The kidneys are the organs that filter your blood and regulate the level of water, electrolytes, and other important substances in your body. The kidneys have many other jobs too. They keep the levels of sodium low which is important for normal heart function. And they help to control blood pressure by balancing salt and potassium levels in our bodies. Interestingly enough, these two bean-shaped organs also produce hormones that are essential for bone health!
The kidneys also come into play when it comes to diabetes. When the blood glucose levels are too high, they work with insulin in order to regulate them and keep the body from entering a state of diabetic shock.
The kidney is a remarkably intricate organ that acts as the filter system of the body. Just as important, your kidneys also work to keep the whole body in a state of chemical balance. The kidneys regulate the substances, helpful and harmful, that float around in the body and keep them within very tight parameters so the body can function like a well-oiled machine. This is called renal function.
You cannot live without proper renal function, even if the kidneys are assisted artificially. Life would not continue without the many functions these organs perform.
The kidney is the major player in the regulation of your blood pressure and the make-up of the blood. Maintaining many hormones that are vital to our very existence, the kidneys even produce hormones that tell bones when to make more blood cells.
Kidneys Are Sensitive to Their Environment
Humans are a complex and integrated creation, which is why your kidneys work with the rest of your organs to help you live a healthy life. Unfortunately, when one organ or system fails to work properly, others can begin to fail as well. Whether they're beginning the process of failure themselves or responding to other failures in systems like our kidney's—when it falters many life-altering issues could result including coma from severe dehydration if not treated promptly enough!
Chronic Kidney Disease
These days, the No.1 cause of chronic kidney disease in America is diabetes mellitus. There are many complex reasons for this sorry state and some that aren't completely understood as well; high glucose itself can hurt your kidneys and cause thickening or damage to them when it's not controlled properly by insulin injections from doctors. Diabetes also causes overwork on the kidneys meaning they filtrate too much causing destructive enzymes to proliferate - leading to a myriad of other problems including protein spilling into urine which is an early indicator (warning) sign of CKD (chronic kidney disease).
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Some of the most common symptoms that can be associated with kidney disease are frequent headaches, fatigue, itchiness all over your body blood in urine and loss of appetite. You may experience nausea or vomiting too puffiness around your eyes as well as swelling hands and feet due to increased fluid retention. Darkened skin is also a symptom - this could mean you have an infection caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus erythrepticus (strep). Muscle cramps in the lower back pain will worsen when moving- not what classically happens for muscle spasms which typically improve after movement! High blood pressure is another sign; it's important to consult with our healthcare provider
Treating Kidney Disease
A variety of kidney disease treatment options are available to control chronic symptoms and complications from the disease, including medications to:
Lower blood pressure- reduce cholesterol - treat anemia protect your bones. Your doctor might also recommend a lower protein diet for you in order to minimize waste products within your body. Regular follow-up tests may be necessary so that doctors can see if or how much progress is taking place with your condition while on these treatments.
