General information
What is the kidney?
Kidneys are the name given to two small organs in the form of brown beans. There is one on each side of the body at the waist level of the individual, under the rib cage on both sides of the spinal cord, closer to the back. Their sizes are similar to each other. They are connected to organs such as the urine bladder and ureters where urea, that is, urine, is transported and stored.
Kidneys have very important and vital functions in the body. It cleans and filters the water, acids and wastes in the blood of the individual. They then turn these wastes into urine to be transported out of the body. However, if the kidneys become somehow sick, damaged, or covered with scar tissue, they cannot do their normal job of maintaining a healthy balance between water, salts in the blood and minerals such as calcium.
The kidneys also produce hormones that help manage an individual's blood pressure, keep bones strong, and create red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. It is necessary to pay special attention to any signs of disease or damage, such as pain arising from these kidneys, which have very important and vital functions.
Location of the Kidney
The kidneys are located under the ribs, on either side of the spine. They are roughly bean-like in shape, their normal size in a healthy adult is approximately 12x6x3 cm. Some people are born with only one kidney, and this kidney is usually slightly larger than normal. A person can lead a normal life with a single healthy kidney.
Function of the Kidney
Kidneys are two of the most important organs of the body. They are responsible for filtering and cleaning waste products from the blood and excreting excess fluid in the form of urine. The kidneys are also helpful in regulating blood pressure, making new red blood cells, and keeping bones healthy.
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease?
- Fatigue, nausea, vomiting
-Change in the appearance of urine (bloody, tea-colored, foamy)
-Change in urination habits (increase or decrease in amount of urination, burning while urinating, urination at night)
-Swelling of ankles, hands and face
-High blood pressure
-Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
-Taste disturbance, foul-smelling breath
What Are the Risk Factors of Kidney Diseases?
Diabetes mellitus
Kidney disease can occur as a complication of diabetes. Poorly controlled blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the kidneys. Diabetes is one of the most important reasons for the development of kidney disease.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Uncontrolled hypertension disrupts the capillary structures in the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys become sick and become unable to function normally.
Kidney Stone Disease
Stones formed in the kidney and urinary tract can cause permanent damage either directly or by blocking the urinary flow in the kidney tissue due to their location.
Nephritis
Glomerulonephritis causes inflammation in kidney vessels for various reasons. This condition damages healthy kidney tissue, causing protein leakage in the urine, blood and progressive kidney disease.
Pyelonephritis occurs when recurrent urinary tract infections spread upward to the kidneys.
Structural Disorders
In polycystic kidney disease, there are many fluid-filled vesicles called cysts in the kidneys. Normal kidney tissue has been replaced by these cysts.
Drugs/Toxins
Many drugs, especially those that are excreted by the kidneys, may have side effects that negatively affect kidney functions. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs used in rheumatic diseases are among the drugs that should be considered in terms of side effects on the kidney. Any drug use must be under the supervision of a doctor. In addition, some toxins and heavy metals damage the kidney.
Other Diseases
Lupus and other connective tissue diseases.
What is the Rate of Kidney Disease Occurrence in Turkey?
The rate of chronic kidney disease in the general adult population is 15.7 percent. this means that one out of every 6 people is diagnosed with kidney disease.
Advanced kidney disease is seen in 5.1 out of every hundred people, that is, in one out of every 20 people.
Protein (albumin) leakage in the urine, which is considered the precursor of kidney disease, is found in 10.1 out of every 100 people, that is, in one out of every 10 people.
Kidney disease is found in 18.4% of women and 12.8% of men.
Its incidence increases with age.
8-10% in those over 40
33% in those over 60 years old
42% of those over 70 years old
55% of those over 80 years old
* Chronic REnal Disease In Turkey study: CREDIT study
What is End-Stage Renal Disease?
End-stage renal disease is defined as "permanent deterioration of kidney function". This situation can progress to a stage called "end-stage renal failure", where kidney functions are completely impaired, and dialysis and kidney transplant treatments are essential to maintain life.
Every patient diagnosed with end-stage renal disease should be evaluated for kidney transplantation!
Kidney Transplantation
Kidney transplantation is explained as the insertion of a kidney taken from another person into the patient's body. The kidney to be used for transplantation is obtained from two sources: from a living donor or from a brain-dead person.
