Dec 29 2008
Understanding Kidney Function
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a closed hand. Are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are a complex machine reprocessing. Daily purify about 190 liters of blood around 1.9 liters to filter waste and excess water. The waste and excess water becomes urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until you urinate.
The waste in the blood are formed by the breakdown of normal tissues and assets of the food consumed. The body uses food as a source of energy for their own repairs. After the body takes what it needs for food, sending debris in the blood. If the kidneys do not filter these wastes are accumulate in the blood and damage the body.
Seepage occurs in small units in the kidneys nefronas calls. Each kidney has about a million nephrons. In the nephron, a small blood vessel or capillary called glomerulus is intertwined with a small tube called a tubule urine collector. Is a complicated exchange of chemicals as waste and water leave the blood and into the urinary system.
At first, the tubules receive a mixture of wastes and chemicals that the body can still use. The kidneys measure chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus and potassium. Then sent back to the blood, which then returned to the body. That way, the kidneys regulate the levels of these substances in the body. You need a balance to sustain life, excessive levels can be harmful.
In addition to eliminating waste, the kidneys release three important hormones:
- Erythropoietin – stimulates production of red blood cells by bone marrow
- Renin – regulates blood pressure
- Calcitrol – the active form of vitamin D, which helps maintain calcium for bones and for normal chemical balance in the body
Proper Kidney Function
A team of medical professionals may refer to the work of the kidneys as kidney function. If both kidneys are healthy for your body, renal function is 100 percent. In fact, a kidney function of 100 percent is more than necessary. Some people are born with one kidney and lead a normal and healthy life. Many people donate a kidney for transplant to a relative or friend. It is possible that a small reduction of kidney function does not cause any problems.
However, many people with reduced kidney function have a kidney disease that will worsen with time. If you have less than 25 percent of kidney function complete, will have serious health problems. If your kidney function is reduced to less than 10 to 15 percent, may not live long without some form of replacement therapy in renal function, either dialysis or transplantation.