All you need to know about kidney disease

The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the lumbar area under the thorax on both sides of the spine.

Their role is to cleanse blood, remove residual substances and maintain a balance between salt and minerals in the body. They are helping to regulate blood pressure.

Kidney specific roles:

• maintains the balance of water in the body, but also the concentration of sodium, potassium, magnesium

• removes residual blood products from exposure to various chemicals or drugs;

• produces renin - the enzyme that helps to regulate blood pressure;

• produces erythropoietin - a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells;

Sudden discontinuation of renal activity for a certain period of time is called acute renal failure. This may be caused by:

• traumatic lesions resulting in blood loss;

• sudden decrease in blood flow from the kidneys;

• kidney lesions caused by the ingestion of certain drugs or toxic substances.

Performance athletes who don't consume enough fluids during sports events may experience acute kidney disease triggered by lesions of muscle tissue.

Diabetes and hepatitis are chronic diseases that disrupt kidney function.

Immune system disorders, such as lupus erythematosus, chronic viral diseases (HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) are other causes that favor the development of chronic kidney disease.

Excess non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) can be dangerous to the kidneys.

Signs and Symptoms:

• swollen legs or hands because of the kidneys inability to remove excess fluid;

• pain that can be unilateral or bilateral and can irradiate to the lower abdominal floor.

• often go to the toilet, that is, we blame urinary disorders and some discomfort. The urine turns dark.

• suffer from headache, asthenia, visual disturbances, decreased appetite and insomnia.

You can read also about Everything you need to know about cardiovascular disease.
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