Acute Kidney Disease

A normal human being has two fist-size, bean-shaped kidneys. The kidneys are found on either side of the spine and just below the lower ribs. The main function of the kidneys is filtration of by-products and toxic substances as well as maintaining the balance of body fluids. First you need to understand how kidneys function and then look at the impairments that lead to kidney failure.

The kidney uses water to excrete harmful substances in the form of urine. They also remove excess water from the body and at the same time re-absorb useful chemicals while they let toxic substances to pass freely to the bladder in what we see as urine. This way, the kidneys allow people to take in different foods, drugs, additives and fluids without worrying so much that the toxic levels of these substances will peak to dangerous levels. The kidneys are also responsible for the regulation of various chemicals in the body and also the amount of water in the body.

For effective filtration, the blood must circulate through the kidneys.

The process of filtration

The blood passes through the glomeruli, which are complex structures consisting of tiny blood cells entwined together. Useful substances which are in the blood are absorbed, selectively filtered and reabsorbed in the glomeruli for further filtration while the harmful substances plus waste materials are excreted with water as urine.

Acute kidney failure, also called renal failure, occurs when the kidney cannot perform effectively all the roles described above. Kidney failure leads to the build up of toxic substances in the body which can cause dangerous health problems. The difference between acute and chronic condition is that acute kidney disorder happens more rapidly.

One of the leading side effects that are associated with this disease is the tendency of the patients to suffer dehydration. Dehydration can be defined as the condition in which the loss of body fluids, especially water, is more than the amount that is taken in. When dehydration happens, it means more water is getting out of the body at a rate that is higher than it can be replaced.

The body loses water through sweat, when we exhale, in urine and also in our stool. Salts and other toxic wastes are also lost in the process. When our bodies lose too much water, they become dehydrated. Severe dehydration is dangerous and may lead to death if not attended immediately.

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