For Educational Purposes Only.
We know the kidneys are bean-shaped organs that reside on either side of the spine. We also know that their health is imperative to the body’s ability to function. HOW, then, does the kidney do its job?
Waste in your blood comes from all over the body. Whether the waste is a product of breakdown of muscle tissue or from the food you eat, it must be filtered out of the blood somewhere—or else damage will be done to the body.
Each kidney contains approximately one million tiny filtering units called nephrons. Within each nephron, there are capillaries that, with tubules (tubes that carry urine), work together to extract the waste products from the blood and enter the urinary system1. During the extraction process, the kidneys are working to not only filter out waste, but to also keep important levels balanced. Sodium, phosphorous and potassium are important for your body’s natural function, however the kidneys need to maintain proper concentrations within the blood, too much or too little can lead to damage.
If kidneys lose 30% to 40% of their function, it is possible that the change will go unnoticed2. It is safe to live with just one kidney, but once kidney function falls below 25% a person will start to experience serious complications2. It is possible for one’s kidneys to be in decline for many years or even decades before physical symptoms are produced.
Due to the silent nature of kidney disease, it is important to take precautions over the course of time to prevent future issues.
Though it is not necessary to regularly see a nephrologist (if the kidneys appear to be functioning properly), you should never let anything go unchecked. Even if you aren’t sure the problem in question has to do with your kidneys, speaking with your general practitioner about symptoms may lead you to anephrologist.
Those with high blood pressure and/or diabetes are most at risk for future kidney problems3. If you fall into either (or both) of those categories, learning about how the kidneys work and how to maintain healthy kidneys will pay dividends in the event of reduced renal function. Granted, those are not the only two groups most vulnerable to kidney disease,however research has proven that there is something of a cause-and-effect relationship there.
As a workhorse, the renal system gets the job done efficiently and silently.However, some workhorses get tired,some even get sick. Rather than continuing with business as usual, it is important to make sure you are consuming the proper foods, getting regular exercise and talking to your doctor to ensure that your workhorse is happy, healthy and ready for the job.
Sponsor: Kibow Biotech® 
References
- Hirsch,L.(Ed.).(2018,September).Kidneys and Urinary Tract(for Teens).Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/kidneys.html
2. Clevelandclinic.org. (2015, September 22). Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms & Treatment. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-kidney-disease-chronic-kidney-disease
3. National Kidney Foundation. (2017, February 03). Diabetes – A Major Risk Factor for Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diabetes
