KIDNEY DISEASE
Normal Kidneys and Their Function
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that lie on either side of the spine in the lower middle of the back. Each kidney weighs about ¼ pound and contains approximately one million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron is made of a glomerulus and a tubule. The glomerulus is a miniature filtering or sieving device while the tubule is a tiny tube like structure attached to the glomerulus.
The kidneys are connected to the urinary bladder by tubes called ureters. Urine is stored in the urinary bladder until the bladder is emptied by urinating. The bladder is connected to the outside of the body by another tube like structure called the urethra.
The kidneys are connected to the urinary bladder by tubes called ureters. Urine is stored in the urinary bladder until the bladder is emptied by urinating. The bladder is connected to the outside of the body by another tube like structure called the urethra.
Function of Kidney
The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood. The kidneys process about 200 liters of blood every day and produce about two liters of urine. The waste products are generated from normal metabolic processes including the breakdown of active tissues, ingested foods, and other substances. The kidneys allow consumption of a variety of foods, drugs, vitamins and supplements, additives, and excess fluids without worry that toxic by-products will build up to harmful levels. The kidney also plays a major role in regulating levels of various minerals such as calcium, sodium, and potassium in the blood.
As the first step in filtration, blood is delivered into the glomeruli by microscopic leaky blood vessels called capillaries. Here, blood is filtered of waste products and fluid while red blood cells, proteins, and large molecules are retained in the capillaries. In addition to wastes, some useful substances are also filtered out. The filtrate collects in a sac called Bowman's capsule.
The tubules are the next step in the filtration process. The tubules are lined with highly functional cells which process the filtrate, reabsorbing water and chemicals useful to the body while secreting some additional waste products into the tubule.
The kidneys also produce certain hormones that have important functions in the body, including the following:
Active form of vitamin D (calcitriol or 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D), which regulates absorption of calcium and phosphorus from foods, promoting formation of strong bone.
Erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Renin, which regulates blood volume and blood pressure.
As the first step in filtration, blood is delivered into the glomeruli by microscopic leaky blood vessels called capillaries. Here, blood is filtered of waste products and fluid while red blood cells, proteins, and large molecules are retained in the capillaries. In addition to wastes, some useful substances are also filtered out. The filtrate collects in a sac called Bowman's capsule.
The tubules are the next step in the filtration process. The tubules are lined with highly functional cells which process the filtrate, reabsorbing water and chemicals useful to the body while secreting some additional waste products into the tubule.
The kidneys also produce certain hormones that have important functions in the body, including the following:
Active form of vitamin D (calcitriol or 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D), which regulates absorption of calcium and phosphorus from foods, promoting formation of strong bone.
Erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Renin, which regulates blood volume and blood pressure.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease occurs when one suffers from gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function over time. This happens gradually, usually months to years. Chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages of increasing severity (see Table 1 below). The term "renal" refers to the kidney, so another name for kidney failure is "renal failure." Mild kidney disease is often called renal insufficiency.
With loss of kidney function, there is an accumulation of water; waste; and toxic substances, in the body, that are normally excreted by the kidney. Loss of kidney function also causes other problems such as anemia, high blood pressure, acidosis (excessive acidity of body fluids), disorders of cholesterol and fatty acids, and bone disease.
Stage 5 chronic kidney disease is also referred to as kidney failure, end-stage kidney disease, or end-stage renal disease, wherein there is total or near-total loss of kidney function. There is dangerous accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances, and most individuals in this stage of kidney disease need dialysis or transplantation to stay alive.
Unlike chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure develops rapidly, over days or weeks.
-Acute kidney failure usually develops in response to a disorder that directly affects the kidney, its blood supply, or urine flow from it.
-Acute kidney failure is often reversible, with complete recovery of kidney function.
-Some patients are left with residual damage and can have a progressive decline in kidney function in the future.
-Others may develop irreversible kidney failure after an acute injury and remain dialysis-dependent.
With loss of kidney function, there is an accumulation of water; waste; and toxic substances, in the body, that are normally excreted by the kidney. Loss of kidney function also causes other problems such as anemia, high blood pressure, acidosis (excessive acidity of body fluids), disorders of cholesterol and fatty acids, and bone disease.
Stage 5 chronic kidney disease is also referred to as kidney failure, end-stage kidney disease, or end-stage renal disease, wherein there is total or near-total loss of kidney function. There is dangerous accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances, and most individuals in this stage of kidney disease need dialysis or transplantation to stay alive.
Unlike chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure develops rapidly, over days or weeks.
-Acute kidney failure usually develops in response to a disorder that directly affects the kidney, its blood supply, or urine flow from it.
-Acute kidney failure is often reversible, with complete recovery of kidney function.
-Some patients are left with residual damage and can have a progressive decline in kidney function in the future.
-Others may develop irreversible kidney failure after an acute injury and remain dialysis-dependent.
Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
GFR* ( ml/min/1.73 m2) When Glomerular filtration rate measures the kidney's function
- Slight kidney damage with normal or increased filtration : More than 90
- Mild decrease in kidney function : 60-89
-Moderate decrease in kidney function : 30-59
-Severe decrease in kidney function Kidney failure : 15-29
- Slight kidney damage with normal or increased filtration : More than 90
- Mild decrease in kidney function : 60-89
-Moderate decrease in kidney function : 30-59
-Severe decrease in kidney function Kidney failure : 15-29
Chronic Kidney Disease Causes
Although chronic kidney disease sometimes results from primary diseases of the kidneys themselves, the major causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States.
- High blood pressure (hypertension), if not controlled, can damage the kidneys over time.
- Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation and damage of the filtration system of the kidneys, which can cause kidney failure. Postinfectious conditions
and lupus are among the many causes of glomerulonephritis.
- Polycystic kidney disease is an example of a hereditary cause of chronic kidney disease wherein both kidneys have multiple cysts.
- Use of analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) regularly over long durations of time can cause analgesic
nephropathy, another cause of kidney disease. Certain other medications can also damage the kidneys.
- Clogging and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to the kidneys causes a condition called ischemic nephropathy, which is another
cause of progressive kidney damage.
- Obstruction of the flow of urine by stones, an enlarged prostate, strictures (narrowing), or cancers may also cause kidney disease.
- Other causes of chronic kidney disease include HIV infection, sickle cell disease, heroin abuse, amyloidosis, kidney stones, chronic kidney infections,
and certain cancers.
If you have any of the following conditions, you are at higher-than-normal risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Your kidney functions may need to be monitored regularly.
Diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol
High Disease
Liver Disease
Amyloidosis
Sickle cell disease
Systemic Lupus erythematosus
Vascular diseases such as arteritis, vasculitis, or fibromuscular dysplasia
Vesicoureteral reflux (a urinary tract problem in which urine travels the wrong way back toward the kidney)
Require regular use of anti-inflammatory nutritional medications.
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States.
- High blood pressure (hypertension), if not controlled, can damage the kidneys over time.
- Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation and damage of the filtration system of the kidneys, which can cause kidney failure. Postinfectious conditions
and lupus are among the many causes of glomerulonephritis.
- Polycystic kidney disease is an example of a hereditary cause of chronic kidney disease wherein both kidneys have multiple cysts.
- Use of analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) regularly over long durations of time can cause analgesic
nephropathy, another cause of kidney disease. Certain other medications can also damage the kidneys.
- Clogging and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to the kidneys causes a condition called ischemic nephropathy, which is another
cause of progressive kidney damage.
- Obstruction of the flow of urine by stones, an enlarged prostate, strictures (narrowing), or cancers may also cause kidney disease.
- Other causes of chronic kidney disease include HIV infection, sickle cell disease, heroin abuse, amyloidosis, kidney stones, chronic kidney infections,
and certain cancers.
If you have any of the following conditions, you are at higher-than-normal risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Your kidney functions may need to be monitored regularly.
Diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol
High Disease
Liver Disease
Amyloidosis
Sickle cell disease
Systemic Lupus erythematosus
Vascular diseases such as arteritis, vasculitis, or fibromuscular dysplasia
Vesicoureteral reflux (a urinary tract problem in which urine travels the wrong way back toward the kidney)
Require regular use of anti-inflammatory nutritional medications.