The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located under the rib cage on either side of the spine in the lower back. Each kidney is about the size of an adult fist and weighs about a half pound.
Each kidney has approximately one million nephrons that perform the work of the kidney. When you have kidney disease, nephrons become damaged and cannot work properly. In the beginning stages of kidney disease, the healthy nephrons can do the extra work of the damaged nephrons. As kidney disease continues, more nephrons become damaged and eventually the nephrons that are left cannot function well enough to keep you healthy. Waste products will then build up in the body and you start to feel sick.
Although it may appear that kidney disease occurs suddenly, most of the time it has been happening slowly, often for many years.
Functions Of The Kidney
Your kidneys perform many very important functions. The most well known functions of the kidney are to filter impurities and waste products out of the blood and to remove extra fluid from the body by making urine.
Other important functions of the kidney include:
- Assist in producing red blood cells
- Help to keep your bones healthy
- Help control blood pressure and regulate important substance in your blood
Causes Of Kidney Disease
The two leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease are diabetes and high blood pressure.
Other causes include:
- inflammation and infection of the kidneys, such as pyelonephritis
- genetic disorders such as polycystic kidney disease and Alport’s syndrome
- diseases that affect the immune system such as Lupus;
- urinary tract infections
- obstructions of the kidneys such as kidney stones, or below the kidney such as enlarged prostate gland,
- long term use of medicines that may damage the kidneys such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (For example Ibuprofen and Celecoxi)
Diagnosis of Kidney Disease
Your kidney doctor (nephrologist) will determine how well your kidneys are working by testing your blood and urine. Creatinine is an important indicator in your blood and urine to find out your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR helps determine your kidney function.
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