Kidneys
by Olga Baciu
The kidneys are important because they keep the
composition, or makeup, of the blood stable, which lets the body function. They
prevent the buildup of wastes and extra fluid in the body
keep levels of electrolytes stable, such as
sodium, potassium, and phosphate
make hormones that help
regulate blood pressure
make red blood cells
bones stay strong
Every day, the two kidneys filter about 120 to 150
quarts of blood to produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, composed of wastes and
extra fluid.
Each kidney is made up of about a million
filtering units called nephrons. The nephron includes a filter, called the
glomerulus, and a tubule.
Most people are born with two kidneys, but many
people can live on just one. Kidney transplant surgeries with live donors are
common medical procedures today.
Drugs and toxins can also cause kidney problems.
Using large numbers of over-the-counter pain relievers for a long time may be
harmful to the kidneys. Certain other medications, toxins, pesticides and
"street" drugs such as heroin and crack can also cause kidney damage
Kidney disease usually affects both kidneys. If
the kidneys' ability to filter the blood is seriously damaged by disease,
wastes and excess fluid may build up in the body. Although many forms of kidney
disease do not produce symptoms until late in the course of the disease, there
are six warning signs of kidney disease:
High blood pressure.
Blood and/or protein in the urine.
A creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) blood
test, outside the normal range. BUN and creatinine are waste that build up in
your blood when your kidney function is reduced.
A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60.
GFR is a measure of kidney function.
More frequent urination, particularly at night;
difficult or painful urination.
Puffiness around eyes, swelling of hands and feet.
Treatment for acute kidney failure typically
requires a hospital stay. Most people with acute kidney failure are already
hospitalized. How long you'll stay in the hospital depends on the reason for
your acute kidney failure and how quickly your kidneys recover.
In some cases, you may be able to recover at home.
Corn-silk and cherry-stem tea are very good.
"Dear Class,
I have really been enjoying all of the excellent Oral Reports that you have been preparing, and have been quite impressed with both your research and your delivery of your presentations.
This Week
1. Finish reading Chapter 5 on ‘Health and Nutrition”.
2. Continue with your nutrition log daily.
ü Bring it to class for me to look over on Thursday, and for discussion together about everyone’s eating habits.
3. Write 1-2 paragraphs about what you are discovering regarding your own eating habits. For example:
ü Do you tend to eat mostly carbohydrates?
ü Do you eat natural foods (like apples or oatmeal), or maybe more processed foods (i.e., Cheerios or energy bars)?
ü Do you eat mostly in the am, or pm, or eve, or are your meals balanced throughout the day.
ü Any thoughts about why you are eating?? Maybe you are truly hungry, but what about when you are just bored, or perhaps anxious.
ü Try to include as many of these angles in your paragraphs as possible, plus any other thoughts that you might have.
Oral Reports.
This week:
· 11/12: Joel - Teeth
· 11/12: Andrew – Vitamins
· 11/12: Andrea – Minerals
Upcoming:
· 11/19: Elisa – The Lungs
· 12/3: Justin – Cigarette Smoking’s Effect on the Lungs
Homework:
o Finish reading Chapter 5
o Daily Nutrition Log – due Thursday
o 1-2 paragraphs about your eating habits – due Thursday
Mrs. Ajamian
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"
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