The focus of most of our health consciousness is localized around taking care of the heart. Though the heart supplies the “vital” blood to all extremities of the body, the quality of blood, on which all life functions depend, is ministered by two, small, fist-sized biological wonders, the kidneys.
Located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage, these sophisticated trash collectors are natural blood filters that intelligently balance out body salts and acids, snare toxins, and dispose them off via the urinary tract. The kidneys filter blood 12 times/hr, 200 quarts/day, expelling around 1-2 quarts/day of urine as waste. Most of us are only aware of the miraculous “filtering” ability of these unsung heroes, but what they contribute through secretion of critical hormones and enzymes, influences our morbidity immensely. These master chemists of the body intervene in many processes, and influence critical functions like blood pressure stabilization (via hormone Renin), internal water and mineral balance, red blood cells’ formation (via hormone Erythropoietin), bone development (via active Vitamin D), etc., which rely a lot on the optimum health and performance of the kidneys.
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
Blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, passes through a number of tubules (tiny tubes) into the medulla, a central collecting region. The glomeruli and tubules together make up nephrons, each kidney having up to 1 million of these long and extremely fine tubes. The process of waste creation and elimination can be best described as:
- the digestive system synthesizes food and drinks into nutrients,
- the colon handles the solid waste while the nutrients seep into our blood,
- the body functions, needed to nourish, repair and maintain, consume these nutrients,
- the waste nutrients or byproducts of these functions, then get filtered by the kidneys and are expelled as urine,
- the amount of chemicals like sodium, phosphorus, and potassium is maintained by measured absorption/filtering.
The “cleansed” blood is now made available to the body through the renal vein.
ARE YOUR KIDNEYS IN TROUBLE?
Sadly kidney disease doesn’t express into a lot of visible symptoms and can reveal itself fatally. A few subtle pointers do require our attention:
- Anemia: Kidneys release a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) instructing your bone marrow to produce red blood cells (RBCs). Poorly functioning kidneys fail to trigger this mechanism leading to symptoms of anemia: muscle weakness; shortness of breath; pale skin, gums, and fingernail beds; dizziness; feeling cold more than others; disillusioned; erectile dysfunction in men; menstrual disturbances in women.
- Edema (Swelling): Failure of kidneys to remove excess water leads to swelling and water retention in ankles, face, and/or hands, lungs, etc.
- Infrequent Urination: Some of the signs of kidney problems: Too much of too less trips to the restroom; lower quantity than normal of urine; Foamy or bubbly urine; urine darkening or blood traces in urine; extra effort to start/maintain urination.
- Uremia (Toxins buildup): Lack of kidney’s waste disposal function leads to: skin rashes; itching; nausea and vomiting; loss of appetite; Metallic taste in the mouth; Bad breath; Weight loss.
- Back or Flank (Side) Pain: Polycystic kidney disease or any infection of the kidney manifests in back pain.
HOW DO YOU CONFIRM?
Kidneys filter blood and discharge urine, so abnormalities (presence of substances) in blood and urine tests, is a strong indicator of something amiss. The two most common kidney function tests are Creatinine (blood) and Albumin (urine).
- Creatinine: Muscle movement creates the waste product creatinine, which damaged kidneys fail to filter, leaving traces of this substance in your blood.
- Albumin (type of protein): Healthy kidney filters are so supremely fine that protein cannot pass through. Finding traces of protein in urine (bubbly or foamy) indicates kidney problems.
MANIFESTATIONS OF KIDNEY DAMAGE:
Short term or long term kidney degeneration can manifest in various anomalies like:
- Pyelonephritis -infection of kidney pelvis,
- Glomerulonephritis– Blood and protein discharge in urine,
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis),
- Nephrotic syndrome– protein discharge in urine,
- Polycystic kidney disease– formation of large cysts,
- Acute renal failure– due to sudden loss of blood or dehydration,
- Chronic renal failure– due to long term chronic diseases,
- End stage renal disease (ESRD)-complete loss of kidney function,
- Papillary necrosis-broken kidney tissue clogging the kidneys,
- Kidney cancer-Renal cell carcinoma,
- Interstitial nephritis– Inflammation of the connective tissue, to name a few.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
Kidney degradation doesn’t happen overnight unless of sudden blood loss or dehydration. Most of the causes are lifestyle induced and can be controlled.
- Long term use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) -prescription painkillers,
- Cigarette Smoking
- Contrast Dyes used in diagnostic radiology procedures,
- Higher Salt (Sodium) intake
- Drug allergies
- Consuming Genetically Modified (GM) foods, artificial sweetners and carbonated beverages
- Consuming Animal protein (meat and dairy products)
- High intake of caffeine laden drinks and high-oxalate foods
- Vitamin D deficiency.
- Sepsis, Rhabdomyolysis and Multiple Myeloma.
- Diseases affecting the kidney.
CAN YOU PREVENT THIS?
Prevention through self-awareness about symptoms, regular clinical diagnosis, holistic lifestyle and positive outlook can help you nurture your kidneys.
- Manage diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease: Following a healthy diet, a regular exercise regimen and adhering to medication guidelines is critical to avoid overloading the kidneys with excessive, unwanted by-products.
- Keep the Table Salt Shaker away: Sodium increases blood pressure and is a contributor in kidney stone formation.
- Hydrate: Water eases the load on the kidneys by ensuring smooth waste disposal, good blood volume and concentration.
- Don’t control the urge to pee: Storing toxic urine in the bladder, for longer than needed, can lead to uninary tract infections that can affect the kidney’s filtration adversely.
- Eat right: The more junk you eat the more the poor kidneys need to struggle to filter and eliminate. Foods like fish, asparagus, cereals, garlic, parsley and fruits like watermelon, oranges and lemons make the task of the kidneys easier.
- Think and drink: Carbonated drinks or the tea/coffee from the vending machine, are drinks that leave you and the kidneys dehydrated. Coconut water is great for the kidneys.
- Quit the habit: Alcohol abuse upsets the body’s electrolyte balance and hormonal control that influences the kidney function. Smoking has an adverse effect on heart health which can further worsen kidney problems.
- Reduce Obesity: Obesity leads to other chronic ailments which indirectly affect the kidneys. Keep your weight in check.
- Don’t play Doctor: Improper knowledge, about the implications of an increase in dosage or new medication, on your kidney health, may lead to fatal kidney failure. Follow dosage recommendations and avoid self medication.
- Know your herbs and supplements: Discuss with your practitioner the consequences on your kidney, before going on a herbal supplement diet.
- Get yourself tested regularly: Don’t shy away from getting regular tests done to diagnose and treat early symptoms.