Kidneys:
The kidneys are paired organs located on either side
of the back. These are above the waistline and protected by ribs.
Functions
of the kidney:
The kidneys are the body’s chief chemists.
They balance the body’s water content and body
chemicals.
They remove waste products from the blood.
They produce different hormones and chemicals.
These help to produce red blood cells.
They help the body use vitamin D which keeps bones
strong and healthy.
They control blood pressure.
The
function of the renal system:
The renal system consists of the paired kidneys and
ureters, the bladder and the urethra.
The kidneys remove waste products from the blood.
Ureters carry these waste products as urine from the
kidneys to the urinary bladder.
The urethra eventually passes out the urine from the
body.
Loss
of kidney function:
The two kidneys in our body work 24hrs a day to
separate waste products from the blood. The urine, which is excreted by the
kidneys, is drip-fed into the bladder through the water. Every day, 180 liters
of blood goes into both kidneys. Blood travels through the 140mile long sieve –
like microtubules in the kidneys to remove waste products. When this activity
is reduced to less than 15 percent, excess water stays in the legs and lungs.
Toxins can cause various harms without leaving. This is what we call kidney
failure. This can be divided into three types: Acute, Chronic and Mature or
End- Stage.
Symptoms
of kidney failure:
When the kidneys gradually fail, at one point their
efficiency will drop to less than 70 percent. Until then most people are likely
to have nothing that’s a big hassle is likely to come. The following symptoms
can be caused by kidney failure.
Urinary incontinence less or more than usual.
Sudden swelling of the hands, feet and face.
High blood pressure.
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Bitterness in the mouth.
Physical exhaustion, fatigue, dizziness.
Psychological problems such as lack of interest in
anything insomnia at night, sleep during the day.
Head ache, body aches, pain in the bones.
Kidneys that were working well may suddenly fail. It can be caused by accidental blood loss, high blood pressure, infection of the kidneys, adverse effects of certain medications, stone blockage in the renal tubule urinary obstruction due to the inflammation of prostate gland. They may need temporary dialysis treatment. In most cases, within two or four weeks, the kidneys begin to function properly. Dialysis treatment may not necessary to be done continuously. With proper treatment, the kidneys can return to normal.
Symptoms of acute kidney failure:
Reduced urine output.
Swollen legs, ankles, and feet.
Weakness and fatigue.
High blood pressure.
Confusion.
Chronic
kidney failure:
It’s caused by the kidneys gradually being affected
for various reasons on a monthly or yearly basis. For this is due to diabetes
and high blood pressure.
Symptoms of chronic kidney failure:
Abnormal blood and urine tests.
Swelling in the face, hands, and feet.
Headaches.
High blood pressure.
End
stage kidney failure:
The kidneys have no chance of working again. The main
cause of this problem are chronic kidney damage, genetic disorders, tumors in
the kidneys and nephritis. If the kidney becomes completely inactive, an
artificial cleansing treatment called dialysis will be required. Of these,
there are two types, hemodialysis and peritonial dialysis. Both of these are
only temporary solutions. Kidney transplant surgery is the only permanent
solution for them.
To
prevent kidney damage:
If kidney failure is detected early, no medication is
needed. We can set right it through our eating habits.
Urea, creatine which are present in the blood, helps
the kidneys flush out toxins, and maintain the body’s water balance. Therefore,
one can take easily digestible vegetables, spinach and natural foods in order
to reduce its function. Eat hydrated fruits and vegetables such as radishes,
cucumbers and watermelons.
It’s best to avoid salty foods such as spices and
monosodium glutamate. It’s also important to avoid chemicals in foods and processed
foods.
Getting up early in the morning and doing breathing
exercises purifies the blood. This strengthening the renal blood vessels.
Hemodialysis
– Machine blood purification:
Hemodialysis is the artificial purification of impure
blood. During dialysis treatment, toxins in the blood, including water, are
removed with the help of machines. For this, blood is pumped from the body
through a tube into a dialysis machine. There it is purified and returned to
the body through another tube.
Method
of hemodialysis:
During the first dialysis, small holes are drilled in
the neck area. At the same time, a minor operation called an arteriovenous
fistula is performed on the hand. That’s they will have a small operation on
the area between the left wrist and elbow and a small machine will be fitted.
This allows the blood to be pumped into the dialysis machine at a sufficient
pressure. You have to wait up to a month for this surgery to be done. Until
then, dialysis will be done through a tube in the neck area. Once the fistula
is ready, it will be dialyzed through a blood vessel in the hand.
In this method the needle is inserted into the large
blood vessel that carries good blood to the wrist and into the small blood
vessel that carries impure blood. Bad blood coming from the body will go into
the dialysis machine. Inside the machine is a fluid called dialysate which
purifies the blood. The fibers inside the dialyzer will filter out unwanted red
blood cells, water and waste. Only purified blood can go back into the body.
Dialysis should be done two or three times a week
depending on the patient’s vulnerability. It takes three to four hours to do
dialysis. Even with dialysis three times a week, only 30 percent of kidney
function occurs. This dialysis method is suitable for those who are at home.
But, dialysis is not optimal for those who go to work. It’s best for them to
have a kidney transplant.
Peritonial dialysis is a surgical procedure in which a
tube is permanently inserted into the abdomen. By injecting purified water
called dialysate into it, and the patient undergoes dialysis.
Kidney transplantation surgery is recommended to avoid
side effects including fatigue caused by regular dialysis. Donating one of the
two kidneys of a healthy person to a person who has brain death due to an
accident can match the kidney to the victim. Generally, people who have had a
kidney transplant need to take medication for the rest of their life to keep
the immune system and that do not affect the kidneys. Should also be under
constant medical supervision.
Diet
for patients with kidney failure:
Don’t drink too much water. Drinking too much water
can cause water retention in the legs and lungs. The level of toxins in the
blood continues to rise. The result is an increase in blood pressure.
Avoid salt in your daily diet. Avoid fatty titbits
with added salt. Increasing the impact of salt.
Juice, Soft drinks, Coffee, Tea, etc. should be
avoided.
Eat less watery vegetables and fruits.
Potassium rich foods should be avoided. Protein rich
foods should be taken in moderation.
