Kidneys are a pair of organs which are located at the back of the abdomen, on the either side of the human spine, at the level of the lowest rib cage. A nephron is a single unit of the kidney which along with other nephrons perform the main function of filtering the blood and the body fluids in the kidney. We all are aware that kidneys filter the blood and the waste products are excreted in the form of urine. But, that is not the only function our kidneys perform. They remove the waste products from the body, maintain an equilibrium of the body fluids, release various hormones which regulate important functions, they are responsible for the genesis of red blood cells and kidneys produce an active form of Vitamin D which is essential for healthy bones. So many important functions are performed by this organ pair and it’s important to keep it healthy to maintain its functionality.
What are the common problems that are associated with kidneys ?
Kidneys are a vital organ of the human body and diseases affecting the kidneys can affect the overall health. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to kidney diseases. Individuals who have uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease.
An inflammation of the filtering units of kidney, kidney stones, drugs which can affect the functionality of kidneys, polycystic disease of the kidneys and certain syndromes are other causes which can affect the health of the kidney and can lead to chronic kidney disease and occasionally kidney failure.
How can one keep the kidneys in good health ?
Prevention is the initial answer to all the diseases and hence it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise. If one is hypertensive or diabetic it is always advised to keep the conditions in regular check and take the required treatment/medication and follow the lifestyle changes required for the same. One should incorporate potassium rich foods like spinach, bananas, yoghurt, apricots, and avocadoes if one is diagnosed with some kidney disease to improve the functionality of the kidneys.
Chronic kidney disease can be a sum of multiple other health issues hence the most important and easy way to maintain the health of the kidneys is a healthy lifestyle and regular checkups with your doctor.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
