Kidney disease is a general term that includes any disease, disorder or condition of the kidneys. The kidneys are vital internal organs located in the upper abdomen. Normally people have two bean-shaped kidneys, which form a part of the urinary tract in the genitourinary system.
Healthy kidneys function continuously, and the bodys total blood supply passes through the kidneys several times each minute. The healthy body can continue to function with only one good kidney, as happens when someone volunteers to be a living kidney donor.
Kidney disease is due to a variety of conditions that lead to kidney damage and deterioration of kidney function. Kidney disease can make it difficult or impossible for the kidneys to perform functions that are critical to life and your overall health including:
Filtering waste products and excess water and salts from the blood, which are then eliminated from the body through the ureters, bladder and urethra in the form of urine
Producing certain hormones, such as renin, which helps regulate blood pressure
Producing the active form of vitamin D (calcitrol)
Regulating electrolytes and other vital substances, such as sodium, calcium and potassium
Regulating the level and quality of fluid in the body
Stimulating red blood cell production
There are two general types of serious kidney disease: