Our Kidneys are an integral part of the Urinary System. Kidneys are bean-shaped organs located towards your back, just below the rib cage, on each side of the spine.
The Kidneys primarily function as a filter that removes toxins & waste from our body. Apart from this, it also plays an important role in Hormone regulation.
Through the renal artery, unfiltered blood flows into the kidneys & then filtered blood exists through the renal vein. Whereas, the urine is carried from the ureter to the bladder.
It is estimated that your kidneys filter around 150 quarts of blood each day. A majority of water and other substances that filter through the glomeruli are returned to the blood by the tubules. Only one to two quarts become urine.
When the kidneys start functioning below their normal capacity, kidney diseases start occurring . It can be caused due to any immediate factor (injury/excessive toxins) or any long-standing condition (High blood pressure/Diabetes).
Based on the functioning capacity of our Kidneys, there are 5 different stages of kidney disease. Starting from less severe & concluding at End-stage kidney disease or Kidney Failure, requiring either Dialysis or Transplant.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measurement of how well the kidneys are performing their function of Blood filtration. It is used to determine the exact stage of your kidney disease.
When the Kidneys gradually lose their function, it causes Chronic Kidney disease, which needs long-term intervention.
