Kidney failure

The kidneys are a very wonderful organ that performs many, very complex and important functions in the human body. Without the kidneys, a person cannot live.hhh
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine.hhh

Each of your kidneys is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule.hhh
 
 The nephrons work through a two-step process: the glomerulus filters your blood, and the tubule returns needed substances to your blood and removes wastes.hhh
The glomerulus filters your bloodhhh
As blood flows into each nephron, it enters a cluster of tiny blood vessels—the glomerulus. The thin walls of the glomerulus allow smaller molecules, wastes, and fluid—mostly water—to pass into the tubule. Larger molecules, such as proteins and blood cells, stay in the blood vessel.hhh
The tubule returns needed substances to your blood and removes wastes
A blood vessel runs alongside the tubule. As the filtered fluid moves along the tubule, the blood vessel reabsorbs almost all of the water, along with minerals and nutrients your body needs. The tubule helps remove excess acid from the blood. The remaining fluid and wastes in the tubule become urine. hhh
 
Healthy kidneys filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make urine. The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of muscle called ureters, one on each side of your bladder. Your bladder stores urine. Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder are part of your urinary tract.hhh
 
 
Your kidneys also remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals—such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—in your blood.hhh
Without this balance, nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not work normally.
Your kidneys also make hormones that help control your blood pressure, make red blood cells, keep your bones strong and healthy.hhh
 

What causes kidney failure?hhh

In most cases, kidney failure is caused by other health problems that have done permanent damage (harm) to your kidneys little by little, over time.hhh
When your kidneys are damaged, they may not work as well as they should. If the damage to your kidneys continues to get worse and your kidneys are less and less able to do their job, you have chronic kidney disease. Kidney failure is the last (most severe) stage of chronic kidney disease. This is why kidney failure is also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Diabetes is the most common cause of ESRD.hhh
High blood pressure is the second most common cause of ESRD. hhh

Other problems that can cause kidney failure include:hhh

Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and IgA nephropathy
Genetic diseases (diseases you are born with), such as polycystic kidney disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Urinary tract problems
Sometimes the kidneys can stop working very suddenly (within two days). This type of kidney failure is called acute kidney injury or acute renal failure. Common causes of acute renal failure include Heart attack, Illegal drug use, and drug abuse, Not enough blood flowing to the kidneys, Urinary tract problems.

This type of kidney failure is not always permanent. Your kidneys may go back to normal or almost normal with treatment and if you do not have other serious health problems.
Having one of the health problems that can lead to kidney failure does not mean that you will definitely have kidney failure. hhh

 the symptoms of kidney failure

You may notice one or more of the following symptoms if your kidneys are beginning to fail:
Itching, muscle cramps, nausea, and vomiting, Not feeling hungry, Swelling in your feet and ankles, Too much urine (pee) or not enough urine, Trouble catching your breath, Trouble sleeping.hhh

If your kidneys stop working suddenly (acute kidney failure), you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: Abdominal (belly) pain, Back pain, Diarrhea, Fever, Nosebleeds, Rash, Vomiting.hhh

Having one or more of any of the symptoms above may be a sign of serious kidney problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away.hhh
the treatment options for kidney failure
If you have kidney failure (end-stage renal disease or ESRD), you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. There is no cure for ESRD, but many people live long lives while on dialysis or after having a kidney transplant.hhh

Living a healthy lifestyle and working with your doctor to control these health problems can help your kidneys work for as long as possible.

written by/ Manar Ahmed

 References

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/urinary-tract-infections-utis/overview-of-urinary-tract-infections-utis
https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/#:~:text=Kidney%20failure%2C%20also%20called%20end,dialysis%20or%20a%20kidney%20transplant.