What Is Kidney Disease?
The kidneys are two organs located in your abdominal cavity on either side of your spine in the middle of your back, just above the waist. They perform several life-sustaining roles: They cleanse your blood by removing waste and excess fluid, maintain the balance of salt and minerals in your blood, and help regulate blood pressure.
When the kidneys become damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in the body, causing swelling in your ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. If left untreated, diseased kidneys may eventually stop functioning completely. Loss of kidney function is a serious -- and potentially fatal -- condition.
Kidney Dialysis
Your kidneys help filter waste, excess fluid, and toxins from your blood. They are also important for blood cell production and bone health. If kidneys don't work properly, harmful substances build up in the body, blood pressure can rise, and too much fluid can collect in the body's tissues, which leads to swelling, called edema. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to take over their job.
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Healthy kidneys handle several specific roles. Healthy kidneys:
The sudden loss of kidney function is called acute kidney injury, also known as acute renal failure (ARF). ARF has three main causes:
Common causes include:
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Kidney Disease Causes and Basic Information