What are kidneys? The kidneys are two organs shaped like beans that are as big as your fist. They grow as you grow and develop. Your kidneys are located in the lower portion of your back, just below your rib cage.
Why are kidneys important? The kidneys provide these vital functions:
If your kidneys stop functioning, you have two options: you must undergo dialysis to clean your blood so that the toxins do not build up in your blood and cause you additional medical problems, or you must get a kidney transplant.
How do kidneys work? Blood enters your kidneys through an artery that comes from your heart. As the blood flows through the kidney, it is cleaned by passing through thousands of tiny filters. The waste materials are stored in the bladder as urine. The newly cleaned blood re-circulates through the bloodstream through veins.
What is kidney failure? Kidney failure simply means that your kidneys have stopped working. When your kidneys do not work, your body cannot control the amount of fluid that builds up in your body. Also, your body is not able to balance the amounts of different nutrients like potassium and phosphorous. In some cases, loss of kidney function is temporary and may return, but most often kidney failure is permanent. Even if kidney failure is temporary, medical treatment in the form of dialysis must be undertaken to protect your body from toxins and fluid build up.
What causes damage to your kidneys? The kidneys can be damaged in an accident or by disease. The two most common causes of kidney failure are from the complication of uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure. Additionally, overuse of over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc., can cause kidney damage.
