Most people have two kidneys and despite their relatively small size, they receive approximately 20 per cent of the blood leaving the heart.
They’re bean-shaped organs, the size of a fist, weighing about 150g. They’re located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. The right kidney sits just below the diaphragm and behind the liver; the left below the diaphragm behind the spleen, and is slightly larger.
Each kidney has a million tiny filters, called glomeruli. They filter about 200 litres of blood per day, sifting out about two litres of waste products (including excess salt) and extra water.
The wastes and extra water that’s left becomes urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until releasing it during urination, and the cleansed blood returns to the heart and recirculates through the body.
In women, fluid content stays at about 55 per cent of total weight, in men about 60 per cent. The kidneys maintain these proportions by balancing the amount of fluid that leaves the body against the amount entering.
Blood pressure is closely related to water balance; the more water there is in the body, the higher the blood pressure.
Fluid comes into our bodies from what we drink, and from high-liquid foods such as soup. If we drink a lot, healthy kidneys remove the excess fluid and we pass more urine. If we don't drink enough, or it‘s a hot drink, the kidneys retain fluid and we don't pass much urine.
When kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid; leading to ankle swelling and shortness of breath (water in the lungs). Lack of EPO causes tiredness due to anaemia and lack of active Vitamin D causes bone pain, and occasionally fractures.
They’re bean-shaped organs, the size of a fist, weighing about 150g. They’re located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. The right kidney sits just below the diaphragm and behind the liver; the left below the diaphragm behind the spleen, and is slightly larger.
What do your kidneys do?
Healthy kidneys clean your blood and make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy.Each kidney has a million tiny filters, called glomeruli. They filter about 200 litres of blood per day, sifting out about two litres of waste products (including excess salt) and extra water.
The wastes and extra water that’s left becomes urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until releasing it during urination, and the cleansed blood returns to the heart and recirculates through the body.
Fluid balance
By removing just the right amount of excess fluid, healthy kidneys maintain what is called the body's fluid balance, meaning the correct amount of water stays in the body.In women, fluid content stays at about 55 per cent of total weight, in men about 60 per cent. The kidneys maintain these proportions by balancing the amount of fluid that leaves the body against the amount entering.
Blood pressure is closely related to water balance; the more water there is in the body, the higher the blood pressure.
Fluid comes into our bodies from what we drink, and from high-liquid foods such as soup. If we drink a lot, healthy kidneys remove the excess fluid and we pass more urine. If we don't drink enough, or it‘s a hot drink, the kidneys retain fluid and we don't pass much urine.
Other functions of the kidney
Healthy kidneys also produce a range of hormones, including:- Erythropoeitin (EPO), which is carried in the blood to the bone marrow where it stimulates the production of red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen throughout the body.
- Renin and angiotensin, that regulate how much salt and fluid the body keeps, and how well the blood vessels can expand and contract. This, in turn, helps control blood pressure (as well as the effects of the kidney on fluid balance).
- Clacitriol (Vitamin D) is activated by the kidneys and controls the amount of phosphate and calcium in the bones and blood.
When kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid; leading to ankle swelling and shortness of breath (water in the lungs). Lack of EPO causes tiredness due to anaemia and lack of active Vitamin D causes bone pain, and occasionally fractures.
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