KIDNEYS

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the
rib cage, one on each side of your spine.

Healthy kidneys filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make
urine. The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of muscle called ureters,
one on each side of your bladder. Your bladder stores urine. Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder are part
of your urinary tract.

Why are the kidneys important?

Your kidneys remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. Your kidneys also remove acid that is
produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals—such
as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—in your blood.

Without this balance, nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not work normally.

Your kidneys also make hormones that help:

 control your blood pressure

 make red blood cells NIH external link
 keep your bones strong and healthy

Chronic Kidney Disease

The most common form of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a long-
term condition that doesn’t improve over time. It’s commonly caused by high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is dangerous for the kidneys because it can increase the pressure on the glomeruli.
Glomeruli are the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys where blood is cleaned. Over time, the increased
pressure damages these vessels and kidney function begins to decline. Kidney function will eventually
deteriorate to the point where the kidneys can no longer perform their job properly.

Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease:

 Make healthy food choices

 Make physical activity part of your routine
 Aim for a healthy weight
 Get enough sleep
 Stop smoking
 Limit alcohol intake
 Explore stress-reducing activities

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are another common kidney problem. They occur when minerals and other substances in
the blood crystallize in the kidneys, forming solid masses (stones). Kidney stones usually come out of the
body during urination. Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful, but they rarely cause significant
problems.
Preventing Kidney Stones Disease:

 Stay hydrated
 Eat more calcium-rich foods
 Eat less sodium
 Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods
 Eat less animal protein
 Explore herbal remedies

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are extremely small structures inside
the kidneys that filter the blood. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections, drugs, or congenital
abnormalities (disorders that occur during or shortly after birth). It often gets better on its own.

Preventing Glomerulonephritis Disease:

 Eat a healthy, unprocessed food.

 Manage high blood pressure with a low salt diet, exercise and medication.
 Prevent infections by practicing good hygiene and safe sex. Also avoid using needles for illegal
drugs and tattoos.
 See a healthcare provider whenever you think you have an infection like strep throat.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system. Infections in the
bladder and urethra are the most common. They are easily treatable and rarely lead to more health
problems. However, if left untreated, these infections can spread to the kidneys and cause kidney
failure.

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections:

 Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.

 Drink cranberry juice.
 Wipe from front to back.
 Empty your bladder soon after intercourse.
 Avoid potentially irritating feminine products.
 Change your birth control method.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

People who have PKD were born with it. PKD is almost always inherited from a parent or from both
parents. People of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities and nationalities can have PKD. Men and women
get PKD equally as often. If you have a blood relative with PKD, you are more likely to have PKD or carry
the gene that causes it. If you carry the gene that causes PKD but you do not have the disease, you are
called a carrier. This is possible with autosomal recessive PKD.
There is no way to prevent either form of PKD. If you have PKD, you may be able to keep your kidneys
working longer by following a healthy lifestyle. Some tips for living healthy include:

Preventing Polycystic Kidney Disease:

 Keep a healthy blood pressure.

 Keep a healthy blood sugar level.
 Keep a healthy weight.
 Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet.
 Limit alcohol.
 Do not smoke or use any tobacco product. If you smoke or use tobacco, quit now.
 Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
 Take all prescription medicines as your doctor tells you to.
 Do not take more than the recommended dose of over-the-counter medicines.