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The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the back of your abdomen. There is a kidney on each side of your spine, just below your ribs.
Did you know the following? Many people can lead a healthy life with just one kidney.
The kidneys are important parts of the urinary tract. Its function is:
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Purify your blood
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Remove waste and excess water leaving your body in the form of urine
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Maintain a proper acid-base balance (pH) in your blood
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Balance the electrolytes in your body
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Help control blood pressure
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals, including sodium and potassium, that support the function of the muscular and nervous systems.
The kidneys also produce hormones that are helpful to your body:
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Generate red blood cells
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Absorbs calcium and strengthens bones
Some common medical conditions that can affect your kidneys include:
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Chronic kidney failure (CKD)
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Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
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Kidney cancer (renal carcinoma)
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Kidney failure
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Infections
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cysts
Kidney stones can sometimes affect your kidneys if they block the flow of urine or cause infections, especially if they occur frequently.
Did you know the following? Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when salt and minerals such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and uric acid clump together in urine.
There are 4 types of kidney stones:
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Calcium stones
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Uric acid stones
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Struvite calculations
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Cystine calculations
Kidney stones can occur for many reasons, but in rare cases they can be the first sign of a genetic disorder called primary hyperoxaluria.
People with primary hyperoxaluria:
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You are born with this disorder (primary)
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You produce too much oxalate (hyperoxaluria)
Your kidneys remove oxalate (a waste product) from the body. The excess oxalate can combine with calcium and form calcium oxalate crystals, which in turn can lead to kidney stones.
Get your kidney stones tested
If your body passes a stone or you have one removed, a test may be helpful for your doctor to identify the type of stone, determine the reason it formed, and learn how to reduce your risk of stones in the future.
This educational resource was created with support from Alnylam.
