Kidney: Amazing organ

Kidney: Amazing organ
Category » Editorial Posted On Friday, March 13, 2009

Kidney is an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and healthy. Most of us do not know much about this organ and its function, hence do not take proper measures for its protection.
There are two kidneys in the human body located deeply in the lower abdomen, protected by the 12th ribs from the back. Kidneys are bean shaped sized between 9 to 12 cm in length, 4 to 7 cm in width and 3 cm in thickness, weight between 125 to 170 gms. One in thousand people is born with only one kidney and lives a good, normal and full life. Kidney donors and recipients also live a healthy life on only one kidney.
Function
Kidneys work as filtration plant of our body. The functional unit of the kidney is known as Nephron in medical terms and as filter in layman terms. The small Nephron consists of super microfine holes, which are 10 lakh in numbers. Filtration of lood is a continuous process in our body and very day kidneys filter between 180 to 225 ltr of blood and remove toxins, unwanted materials and excess water from blood; kidneys produce red blood cells and regulate our blood pressure, hormones secretion, glucose level, electrolytes etc.
Kidney diseases
There are a lot of kidney diseases, such as stone, glometulonephritis Nephrithis, Pylonephritis, Polycysic kidney diseases, kidney failure and many more. Except chronic kidney diseases, all other types of kidney diseases are curable, if treated timely and properly.
Kidney failure in is mainly of two types - one is acute kidney failure and second is chronic kidney failure. Acute kidney failure means sudden stoppage of kidney function due to various reasons, mainly includes, acute heart failure ()LVF), Haemorrhage, blockage in renal artery, severe diarrhoea and vomiting, infection consumption of poison, insecticides etc. timely and proper treatment can cure ARF completely. Sometimes few dialysis are also required for treatment of this condition.
Chronic kidney failure, although not curable, but with proper treatment, progress of this disease can be slowed down. The main reason for this disease are hypertension, diabetes, uncured Nephritis, kidney injury, regular consumption of painkillers, antibodies , heavy metal base Ayurvedic medicines, blockage in renal artery etc 20% of hypertensives and 33% of diabetic patients are at a risk of CRF, people with both uncontrolled BP and sugar are at an extremely high risk.
Symptoms of disease
Although there are a number of symptoms of chronic kidney failure but in the absence of reflection in early stage, the disease is overlooked and generally diagnosed after much damage may be more than 40-50%. In case of detection in the initial stages, progress can be halted or delayed with treatment and dietary control. Various symptoms of CRF are as under:
1. swelling on the face, feet and body.
2. pain in lower abdomen, back and sides.
3. headache, nausea, vomiting, hiccups, reduced appetite, weakness, repeated attacks of hypoglucemia, change in vision etc.
4. fluctuating blood pressure.
5. presence of proteins or blood in urine.
6. frequent urination at night.
7. urine output in 24 hrs is less than 500 ml.
8. lack of control on urine while laughing, coughing, running or weightlifting.
9. dark, concentrated or milky coloured urine.
Treatment of disease
Acute kidney failure and other diseases are curable, but in case of chronic kidney failure, treatment with medication and strict dietary control till end stage ie failure of kidneys up to the level of 85-90% is possible. After this stage, the patient has to live on regular dialysis and finally transplant. Non-availability of kidney, very high cost of transplantation and post operative life long costly treatment are out of reach of the common man.
Presently there are about 5.6 lakh patients requiring transplant. In India every year about 1,50,000 new patients are due for transplant. In developed countries, 80% patients survive on dialysis or transplant, but in India 70% die without taking proper treatment and just 3% are able to op for proper treatment. It is really shameful for the Govt which is all the time praising for high economic growth, but fail to provide affordable treatment of disease like cancer, and organ failure.
Prevention
The phrase `Prevention is better than cure' is fully applicable for this deadly disease. With some precautions and measures, we can prevent our kidney from this disease.
1. strict control on BP and sugar.
2. dietary control as prescribed
3. avoid smoking and alcohol
4. regular physical exercise, walking and yoga.
5. avoid pain killers, heavy metal base ayurvedic drugs, self medication, treatment given by unqualified so-called doctors.
6. diabetes, high BP and Nephritis patients should do a six-monthly kidney check-up, urine proteins. Ultrasound and they should be in touch with Nephrologist.
7. six monthly check up for retinopathy.
8. persons having stone forming tendency should take plenty of water.
9. remember, early detection and proper treatment can slow down or even halt chronic kidney disease.
Considering large number of kidney failure patients, kidney donation & Cadaver transplant is become need of the hour. Just the way we try to reason everything happening in our lives, why not try to find a reason behind God gifting us with two kidneys? The fact is that we can lead a complete and normal life with one kidney only.
`Do not take your organs to heaven, as they are needed here to save lives of others'
Anil K Rathi, Kidney foundation, 52, Ambazari Hilltop, Nagpur-33. Ph. 0 93702 48686

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