by Leonard Konis

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 18, 2008

The National Kidney Foundation estimates 20 million Americans (one in nine adults) suffer from kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, other disorders and kidney failure. 15 In the United States, ninth leading cause of death is kidney disease. 6

Two kidneys in the human body filter blood and remove waste products and extra water which becomes urine, carried away through the bladder. The bladder stores the urine until it is excreted through the urethra. Twenty percent of the blood gets filtered under pressure in the kidneys. 1 The nephrons in the kidney are tiny structures which filter the blood. 2 The kidneys have millions of nephrons enough in reserve in case a number of nephrons become damaged which is irreversible. However, when at least half of the total number of nephrons is damaged, kidney disease is inevitable, and resulting in renal failure. Nephrons may be damaged by Injury (trauma), Infection, drugs harmful to the kidneys, decreased blood flow, stones lodged in the uretha or ureters disrupt urine outflow, and toxins including antifreeze. 3 Common causes for kidney failure diabetes, high blood pressure and hereditary factors. After filtering the blood, healthy kidneys regulate chemicals in the body: Sodium, phosphorus, and potassium are released in the body. "The right balance is necessary for life, but excess levels can be harmful." Symptoms of kidney diseases urinate less or more frequently, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, feet or hands swell or feel numb, trouble concentrating or feeling drowsy, skin appears dark and muscle cramps. Laboratory results confirm kidney disease besides other tests: Creatinine (Waste product in the blood normally excreted through the urine) increases in the blood. During the latest stage of kidney disease, require dialysis (filter and clean the blood) or kidney transplant. 4 In 2005, Renal Data System ('USRDS is a national data system that collects, analyze, and distributes information about end -stage renal disease in the United States". 7) estimated 340,000 patients undergoing dialysis treatment. 6

"Anemia is common in people with kidney disease." When Healthy blood cells (carry sufficient amount of oxygen to the vital organs of the body) are low contribute to heart problems. Disease kidneys unable produce a hormone erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates the bone narrow to establish a proper number of red blood cells to carry oxygen. 5 Iron deficiency indicates presence of anemia.

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