Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is a disease that affects the kidneys and the blood stream. Many people do not know about kidney failure because it is not common but if not detected early it can be deadly. Although the kidneys are fist size bean shaped organs they play a vital role in our body. Our kidneys are useful for everything we do because they clean our blood and blood is needed everwhere in our bodies. Kidney failure is a silent killer and there are no symptoms to this which is why people have to be careful and get checked regularly. The tests are easy and can determine exactly what is wrong with the body and can get treated before the problem gets severe. Although kidney failure is not so common here in the United States in developing countries people suffer from this a lot more and they cannot pay for treatment which leaves them to die. I hope this summary teaches you a little more about kidney failure and what you can do to keep yourself a bit more healthy and prevent kidney failure.

Normal Function of the Kidney

The kidneys are the organs that run the urinary system. The kidneys are the red blood cell makers and when they are working properly they produce red blood cells at a normal pace. Not only do they produce red blood cells but they clean the blood stream. The kidneys remove small waste from the blood stream and make sure the blood is clean in order for it to flow back into the body. The waste that has been taken out of the blood stream is then stored in the bladder, this is what is known as urine. Aside from removing waste from the blood stream the kidneys release three different hormones, erythropoietin this hormone stimulates bone marrow which produces blood cells, the second hormone is rennin and this hormone regulates blood pressure, and the last hormone is calcitriol which helps form vitamin D and produce calcium to keep your bones strong and healthy.

Definition of Disease

Kidney failure also known as renal failure is failure in your kidneys and is caused by many factors. Kidney failure is a severe malfunction of the kidneys leading to other illnesses due to the weakness of the body. Kidney failure affects the body but it affects the kidneys and the blood stream the most. The kidneys are the organs that make red blood cells and because blood is needed in all of our body it slowly starts affecting different systems.

Treatment

The two most common used treatments are dialysis and kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment that consists of machines that clean the blood stream. These machines are used because the kidneys themselves cannot clean the blood stream. Here is a picture of the dialysis machines

Kidney transplant is a surgery in which the old kidneys that failed are removed and new healthy kidneys are implanted.

Other treatments are using ACE inhibitors which regulate blood pressure, and keeping a diet and exercising daily help in treating kidney failure.

Conclusion

Kidney failure is a deadly disease but if discovered early it can be cured and
treated. Doctors are looking for new and better ways to treat kidney failure. In the U.S. this
disease is easier to cure and anybody with it can get help from doctors no matter what their
income is. In other countries from Central America and other developing countries there is no way for people to get the treatment and help they need. Developing countries suffer more from not having money and not having equipment to treat patients. There is not much we can do right now but i would want to start studying and developing a program to help people with low income get treated for kidney failure.

References

Bibliography

1. Martin, A. (n.d.). The growing human and economic toll of dialysis- Market Watch. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-growing-human-and-economic-toll-of-dialysis

2. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Acute kidney failure. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2009, from

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000501.htm

3. Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Peritoneal Dialysis. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2009, from http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/peritoneal/#customize

4. Chronic Kidney Disease Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2009, from www.emedicinehealth.com/chronic kidney disease/article em.htm

5. What is Kidney Failure?. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2009, from www.medicinenet.com/kidney_failure/article.htm