The kidneys were once thought to be the seat of sentiments, conscience, and yearnings, as well as the wellspring of morality and ethical conduct. The kidneys were related to the most inward aspects of a person’s personality and well-being. While we now know that kidneys do not play a direct part in developing our ethics, emotions, or personality, these two bean-shaped organs are nevertheless essential to our health. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are around the size of a fist. They’re immediately below your rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Your kidneys are in charge of eliminating waste and extra fluid from your body. Your kidneys also eliminate acid created by your body’s cells and keep a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals in your blood, such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not function correctly if this equilibrium is not maintained.
How do kidneys work?
Every minute, healthy kidneys filter roughly a half cup of blood, eliminating wastes and excess water to produce urine. Urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder via two thin muscular tubes called ureters, one on each side of the bladder. Urine is stored in your bladder. The urinary tract includes your kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Each of your kidneys is composed of around a million filtering units known as nephrons. Each nephron has a filter called the glomerulus as well as a tubule. The nephrons function in two stages: the glomerulus filters your blood and the tubule restores required chemicals to your blood while removing wastes. As blood rushes into each nephron, it enters the glomerulus, a network of microscopic blood arteries. The glomerulus’s thin walls enable smaller molecules, wastes, and fluid—mostly water—to enter the tubule. Proteins and blood cells, which are larger molecules, remain in the blood vessel.
A blood artery runs parallel to the tubule. The blood vessel reabsorbs virtually all of the water, as well as minerals and nutrients, as the filtered fluid passes down the tubule. The tubule aids in the removal of excess acid from the circulation. Urine is formed from the leftover fluid and wastes in the tubule.
How does water affect your kidneys?
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There is no hard and fast rule that everyone should drink 8 glasses of water every day. This is only general advice based on the fact that we lose water from our bodies all the time and that we require enough water intake to live and optimal quantities to flourish. It is estimated that men require roughly 13 cups (3 liters) of fluid per day, while women require roughly 9 cups (2.2 liters) per day for healthy kidneys.
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If you have renal failure, less is more. People who have renal failure do not excrete enough water if any at all. Water must be severely restricted for patients undergoing dialysis therapy.
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It is possible to consume too much water. Though this is not particularly frequent in the normal person, endurance athletes such as marathon runners may drink huge volumes of water, diluting the salt level in their blood, resulting in a serious condition known as hyponatremia.
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Drinking enough water or other healthy fluids, such as unsweetened juice or low-fat milk, to relieve thirst and maintain your urine pale yellow or colorless, is what the ordinary person understands by being “water-wise.” When your urine is dark yellow, it means you’re dehydrated. You should be producing around 1.5 liters of urine every day (about 6 cups).
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Kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are two prevalent medical diseases that can harm the kidneys and require enough water. When there is enough water available to prevent stone-forming crystals from bonding together, kidney stones develop less easily. Water aids in the dissolution of antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, increasing their efficacy. Drinking enough water also stimulates the production of urine, which aids in the removal of infection-causing germs.
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Drinking more water while taking some prescriptions or before and after procedures using contrast dye may help prevent kidney injury. Before having medical procedures utilizing contrast dyes, read drug labels and ask questions. However, always visit your healthcare practitioner first, especially if you are on a fluid restriction.
What causes kidneys to damage?
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Analgesics: Using pain relievers over an extended length of time may result in chronic analgesic nephritis. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are examples.
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IgA nephropathy: This condition, also known as Berger disease, arises when immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies accumulate in the kidney. IgA is an important component of the immune system, but too much of it can be hazardous. The illness advances slowly, perhaps over 20 years. Abdominal discomfort, redness, and arthritis are some of the symptoms. It can lead to renal failure.
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Lithium is a medication prescribed by doctors to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Lithium, on the other hand, has the potential to induce nephropathy. Long-term usage from a reliable source. Despite the risk, with thorough medical care, a person can escape the detrimental consequences of lithium.
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Chemotherapy agents: The most prevalent form of kidney problem in cancer patients is acute renal damage. This might be related to the extreme vomiting and diarrhea that are frequent chemotherapy side effects.
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Alcohol impairs the kidneys’ capacity to filter blood. It also dehydrates the body, making it more difficult for the kidneys to restore internal balances, and raises blood pressure, which can also be harmful to the kidneys.
You can make an appointment with leading nephrologists in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and all the major cities using credihealth to keep a regular check on your kidneys.
How can you keep your kidney healthy?
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Eat a well-balanced diet: High blood pressure and diabetes are the root causes of many renal disorders. As a result, eating a balanced diet can help avoid several prevalent causes of kidney disease. A balanced diet is recommended by the leading nephrologists in Mumbai for maintaining good blood pressure.
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Get adequate exercise: Exercising for 30 minutes every day can lower your chances of high blood pressure and obesity, both of which place a strain on your kidneys.
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Drink a lot of water: Fluid intake, particularly water, is critical. 6 to 8 cups of coffee per day can help enhance and maintain renal function.
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Sleep and stress management: The finest nephrologists in Mumbai advocate obtaining 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night and engaging in stress-relieving activities.
How to make an appointment easily?
Credihealth is an online healthcare platform that can help you find the best nephrologist in your region. You can consult a doctor right away via online or teleconsultation. You may utilize the website to make online bookings and appointments with the best nephrologists in India depending on your specific needs. For example, you may search keywords like Nephrologist in Hyderabad, and all relevant information would be displayed. Credihealth lists over a thousand nephrologists, together with information about their experience, education qualifications, specialty, expertise, patient review & ratings, consultation hours, fees, and affiliations. Among other things, Credihealth’s health site offers cost comparison, second opinions, and booking savings.
