Kidney What to Know

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. They play a vital role in filtering waste products and excess water from your blood, producing urine, and regulating blood pressure.

Here's what you need to know about your kidneys:

1. Filtration and Waste Removal: The kidneys continuously filter your blood to remove waste products, toxins, and excess water. These waste products include urea, creatinine, and uric acid. By removing these substances, the kidneys help maintain your blood's chemical balance and prevent the buildup of harmful substances in your body.

2. Urine Production: The filtered waste products, along with extra water, form urine in the kidneys. Urine then travels from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters, where it is stored until you urinate.

3. Regulating Fluid and Electrolyte Levels: The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the proper balance of fluids, electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride), and minerals in your blood. They regulate the amount of water reabsorbed into the blood and the amount of electrolytes excreted in the urine.

4. Blood Pressure Regulation: The kidneys also help control blood pressure by regulating the production of a hormone called renin. Renin is involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which affects the constriction or dilation of blood vessels, ultimately influencing blood pressure.

5. Erythropoietin Production: The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

6. Acid-Base Balance: The kidneys help maintain the proper pH (acid-base) balance in your blood by regulating the excretion of acids or bases in urine.

7. Vitamin D Activation: The kidneys convert a form of vitamin D obtained from food or sunlight into its active form, which is essential for bone health and calcium absorption.

8. Kidney Stones: Kidney stones are hardened mineral and salt deposits that can form in the kidneys or urinary tract. They can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract.

9. Kidney Failure: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of kidney function over time. It can lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis (a treatment to filter waste products from your blood) or a kidney transplant.

10. Kidney Health: Maintaining good kidney health is essential for your overall well-being. Some healthy lifestyle choices that can help protect your kidneys include staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, limiting sodium intake, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and managing underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Remember that if you have any concerns or symptoms related to kidney health, such as persistent back pain, changes in urine color or output, or unexplained swelling, it's important to see your doctor for proper evaluation and management. Regular check-ups and preventive care can help keep your kidneys healthy and functioning optimally.