Over time can be decreased kidney function and kidney function eventually even be interrupted (the onset of kidney disease), the disorder can be caused by toxins, infections or drugs - Drugs that have side effects that can harm the kidneys. When the kidneys are not functioning properly then the metabolic waste out of the body will not be toxic to our own bodies.

Disease-causing renal failure caused by a variety of underlying diseases. Disorders or conditions that cause damage to the kidneys, such as obstuksi, infection, violence, inflammation, deformity, swallowed poison, which decreases the blood supply to the kidneys causes include: hypertension, diabetes, kidney damage over time, kidney cancer. drug abuse, drug over dose - Drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

Kidney is one organ that acts as a excretion in humans that is to remove / mengekskresikan substances - substances the body's metabolic wastes in the form of urine. Over time can be decreased kidney function and kidney function eventually even be interrupted (the onset of kidney disease), the disorder can be caused by toxins, infections or drugs - Drugs that have side effects that can harm the kidneys. When the kidneys are not functioning properly then the metabolic waste out of the body will not be toxic to our own bodies.

Disease-causing renal failure caused by a variety of underlying diseases. Disorders or conditions that cause damage to the kidneys, such as obstuksi, infection, violence, inflammation, deformity, swallowed poison, which decreases the blood supply to the kidneys causes include: hypertension, diabetes, kidney damage over time, kidney cancer. drug abuse, drug over dose - Drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

Symptoms of kidney disease and failure ginal can not be equal, but must go through a series of tests in the laboratory. but common symptoms following:
- Urinary sorely lacking compared to previous habits.
- Urine discoloration, foam, or often wake up at night to urinate.
- Often swelling in feet, ankles, hands, and face. Among other things because the kidneys can not remove excess water.
- Come tired or weak, due to the dirt can not be removed by the kidneys.
- Shortness of breath, caused by water collecting in the lungs. This is often misinterpreted as asthma or heart failure.
- Breath odor because of the dirt that accumulate in the oral cavity.
- Feeling sore buttocks.
- Itching, especially on foot.
- Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
- Sometimes pee blood join
- Frequent waking up in the middle of a deep sleep only to piss
- Weight down drastically
- Difficulty and pain when urinating
- Turn daan can not concentrate
- Body feels cold all the time (fever)
- Creatinine was above 2 mg / dL for normal creatinine is 0.7-1.2 mg / dL