





























See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
What are the kidneys?
- The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in our body's renal system.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Kidney function
- The kidneys perform a vital function by ridding waste products and excess fluids from the body.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
How they work
- They remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Maintaining a healthy balance
- Without this balance, nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not work normally.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Promoting a healthy body
- The kidneys also produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Hormone release
- In addition, they release hormones that regulate blood pressure, and they control the production of red blood cells.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Bloodwork
- And did you know that these useful little organs filter 200 liters (53 gallons) of blood a day?
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Where are the kidneys?
- There are two kidneys, each about the size of a fist, located on either side of the spine at the lowest level of the rib cage.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
How kidneys are nourished
- They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood exits into the paired renal veins. Each kidney is attached to a ureter, a tube that carries excreted urine to the bladder.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Removal of fluids
- Waste products and excess fluids are removed through the urine.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
How to maintain healthy kidneys
- Needless to say, looking after the kidneys is essential for maintaining overall health. So, how is this best done?
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Make healthy food choices
- Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your entire body, things like fresh fruits and vegetables.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Whole grain high-fiber foods
- Similarly, whole grain high-fiber superfoods are ideal for maintaining overall health.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Less salt and sugar
- Cut back on salt and added sugars. In fact, cook with a mix of spices instead of salt, and aim to have less than 10% of your daily calories come from added sugars.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Limit alcohol intake
- Drinking too much alcohol can hike up blood pressure and pile on calories. Imbibe in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for men, and one drink or less in a day for women.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Weigh up the issue
- Aim for a healthy weight based on your height and BMI (body mass index).
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Get enough sleep
- For optimum function, the human body requires seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, seek out ways to improve your sleep habits.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Get physical
- It goes without saying that physical activity provides a huge boost to overall health. Try and be active and break a sweat for at least 30 minutes on most days.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Underlying health issues
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can all contribute towards kidney damage. According to your condition, keep within safe parameters. For example, the ideal blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mmHg.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Back pain, or something else?
- A nagging pain in your middle to upper back, your sides or both, might be an indication of an impending kidney problem.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Beware of blood in urine
- Blood in the urine is indicative of a potentially serious problem and should never be ignored: blood in urine that can be seen with the naked eye may even be a sign of advanced kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Kidney stones
- Kidney stones are one of the most common kidney problems. It's also an extremely painful condition.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Kidney disease
- According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF), 37 million Americans have kidney disease. In fact, it is so prevalent that it's the ninth leading cause of death in the United States.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Fastest-growing noncommunicable disease
- To put that statistic into perspective, kidney disease is the fastest-growing noncommunicable disease (i.e. not spread through infection or through other people) in the United States.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Kidney transplant statistics
- Approximately 240,000 Americans are living with a kidney transplant. But the shortage of available donor kidneys means that the vast majority of people who develop kidney failure are treated with dialysis.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Dialysis option
- Currently, notes the AKF, nearly 570,000 Americans are on dialysis. And there's something like 92,000 Americans on the kidney transplant waiting list.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Simple blood test
- Though early onset kidney disease displays no signs or symptoms, simple blood and urine tests can tell how well your kidneys are working.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Kidney disease is treatable
- Kidney disease is not reversible, but it is treatable. However, the aforementioned lifestyle changes remain the frontline defense against the condition.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Fight against kidney disease
- Many organizations have websites devoted to educating and empowering those impacted by kidney disease. Online groups and forums also exist offering advice and support networks. Sources: (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) (Diabetes UK) (AKF) (DaVita) See also: Tips to live a long and healthy life
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
What are the kidneys?
- The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in our body's renal system.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Kidney function
- The kidneys perform a vital function by ridding waste products and excess fluids from the body.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
How they work
- They remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Maintaining a healthy balance
- Without this balance, nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not work normally.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Promoting a healthy body
- The kidneys also produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Hormone release
- In addition, they release hormones that regulate blood pressure, and they control the production of red blood cells.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Bloodwork
- And did you know that these useful little organs filter 200 liters (53 gallons) of blood a day?
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Where are the kidneys?
- There are two kidneys, each about the size of a fist, located on either side of the spine at the lowest level of the rib cage.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
How kidneys are nourished
- They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood exits into the paired renal veins. Each kidney is attached to a ureter, a tube that carries excreted urine to the bladder.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Removal of fluids
- Waste products and excess fluids are removed through the urine.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
How to maintain healthy kidneys
- Needless to say, looking after the kidneys is essential for maintaining overall health. So, how is this best done?
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Make healthy food choices
- Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your entire body, things like fresh fruits and vegetables.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Whole grain high-fiber foods
- Similarly, whole grain high-fiber superfoods are ideal for maintaining overall health.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Less salt and sugar
- Cut back on salt and added sugars. In fact, cook with a mix of spices instead of salt, and aim to have less than 10% of your daily calories come from added sugars.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Limit alcohol intake
- Drinking too much alcohol can hike up blood pressure and pile on calories. Imbibe in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for men, and one drink or less in a day for women.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Weigh up the issue
- Aim for a healthy weight based on your height and BMI (body mass index).
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Get enough sleep
- For optimum function, the human body requires seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, seek out ways to improve your sleep habits.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Get physical
- It goes without saying that physical activity provides a huge boost to overall health. Try and be active and break a sweat for at least 30 minutes on most days.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Underlying health issues
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can all contribute towards kidney damage. According to your condition, keep within safe parameters. For example, the ideal blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mmHg.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Back pain, or something else?
- A nagging pain in your middle to upper back, your sides or both, might be an indication of an impending kidney problem.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Beware of blood in urine
- Blood in the urine is indicative of a potentially serious problem and should never be ignored: blood in urine that can be seen with the naked eye may even be a sign of advanced kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Kidney stones
- Kidney stones are one of the most common kidney problems. It's also an extremely painful condition.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Kidney disease
- According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF), 37 million Americans have kidney disease. In fact, it is so prevalent that it's the ninth leading cause of death in the United States.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Fastest-growing noncommunicable disease
- To put that statistic into perspective, kidney disease is the fastest-growing noncommunicable disease (i.e. not spread through infection or through other people) in the United States.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Kidney transplant statistics
- Approximately 240,000 Americans are living with a kidney transplant. But the shortage of available donor kidneys means that the vast majority of people who develop kidney failure are treated with dialysis.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Dialysis option
- Currently, notes the AKF, nearly 570,000 Americans are on dialysis. And there's something like 92,000 Americans on the kidney transplant waiting list.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Simple blood test
- Though early onset kidney disease displays no signs or symptoms, simple blood and urine tests can tell how well your kidneys are working.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Kidney disease is treatable
- Kidney disease is not reversible, but it is treatable. However, the aforementioned lifestyle changes remain the frontline defense against the condition.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Fight against kidney disease
- Many organizations have websites devoted to educating and empowering those impacted by kidney disease. Online groups and forums also exist offering advice and support networks. Sources: (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) (Diabetes UK) (AKF) (DaVita) See also: Tips to live a long and healthy life
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Are you taking care of your kidneys?
Find out how to take care of your kidneys and what the biggest risks are
© <p>Shutterstock </p>
The kidneys perform a vital job in keeping our bodies functioning. Among other critical duties, these bean-shaped organs remove waste and excess fluid from the blood. Maintaining healthy kidneys depends a lot on good lifestyle choices. But despite this simple advice, millions of people suffer from chronic kidney disease, with many ending up on dialysis or even requiring a kidney transplant. So, are you taking care of your kidneys?
Click through and find out more about what the kidneys do, and how to look after them.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU




































MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week