HUMAN KIDNEY

1. What is the Kidney?

  • The kidney is a bean-shaped organ in your body.
  • You have two kidneys, located on either side of your spine, just below your ribs.
  • They filter your blood to remove waste, extra water, and toxins, creating urine.

2. Functions of the Kidney

  • Filtration: Cleans the blood by removing waste products like urea and creatinine.
  • Balancing Fluids: Maintains the right balance of water and electrolytes (like sodium, potassium, and calcium).
  • Regulating Blood Pressure: Produces a hormone called renin, which helps control blood pressure.
  • Making Red Blood Cells: Produces erythropoietin, a hormone that tells the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
  • Bone Health: Activates Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and keeps bones strong.

3. Kidney Structure

  • Cortex: The outer part where filtration begins.
  • Medulla: The inner part, where urine collects before leaving the kidney.
  • Nephrons: Tiny filtering units inside the kidneys (you have about 1 million in each kidney!).
  • Ureter: Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

4. How Do Kidneys Work?

  • Blood enters the kidneys through the renal artery.
  • Inside the nephron, blood is filtered:
    • Glomerulus: Removes waste and extra water.
    • Tubules: Adjusts the amount of water, salts, and other substances that are kept or removed.
  • Clean blood leaves through the renal vein, and waste exits as urine.

5. Common Kidney Problems

  • Kidney Stones: Hard crystals formed by minerals in urine.
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Gradual loss of kidney function.
  • Kidney Failure: When kidneys stop working and require dialysis or a transplant.
  • UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): Infection that can reach the kidneys if untreated.

6. How to Keep Kidneys Healthy

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Eat a balanced diet with low salt and sugar.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
  • Manage conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

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