Kidney

Overview

Kidney stones are a painful and dangerous condition that plagues millions of people worldwide. Symptoms include back pain, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, chills and more. Kidney stones develop when crystals form in the urine and either block a kidney’s filtering system or combine with it. The most common symptoms of this process are a persistent need to urinate that is not relieved by urination, frequent diarrhea, blood in the urine, weight loss despite an appetite for food, fatigue and constant thirst.

What is a Kidney?

A kidney is one of the largest organs in the human body and is located in the lower right side of your back. It filters out toxins from the blood and helps to regulate blood pressure. The surrounding areas that a kidney affects include the bladder, urethra, and lower intestines.

The kidney’s Anatomy

The kidneys play an essential role in the body by removing waste and excess fluid from the blood. The kidneys are located just below the ribcage and are covered in a fatty layer to protect them. The two kidneys are separated by a thin membrane. Each kidney is about the size of an orange and weighs about 1 pound.

The function of the kidneys depends on how well they work together. The left kidney is responsible forcreating urine and the right kidney is responsible for removing waste products from the blood. When one of these functions becomes impaired, it can lead to serious health problems.

The kidneys receive their blood supply from the renal vein, which originates in the lower left side of the vertebral column. Veins bring oxygen-rich blood down to the organs and return arterialized blood back up to the heart. The renal veins merge just above the kidney and run under the skin towards the pelvic girdle, where they enter through a small opening called a ureteral orifice. From there, they travel down either side of each kidney until they merge into one large vein near the bladder (vesical), where they empty into the urinary bladder.

Definition of kidney stones

Kidney stones are small pieces of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. They can block the flow of urine and cause significant pain in the lower back, flank, or groin.

Kidney stones can also damage other organs in the body, such as the bladder or ureters. In severe cases, they may need to be removed through surgery.

The surrounding areas affected by kidney stones include:

-The lower back: The kidneys sit just below the spine and are responsible for filtering blood before it is passed on to the rest of the body. When kidney stones form, they can obstruct the flow of blood and increase pressure on the lower back. This can lead to pain and discomfort.

-The flank: The flank is a location near the hipbone where two major vessels exit the body – one to supply blood to the legs and one to carry waste away from the body. When kidney stones form, they can block these vessels and create pressure in this area. This can lead to pain and swelling, as well as inflammation (redness).

-The groin: The groin is an area located below the waistline where two other major vessels exit the body

• one to supply blood to the legs and one to carry waste away from the body. When kidney stones form, they can block these vessels and create pressure in this area. This can lead to pain and swelling, as well as inflammation (redness).

-The lower back: The lower back is a location where two major vessels exit the body – one to supply blood to the legs and one to carry waste away from the body. When kidney stones form, they can block these vessels and create pressure in this area. This can lead to pain and discomfort.

-Nausea: Nausea is an unpleasant sensation of being ill due to infection or irritation of the stomach lining. Some signs include nausea that begins after eating, when not eating food, or vomiting. This can be caused by kidney stones.

-Vomiting: Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach. Predominant symptoms are nausea and vomiting, but also include fever, chills, cramps, sweating and general weakness.

-Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a loose stool that you may pass once or more times every day. It may be accompanied by bloating and abdominal pain.

-Fever: Fever is considered to be higher than 100°F. The body’s temperature rises because the cells are working harder to get rid of the infection. While fever may seem like an infection at first glance, it is not always the case. While it can be associated with kidney stones, it could also come from any of the following:

-Stomach Flu: The most common cause of fever is a stomach bug, such as H. Pylori or Salmonella infection.

-Skin Infection: Because the skin is so close to your insides, it is a hotbed for infection. Anything that goes on the skin can start an infection in the body.

-Viral Infection: Viruses that become active during summer months are warmer than many other viruses that cause illnesses in winter.

-Infectious Disease: Infections can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to other bugs.

-Travel Accident: A well-known risk of traveling is getting sick while away from home. You may be able to prevent illness altogether by taking precautions including not visiting new places.

Causes

A kidney is a organ in the human body that filters toxins and waste from the blood. It also helps to produce urine. Kidneys are located on either side of the spine, just below the stomach. They are about the size of a melon and weigh about 1 pound.Kidneys can affect surrounding areas, depending on the health of the individual. If a person has a damaged or diseased kidney, it can impact their ability to drink enough fluids and take in enough nutrients, which can lead to other health problems. A damaged or diseased kidney can also cause serious pain in the lower back, as well as nausea and vomiting.

What is Kidney Disease ?

Kidney disease is a condition that affects the kidneys and how their tissues work together to filter waste from the body and generate hormones needed to control the heartbeat. There are many different types of kidney disease, but all of them can lead to problems with how the body handles fluids and waste. Kidney disease can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the legs and feet. The most common symptoms of kidney disease include loss of appetite, fatigue, swelling in your legs or feet, muscle cramps, and a drop in blood pressure. In severe cases of kidney disease, you may experience anemia or blood in your urine.

Kidney Disease Type:
Renal Condition Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the most common heart conditions and can be life threatening if not detected early on. CAD usually affects men but it can also occur in women. It primarily affects the main arteries leading to the heart which leads to increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Diagnosis

A kidney is a large, bean-shaped organ located on the right side of the body near the groin. It filters blood and helps to produce urine. The surrounding areas that a kidney affects include the bladder, ureter, and outflow tracts. Kidney disease is a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to work properly. It affects about one in every four Americans and occurs most often after age 20. There are several types of kidney disease, including congenital (present at birth), neoplasms, infections, and degenerative diseases. The health problems that occur do not suddenly appear; they develop over time as the kidneys slowly deteriorate.

Causes. Kidney function depends on good blood flow and blood supply to the organ. When these factors are impaired, kidney disease develops. The following contribute to kidney damage:

• Various types of cancer

• Infections: such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C virus (HIV), and syphilis

• Toxins: such as lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals

• Diabetes. The most common type of diabetes is called non-insulin dependent (NIDDM). In this form of diabetes, the pancreas mistakenly produces too much insulin, which actually damages the kidneys. Other types of diabetes cause damage not only to the kidneys but to multiple organs in the body.

• Allergies or other diseases that affect blood vessels

• A diet that is high in fat and carbohydrates (such as a high-fat Western diet or high carbohydrate, low-fat diet)

• Long periods of sitting especially when watching television. Kidney disease may occur when you sit all day at work and then relax when you get home.

Treatment and prevention

A kidney is a small, bean-shaped organ in the upper right side of your torso. It filters blood and removes waste products from the blood. Kidneys also help to regulate blood pressure and keep the balance of fluids in your body.
Kidneys can be affected by a number of diseases or injuries. If you have any of these conditions, your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist, who is specially trained to treat kidney disease.
Here are some ways to protect your kidneys:

-Avoid high levels of salt and sodium in your diet. They can damage your kidneys.

-Stay active by exercising regularly. Exercise helps keep your cholesterol and blood pressure levels in check, which can protect your kidneys.

-Get regular screenings for prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. These screenings can detect early signs of kidney disease and help save lives.

Summary

A kidney is a vital organ that helps us to metabolize and eliminate waste from the body. It also regulates blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and fluid balance. The surrounding areas that a kidney affects include the bladder, bowel, brain, heart, lungs, and skin. If any of these areas are not functioning properly due to renal issues, it can lead to serious health problems. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you seek medical attention: intense pain in the back or side of your ribcage; decreased urination; excessive thirst; fever; lightheadedness; confusion; weakness; fatigue (especially after exercise); poor appetite (or an increase in appetite but without weight loss); rapid weight gain or loss.