Have you ever wondered what happens to the liquid we drink, be it water, tea, or any other liquid? We wake up in the morning, eat tea, eat lunch, do a lot of work, but we hardly think about what is happening inside those fluids. At that time, our kidneys are working. Yes, the kidneys—two tiny little organs, but a mountain of responsibility. You might be surprised, it is busy cleaning about 180 liters of blood in our body every day, as well as eliminating toxins, unnecessary water and various harmful substances in the form of urine.
A relative of mine was suffering from kidney problems, although he is fine now, but he was once a victim of money, time, and various unusual circumstances. So that this does not happen to you, today I will discuss a part of the urinary system whose contribution we cannot forget, even if we want to. Let’s begin…
What is the Kidney?
In short, the kidney is the filter of our body. They are about the size of a fist, but powerful limbs. We may think that the big organs like the heart or the liver work more, but we must not forget our kidneys as well because they remove numerous harmful substances from our blood, excess and unnecessary water and salt from the body every day. Think about how much this little organ is helping our body.
Structure / Anatomy
Kidneys look like reddish brown beans. There are thousands of small nephrons inside. They are like little factories that clean our blood day by day, mixing water and salt. A close friend of mine once said, “Without kidneys, we wouldn’t last a week.” I was really surprised to hear that.
Location
The two kidneys are located on either side of our waist, in the upper back. Just in the place where it is covered by the back muscles. So, no matter how you sit or sleep, the kidneys continue to work secretly.
Function
You might be surprised to hear about the functions of the kidneys. Some of the major tasks are:
- Removal of excess water and salt from the body
- Eliminate toxins from the blood
- Making the hormone erythropoietin, which helps in the production of red blood cells
- Helps control blood pressure
- Activation of vitamin D in the body, which keeps bones strong
Interestingly, we naturally have two kidneys, yet we can survive with just one kidney.
How It Works
If you drink a glass of water in the morning, water enters your blood. Blood reaches the kidneys.
Kidney:
- Keeps something essential
- Sends back to the blood
- Excretes what is not needed in the urine
A real-life example: Suppose we drink a glass of lemon water on a hot afternoon. Kidneys flush out that excess water and toxins, keeping our bodies light.
Common Diseases & Disorders
Taking care of the kidneys reduces the problem, but many types of problems can occur:
- Kidney stones
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Urinary infection
- High blood pressure-related kidney problems
- Renal failure
Remember one thing – when we eat excess salt, oily food, late dinner, it stresses the kidneys.
Symptoms of Unhealthy Kidneys
- Tired easily
- Pain in the back or upper back
- Problems or color changes in urine
- Swelling of the feet
- Gas or nausea
Causes & Risk Factors
- Excessive salt and oily food, eating and eating late at night
- Drinking too much alcohol or taking too many drugs
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
- Genetic factors
- Viral infections
How to Keep it Healthy Naturally
- Drink warm water or lemon water in the morning
- At least 30 minutes of light walking every day
- Avoid foods high in salt or oil, as they also put stress on organs other than the kidneys
- Drink less salt and plenty of water
- Adequate consumption of vegetables and fruits
- Adequate sleep and rest
Things to Know
- What is kidney pain?
Direct pain is rare, but there may be pressure or discomfort in the upper back or waist.
- How much of a problem are kidney stones?
Small stones are usually not a problem, but large ones can cause pain and urination problems, so treatment is necessary even if the stone is small.
- Can the kidney rebuild itself?
Moderate damage, yes but chronic or long-term damage does not self-correct.
- Which foods are good for the kidneys?
It is beneficial to eat more apples, watermelons, oranges, bananas and vegetables.
- What is the problem of not drinking enough water?
Yes, kidney stones and infection can occur.
Conclusion
The kidney is a major part of our body’s urinary system but we often don’t know the value of its function. The small organ cleans our blood, maintains water-salt balance, produces hormones and preserves life. So, a little care and awareness can save us from major problems. Learn from an incident you know.
Think today, “Have I done anything for the kidneys today?” If not, start today. Your body will thank you.
Caution: This information is shared for general awareness and educational purposes. Everyone’s body is different, so if you have ongoing concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional. Use this information mindfully.
