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Abnormal Kidney Functions

Our kidneys, those two bean-shaped organs that sit just below our rib cage on each side of our back, are no larger than a fist each. However, their small size doesn't impact their importance, since they are responsible for filtering as much as 200 quarts of blood per day. This filtering process weeds out about two quarts of waste (food and dead cells and tissues) each day, and when damaged--usually through poisoning or injury--can have negative effects on the body, eventually leading to total kidney failure if not addressed medically.

  1. Normal Kidney Function

    • The normal functioning kidneys are involved in several important processes. But one of the most important is their filtering ability, since they remove waste from the body that could cause great harm if it continued to build up in the body. By excreting water and solutes, the kidneys control these concentration levels, so the volume of blood and other fluids in the body remains constant.

    Additional Kidney Functions

    • In addition, the kidneys ensure an acid-base balance, so you're blood is never too acidic or too alkaline; they convert Vitamin D to an active form (so calcium can be absorbed in the intestines); they manufacturer Erythropoietin (which stimulates bone marrow to make needed red blood cells); they produce the hormone Renin, which controls both sodium and blood pressure.

    Abnormal Kidney Function: Low Red Blood Cell Count

    • When renal failure occurs, the kidneys make less Erythropoietin. This, in turn, reduces the number of red blood cells being produced by the bone marrow, which results in anemia. When the body does not get enough oxygen to the cells--which happens when too few red blood cells are produced because of the anemia--then an individual usually experiences extreme fatigue after only minimal exertion.

    High Blood Pressure and Edema from Abnormal Kidney Function

    • As the kidneys ability to function decreases, due to too few red blood cells, other functions are affected as well. The concentration and volume of fluids (blood and others) becomes imbalanced and the kidneys are unable to remove salt and fluids as needed. This results in high blood pressure and even fluid buildup in the tissues of the body. Edema can occur in the legs, and pulmonary edema can occur in the lungs, as fluid that isn't excreted finds these two places to relocate.

    Inability to Excrete Metabolic Waste: An Abnormal Kidney Function

    • As the kidneys lose their ability to excrete fluids and salts, they also lose the ability to excrete metabolized products and substances, including potassium and phosphorus. When phosphorus levels become elevated it results in automatic (and undesired) lowering of blood calcium levels, which prompts parathyroid gland hormone release to offset the low level. This prompts the bones to release calcium. Thus, this process keeps repeating itself until other substances begin to have a toxic effect in the body too, and other hormones become fatigued due to over production. Finally, the entire kidney system could shut down altogether if not medically treated.

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