Have you ever wondered how your body keeps itself clean on the inside? Just as we wash our bodies to remove dirt and grime, our bodies also have a built-in cleaning system to filter out waste and excess substances.
This incredible task is performed by our kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located towards the lower back on either side of the spine. Let’s take a closer look at how our kidneys work and discuss where you can go to see kidney specialists for the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of your kidney diseases.
What Are Kidneys?
Kidneys are vital organs in our body, each roughly the size of a fist. They are a part of our urinary system. Each kidney is composed of about a million tiny units called nephrons.
A nephron comprises two main parts: the glomerulus and the tubule. The glomerulus is a network of tiny blood vessels where blood filtration begins. The filtered blood then moves into the tubule, further filtering the blood and adjusting the balance of water and salts.
How Do Kidneys Filter Blood?
The process of blood filtration in the kidneys is a marvel of nature. Here’s how it works:
Filtration
Blood enters the kidneys through the renal arteries. Each day, our kidneys filter about 200 quarts of blood to produce approximately 1 to 2 quarts of urine. The remaining 198 quarts of fluid are reused by the body.
The filtration of blood happens in the glomerulus. The walls of the glomerular blood vessels are porous, allowing smaller molecules, wastes, and fluid—mostly water—to pass into the tubule.
Reabsorption
As the filtered fluid travels along the tubule, your kidneys reabsorb what your body needs—like glucose, amino acids, and certain ions—and leave behind what it doesn’t, such as excess salts, urea, and other wastes.
Secretion
In the final part of the tubule, additional unwanted substances are added to the waste collection for disposal.
Excretion
The final product of this filtration process is urine, which travels from the kidneys to the bladder through two tubes called ureters. The bladder stores the urine until it’s eliminated from the body through the urethra.
Other Functions of Kidneys
While filtration is a key function of the kidneys, these organs are multitaskers. Here are some other critical roles they play:
Water Level Balancing
One of the essential roles that kidneys play in our bodies involves balancing water levels. The kidneys have an extraordinary ability to adjust to the body’s hydration needs.
When we consume a lot of water, the kidneys dilute the urine to get rid of the excess. Conversely, when our bodies are dehydrated—due to sweating from exercise or high temperatures, for instance—the kidneys conserve water by concentrating the urine.
This concentration process happens in a part of the kidney called the Loop of Henle. Here, water is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream to prevent dehydration.
Regulation of Blood Pressure
Another critical function of the kidneys is blood pressure regulation. Kidneys achieve this in two ways: by controlling the volume of blood and by releasing an enzyme called renin.
The balance of water and salts (sodium and potassium, for example) maintained by the kidneys directly affects the blood volume in our bodies. Higher volumes of blood can lead to increased blood pressure, while lower volumes can cause lower blood pressure.
By adjusting the amount of water and salts excreted in the urine, kidneys can control blood volume and blood pressure.
The kidneys also release an enzyme called renin when they detect low blood pressure. Renin initiates a cascade of reactions, producing a hormone called angiotensin II. This hormone causes blood vessels to constrict, thereby increasing blood pressure.
Red Blood Cell Regulation
Kidneys are also responsible for regulating the production of red blood cells. They do this through the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). When the kidneys sense low oxygen levels in the blood—a condition that could arise if there aren’t enough red blood cells to carry oxygen—they release EPO.
EPO then travels to the bone marrow, stimulating it to produce more red blood cells. These new cells increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, thereby bringing oxygen levels back to normal.
Acid Regulation
Maintaining the pH balance of our blood is another crucial function of the kidneys. Our bodies perform numerous chemical reactions every day, many of which produce hydrogen ions. If these ions were allowed to accumulate, our blood would become too acidic.
To prevent this, the kidneys excrete excess hydrogen ions in the urine. At the same time, they conserve bicarbonate ions—a base that can neutralize acid—in the blood. This dual action allows the kidneys to regulate the acidity of our blood, keeping it within a narrow, healthy range.
Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy
Given their importance, it’s crucial to keep our kidneys healthy. Here are a few tips:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys clear sodium, urea, and toxins from your body.
- Eat healthily: A balanced diet low in salt, sugar, and processed foods supports overall health, including kidney health.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy blood pressure level, which is essential for kidney health.
- Avoid overusing over-the-counter drugs: Regular use of certain pain relievers can damage the kidneys.
- Get regular check-ups: Regular health screenings offered by a kidney specialist can detect kidney disorders early.
Kidney Specialist in Abington, MA
At Associates in Nephrology, we understand the importance of maintaining kidney health and treating conditions that can affect their function.
Our team of board-certified kidney specialists has the specialized training and experience needed to diagnose and treat a full spectrum of kidney diseases and related conditions. Whether you’re dealing with chronic kidney disease, electrolyte disorders, hypertension, or looking for care during end-stage kidney disease, our kidney specialists are here to provide high-quality care.
To learn more about us or to schedule a consultation with one of our kidney specialists, call us today at (508) 587-0700 or use our easy-to-fill online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
