The human body has two kidney organs, shaped like beans and about the size of a fist. They perform important functions like removing waste and keeping a balance of fluids and minerals in our bodies. If our kidneys don’t work well, it can affect how our heart, muscles, nerves, and other body tissues function. The kidneys clean our blood by filtering out waste and extra fluid, which then becomes urine. They also keep the right balance of water, salts, and minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in our bodies. Kidneys make hormones that help control blood pressure and produce erythropoietin. It is a hormone that manages red blood cells. They also make active vitamin D, which keeps our bones strong and healthy. Even though most people have two kidneys from birth, someone can live normally and for a long time with just one healthy kidney.
Imagine your kidneys as a bunch of strainers with really tiny holes, working together to filter all of your blood 60 times a day. Each kidney contains around 1 million tiny units called nephrons. These nephrons have two parts: the glomerulus, where blood is filtered, and the tubule, where waste products are concentrated, and water and minerals are balanced.
Waste products from food and drug breakdown, as well as normal body functions, along with extra fluid that the body doesn’t need, are turned into urine. The urine from all the tubules comes together and travels through a tube called the ureter, which carries it to the bladder.
When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, your body can’t effectively remove waste, excess salt, and fluids. If your kidneys are injured, you might feel weak, retain more fluid, and experience an increase in blood pressure. Depending on the location of the injury, protein may also leak into your urine, causing it to appear foamy. As time passes, your urine volume may decrease.
