Our kidneys play a vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. These bean-shaped organs, located on either side of the spine, are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from our blood, balancing electrolytes, and producing hormones that regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production.
However, when the kidneys are unable to perform these crucial functions adequately, it can lead to a condition known as kidney failure.
Let's learn more about the kidney's functions, dive deep into kidney failure, and list treatment options.
What does the Kidney do?
The kidney is responsible for performing several critical functions to maintain the body's internal blance. These include:
Doctors and clinician staff will need to extract and examine a small sample of kidney tissue to determine if one has kidney failure. This procedure is called kidney biopsy.
if your doctor has referred you for a kidney biopsy, click "Play" on the video below to find out what happens during the procedure:
There are 4 types treatments available and the appropriate one for you depends on the severity of the kidney failure as well as your doctor's advice. Here is a quick snapshot of what each treatment entails: