Purpose of the Kidneys

• The kidneys remove waste products and excess water from the blood. Each day, your kidneys process around 200 liters of blood and cause the body to produce about 2 liters of urine. The normal metabolic process keeps the process going smoothly; this includes the breakdown of active tissues and foods ingested, along with other substances. When you consume medications, vitamins, supplements and various foods, the kidneys help the body to process them. This process prevents toxin buildup that can harm your body. The kidneys also act as a regulator of minerals, such as calcium, potassium and sodium, that are found in the blood. In addition, the kidneys release hormones that are useful for the body.
  
  

Kidney Failure

• It's important not to confuse renal disease, or chronic kidney disease, with kidney failure. Kidney failure is when the kidneys become partially or completely disabled and are unable to perform their normal functions. This could lead to more serious complications, since waste and toxic substances would begin to build up in the body. Kidney failure can lead to anemia, high blood pressure, cholesterol and fatty acid disorders, bone disease that impairs the production of hormones produced by the kidneys, and acidosis.
  
  

Chronic Kidney Disease

• An individual who has been diagnosed with renal disease will begin, if they already haven't begun, to suffer gradual, usually permanent, kidney function loss. This occurs over time, perhaps months or years.
  
  

Stages

• There are five stages of kidney disease:
  1. Slight kidney damage with normal or increased filtration.
  2. Mild decrease in the function of kidneys.
  3. Moderate decrease in function of kidneys.
  4. Severe decrease in function of kidneys.
  5. Kidney failure that requires transplantation or dialysis to survive; this is also known as end-stage renal disease.
  
  

Treatment

• Various medications are used to help treat renal disease. Such medicines include red blood cell production stimulator, phosphorous lowering medications, iron supplements, and blood pressure medications. Vitamins are also sometimes given. Once the kidneys fail completely, however, a transplant or dialysis is required.