How to understand our kidneys scientifically?

Author: Chen Zhou Shanghai Changhai Hospital

Reviewer: Mei Xiaobin, Chief Physician, Shanghai Changhai Hospital

Did you know? Our kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body. They silently do a lot of work for us every day. However, many people don't know much about kidneys, and even ignore the health of kidneys. We should know our kidneys scientifically, learn to protect our kidneys, and take better care of ourselves.

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Do you know what functions the kidneys have?

The kidneys are a pair of reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs located on either side of our waist, each about the size of a fist. The main function of the kidneys is to filter our blood, removing excess water, salts, electrolytes and waste from it to form urine. Urine flows through the ureters to the bladder and then out of the body through the urethra.

In addition to producing urine, the kidneys have many other important functions.

1. Regulating our body's water balance : When we consume too much or too little water, the kidneys will increase or decrease the amount and concentration of urine accordingly to maintain a constant level of fluid in our body.

2. Regulate our blood pressure : The kidneys can secrete a hormone called renin, which can affect the contraction and expansion of blood vessels, thereby regulating blood pressure. The kidneys can also affect blood pressure by regulating the excretion of water and salt.

3. Regulate our acid-base balance : The kidneys can maintain the normal pH of our blood and body fluids by excreting or retaining some acidic or alkaline substances.

4. Secrete some important hormones : The kidneys can secrete a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which can stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to various organs and tissues. The kidneys can also secrete a substance called active vitamin D, which can help us absorb calcium and phosphorus, thereby maintaining the health of bones and teeth.

As you can see, kidneys are very complex and sophisticated organs in our body and they are vital to our health.

Do you know what problems will occur if your kidneys are sick?

Because kidneys have many important functions, when they have problems, it can lead to many serious consequences. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 850 million people worldwide suffer from varying degrees of kidney disease or dysfunction. The most common and dangerous kidney problems are as follows.

1. Chronic kidney disease : This is a disease in which kidney function gradually declines, usually due to high blood pressure, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, etc. Chronic kidney disease causes the kidneys to be unable to effectively filter the blood, resulting in the accumulation of water, salt, electrolytes and waste, as well as a decrease in erythropoietin and active vitamin D. These changes can cause many complications, such as edema, anemia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, etc. The final stage of chronic kidney disease is kidney failure, at which time dialysis or transplantation is required to maintain life.

2. Kidney stones : These are hard masses formed due to excessive amounts of certain substances in the urine (such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid, etc.). They can get stuck in the kidneys, ureters, or bladder, causing severe pain and bleeding. The formation of kidney stones may be related to genetics, diet, water intake, infection, and other factors. Most kidney stones can be passed naturally or treated with medication, but sometimes surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is required to remove them.

3. Urinary tract infection : This is an infection caused by bacteria or other microorganisms invading the urethra, bladder or kidneys. Common symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, pain, cloudy or bloody urine, etc. Urinary tract infection can be cured with antibiotics, but if not treated in time, it may lead to pyelonephritis, an infection of the kidneys, which is a more serious condition that may cause fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, etc.

4. Renal failure : This is a state in which the kidneys completely or almost completely lose their function, usually due to the progression of chronic kidney disease or certain acute factors (such as trauma, poisoning, ischemia, etc.). Renal failure can lead to the accumulation of various toxins and wastes in the body, as well as an imbalance of water and electrolytes, which can be life-threatening. Renal failure requires dialysis or transplantation to maintain life.

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How to protect our kidneys?

So, how can we prevent these kidney problems? In fact, there are some simple and effective ways to help us protect our kidneys, such as:

1. Drink more water : Water is one of the most important components of our body. It helps us excrete excess salt and waste, as well as prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Generally speaking, we should drink at least eight glasses of water (about 2 liters) a day, but the specific amount should be adjusted according to our physical condition and activity level. If we sweat a lot or are sick, we need to drink more water. We can judge whether we have drunk enough water by observing the color of urine. If the urine is light yellow or colorless, it means that the water intake is sufficient; if the urine is dark yellow or brown, it means that the water intake is insufficient.

2. Balanced diet : Diet also has a great impact on our kidneys, so we should pay attention to eating some foods that are good for the kidneys, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish, beans, etc. These foods can provide the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and proteins needed by the human body, and can also help the body control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. On the other hand, we should avoid or reduce the consumption of some foods that are harmful to the kidneys, such as high-salt, high-sugar, high-fat, high-purine, processed or fried foods, etc. These foods will increase the burden on the kidneys, leading to the accumulation of water and waste, as well as the occurrence of problems such as kidney stones and diabetes.

3. Exercise in moderation : Exercise is one of the important ways to maintain good health. It can help us enhance cardiopulmonary function, promote blood circulation, lower blood pressure, control weight, and reduce stress. These are all good for our kidney health. However, exercise should also be moderate. Excessive or strong exercise may cause muscle damage, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, etc., which can damage the kidneys. Therefore, we should choose the appropriate exercise method and intensity according to our physical condition and exercise habits, and pay attention to replenishing water and nutrition before and after exercise.

4. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Both smoking and drinking are harmful to the kidneys. They increase oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis in the kidneys, thus accelerating the decline of kidney function. Smoking can also cause vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and blood viscosity, which can affect the blood supply and filtering capacity of the kidneys. Drinking alcohol can lead to increased uric acid, calcium loss, and electrolyte disorders, which can increase the risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis. Therefore, in order to protect our kidneys, we should try to quit smoking or reduce smoking, and limit alcohol intake or avoid drinking.

5. Regular check-ups : Some kidney problems have no obvious symptoms, so we may not know that there is something wrong with our kidneys until the problem becomes serious. In order to detect and treat kidney problems in a timely manner, we should regularly perform some simple tests, such as urine routine, blood routine, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), etc. These tests can help us understand kidney function and health, and whether there are potential risk factors. If there are any abnormal results or discomfort, we should consult a doctor in time and follow the doctor's advice for treatment or adjustment.

From the above introduction, we can see that kidneys are very important organs in the body. Of course, kidneys are also very fragile and are easily affected and damaged by various factors. Therefore, we must learn to protect our kidneys, have healthy kidneys, and live a happy life!