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   Why are Kidneys Important?
 
   Kidneys are important for two reasons:

Removal of waste products - each kidney contains about one million nephrons. Inside the nephrons, wastes and extra water become urine through a complex chemical process.

Release of hormones and other necessary elements - as the nephrons filter out the body's waste, they also release chemicals such as sodium and potassium back into the blood stream. The kidneys also release hormones necessary to stimulate red blood cell production, regulate blood pressure, and maintain calcium levels.
 
   What is Renal Disease?
 
   Renal Disease is the chronic or acute loss of kidney function.  Diabetes is the number one cause of renal (kidney) failure.  Diabetes prevents normal release of sugar from the body.  Excess sugar left in the body acts as a poison, attacking the nephrons (tiny arteries in the kidneys that deliver blood through the organ).
 
   Causes of Renal Disease
 
   Diabetes - prevents normal release of sugar from the body. Excess sugars left in the body acts as a poison, attacking the nephrons.

High blood pressure - damages the capillaries within the nephrons destroying any filtration potential.

Heredity - polycystic kidney disease (pkd) is a genetic disorder in which cysts grow in the kidneys, replacing most of the mass of the kidneys.

Congenital - autosomal recessive pkd interferes with the development of nephrons while in the womb.

Poisons - some over the counter medicines, when taken for extended periods, destroy renal function; other poisons may cause acute renal failure.

Trauma - a direct blow to the kidneys may cause extensive damage, resulting in acute renal failure.
 
   Symptoms of Renal Disease
 
   - Frequent headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Frequent itching
- Frequent urination
- Burning bladder
- Anemia
- Puffy or baggy eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen numb hands or feet
- Trouble concentrating
- Darkening of the skin
- Muscle cramps
 
   Testing for Renal Disease
 
   The most common forms of testing are through blood and urine samples. If a blood or urine test indicates improper functioning of the kidneys, then the patient must undergo renal imaging using ultrasound, a computed tomography scan (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Creatinine - blood work is drawn to determine creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product resulting from the normal breakdown of muscles during activity. If creatinine levels are unusually high, the kidneys are not functioning at full capacity.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - bloodworm is drawn to determine bun levels. Urea is a waste product created when proteins are used by cells; if unusually high, the kidneys are not functioning at full capacity.

Proteinuria - urine samples are taken to determine if there is protein in the urine (healthy kidneys separate proteins from wastes and return them to the blood stream). If protein is present in the urine, the kidneys are not functioning properly.

Renal imaging - ultrasound, computed tomography (CT scan), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging is done after a blood or urine test indicates that the kidneys are not functioning properly.

Renal biopsy - a sample of kidney tissue is taken via a needle inserted through the skin into the kidney. The sample is studied under a microscope to determine problems at a cellular level.
 

General Website: http://nkdep.nih.gov/

Diabetes, Hypertension and Kidney disease: http://nkdep.nih.gov/resources/NKDEP_GenPopBrochure_508.pdf

 
 

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