The kidneys play key roles in body function not only by filtering and getting rid of waste products but also by balancing the electrolyte levels in the body, controlling blood pressure and stimulating the production of red blood cells. As the kidneys filter blood, they create urine which collects in the kidney’s pelvis funnel shaped structure that drain down tubes called ureters to the bladder. The kidneys are located in the abdomen towards the lower back. Each kidney is about 4 or 5 inches long about the size of a fist. Each kidney contains around a million unit’s nephrons, each of which is a microscopic filter for blood. It’s possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without experiencing any symptoms or problems. With this said …show more content…
When the kidney ultrasound test is administered a probe is placed on the skin it reflects sound waves off the kidneys creating images on a screen. Ultrasounds can reveal blockages in urine flow, stones, cysts, or Suspicious masses in the kidneys. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) is a scanner which uses radio waves in a magnetic field to make high-resolutions images of the kidneys. Many people live with chronic kidney disease and on the verge of kidney failure, without even realizing there is an issue. The gradual transition from unhealthy kidneys to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and finally to kidney failure is very subtle with very subtle with very few symptoms in the early stages. However recognizing the symptoms of impending kidney failure can save you years of health problems. The seven most common signs of kidney failure are leg & back pain it consist of having lingering pain in the legs and the upper back close to where the kidneys are situated. You’ll often just feel pain in the side of the affected kidney. The discomfort can be so terrible that it’s been compared to labor pain by affected women. This …show more content…
The location of the effected kidneys can also be a source of pain. The kidneys are situated on either side of the body, directly underneath the diaphragm, near the lower back which is why pain can radiate to the low back abdominal sides or even down into the legs. If the kidneys develop cysts due to polycystic kidney disease this can understandably result in lower back and leg pain as well. The kidneys produce urine in order to filter waste out of the body. This means oftentimes when the kidneys are jeopardized, Urinary Urgency may occur frequently in the middle of the night and you may notice that you have to urinate more often with increased pressure and in larger quantities. The pressure may be so strong on your bladder that you feel you can’t squeeze all the urine out when you go to the bathroom (similar to a urinary tract infection) if the urine contains blood you should seek medical attention immediately. Fatigue is a symptom of kidney failure, healthy kidneys produce adequate amounts of the EPO (erythropoietin) hormones which command
Chronic kidney disease also denoted as chronic renal failure is the gradual failure of the kidney to perform its function as required. The condition occurs gradually thus goes undetected until when it is too late. According to Buttaro et al (2013, p.723), there are certain risk factors that lead to the development of chronic kidney disease that individuals should be conversant with. Chronic kidney disease is hereditary meaning it can be passed from a parent to a child via genes. Age is another factor. This implies that people over 60 years are likely to get the disease thus should be cautious. Individuals having atherosclerosis, bladder obstruction, chronic glomerulonephritis or congenital kidney disease are also at the risk of getting the
There are two types of glomerulonephritis—acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The ACF form generally develops suddenly as a result of an infection or illness, such as, group A streptococci bacteria, hepatitis, or in diseases such as lupus or HIV (Mathias, 2013). This type may require dialysis to replace renal function while it lasts, however, kidney function usually returns after the primary illness is treated. Many acute patients will not have any other complications as no permanent damage is done. Whereas CKD is found in a person that has had glomerulonephritis for months to years in some cases and may be asymptomatic until the kidney has become irreversibly damaged. ARF can evolve to become chronic if the glomeruli do not respond to
Many people never find out that they have had stones in their kidneys. Some stones are small enough to flow through the kidney without ever causing any pain. These are called "silent stones"(Ford-Martin & Odle, 2005) Kidney stones cause problems when they get in the way of the normal flow of urine. They can block the flow through the ureter that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. “The kidney is not accustomed to experiencing any pressure. When pressure builds from backed-up urine, it causes hydronephrosis” (Ford-Martin & Odle, 2005). If the kidney is subjected to this pressure for a while, there may be damage to the fragile kidney structures. When the kidney stone is lodged further down the ureter, the backed-up urine may also cause the ureter to swell. Because the ureter is a musc...
Nephrolithiasis, more commonly known as kidney stones, is a common renal disease characterized by crystal depositions in the kidney as a result of urinary supersaturation. There are several types of stones, such as uric acid, cystine, and struvite stones, but calcium stones are the most common.
According to The National Kidney Foundation (2014) “Kidney Failure does not have symptoms that are found to be medical concerning which then once people find out they have Acute Renal Failure it is already in an advanced stage”. There are subjective and objective signs and symptoms for Acute Renal Failure. Subjective symptoms are Lethargy, Fatigue, restless leg syndrome, depression, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, confusion, intractable hiccups. Objective...
Kidney stones, a very common urinary tract disorder that is now really rampant in humans especially. Some causes of kidney stones are still being argued from whether it is due to what is consumed or having a history in the family. There are some common kidney stones which are phosphate, oxalate and calcium. This kidney stones may vary in sizes, in other words if the kidney stones in one that is small then there is a less tendency to notice. Although, most people would notice when they starting filling pains that feel like cramps on the back and the side in area around the kidney or lower abdomen. Due to the blockage of urine by the insoluble salt this causing more concentrated urine.
Most likely, if a kidney stone is causing blockage in the urinary tract, the person will need treatment. The majority of the kidney stones are small so they are left untreated and the person must wait for them to pass and a pain medication will be prescribed. One way someone could assist the stone in passing is by drinking a lot of water to help move the stone through the urinary tract, and if unable to drink due to vomiting, then it would be suggested that the person go to the hospital in order to get fluids through an IV. Your urologist can remove the kidney stone and break the stone into smaller pieces if the stone is large and the urinary tract is blocked with treatments such as shock wave lithotripsy and an ureteroscopy. In shock wave lithotripsy, a shock wave machine is used to break the kidney stone and then the small pieces that break off allowing them to pass through the UT.
Urolithiasis is the process of forming stones in the kidney, bladder, and/or urinary tract.1 1,200 to 1,400 per 100,000 people will develop a urinary stone each year. Urinary stones are formed when there is a decrease in urine volume or an excess of stone forming substances are present. The use of diagnostic imaging plays a vital role in the diagnostic and treatment processes of a stone in the urinary track. This paper will discuss the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Urolithiasis.
Opium, the first opioid, is derived from the sap of opium poppies, whose growth and cultivation dates back to the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia around 3400 BC. Egyptians and Persians initially used opium. Eventually spreading to various parts of Europe, India, China, and the Middle East. During the 18th century, physicians in the U.S. used opium as a therapeutic agent for multiple purposes, including relieving pain in cancer, spasms from tetanus, and pain attendant to menstruation and childbirth. It was merely towards the end of the 18th century that some physicians came to recognize the addictive quality of opium.
Healthy kidneys clean the blood by filtering out extra water and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and blood healthy. When both of your kidneys fail, your body holds fluid. Your blood pressure rises. Harmful wastes build up in your body. Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells. When this happens, you need treatment to replace the work of your failed kidneys.
Cystoscopy. Use to remove a small sample of tissue (biopsy) for analysis in the lab. This test most likely won’t be needed if this is the first time patient had signs or symptoms of cystitis.
Kidney Function Introduction and definition of terms: The kidneys are the main organs in the urinary system. They filter waste products out of blood from the renal artery. These are then excreted. Useful solutes are reabsorbed into the blood. They also have a major homeostatic role in the body, and help to control the water content (osmoregulation) and pH of the blood.
Furthermore, they are involved in the reabsorption of nutrients in the bloodstream and they can regulate the acidity of the blood. Besides the regulation of the fluids and ions, the kidneys are also responsible for the regulation of many different hormones that are involved in homeostasis and metabolism. Because of their importance in the regulation of substances in the body, when the kidneys stop working properly all the body is influenced by that creating disequilibrium in the maintenance of homeostasis and control of all the metabolic functions which can indirectly cause other problems to the body.... ... middle of paper ... ...
“Donating blood is safe and easy, and takes less than an hour and one blood donation can help as many as three or four different people! In what other activity, can so little time do so much” ("Feel Prepared. Give Blood." ). Just think, if no one gave blood then how many people would still be living who really needed it? Despite all our medical advances, there is no good man-made substitute for human blood; this is why blood donations are so important. Some people strongly believe that donating blood is bad, but what people don’t know is that it actually has surprisingly good benefits like reducing the risk of cancer, burning calories, and even saving someone’s life, so everyone who has the opportunity to give
Chronic Kidney Disease. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2014. Web. 20 May 2014.