The kidneys’ primary purpose is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood to make urine. In order to adequately function, the kidneys require the body to have a balance of sodium and potassium. When you consume too…
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when the bladder, kidney, or urethra becomes infected. Oftentimes, bacteria invades the urinary system from outside of the body and infects the lower part of the urinary tract. In more severe cases, a UTI…
Those familiar with kidney disease may have heard the term "dialysis" before, but few may comprehend the actual use of dialysis or how it helps patients. Dialysis is a treatment used for those with severely damaged kidneys, and it is…
Kidney disease is a condition in which your kidneys become damaged and gradually stop working over time. Without your kidneys functioning properly, dangerous levels of waste can build up in your body. Kidneys are also responsible for retaining electrolytes and…
Kidney stones are the uncomfortable, sometimes painful, formation of minerals (calcium, phosphate or oxalate) that develop in the kidney. They can grow to be as large as a golf ball and sometimes become lodged in the kidney, ureter or bladder.…
Kidney disease is a condition where a person's kidney stops working properly and becomes gradually damaged over time. Without the kidney's ability to function correctly, harmful waste can accumulate to high levels in your blood, which can lead to chronic…
The kidneys are responsible for many functions within the body, such as filtering waste out of the blood, balancing the body’s fluid and electrolyte levels, and so much more. Therefore, maintaining kidney health is crucial to overall health and wellness.…
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when the force of your blood flowing through your vessels is consistently too high. Though there are typically no presenting symptoms, when left untreated, hypertension can have detrimental effects upon your circulatory…
Drinking too much alcohol can take a serious toll on your overall health and wellness. It can interfere with the brain’s communication pathways, damage the heart, lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammation, and cause the pancreas to…
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. Over a third of patients with diabetes will develop kidney disease related to diabetes, or diabetic nephropathy. Damage to the kidney occurs gradually and without symptoms over many years. For this reason,…
Kidney stones are hard, mineral-based deposits that form inside the kidneys over time. It is estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives. They form when your urine contains more crystal-forming…
High blood pressure is when your blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high. Having high blood pressure can cause harm by increasing the workload of the heart and…
One of the most common reasons to see a kidney specialist is for elevated creatinine levels. Elevated creatinine can be an early sign that you have a disease affecting your kidneys' function to keep your blood clean. If you have…
Medications are critical when it comes to treating a health condition. However, people sometimes forget how important a change in lifestyle can improve our overall health and well-being. Hypertension is one of the many conditions that can be managed successfully…
Did you know that kidney disease is a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes? The heart and kidney play important roles in the body and work together to keep you healthy. When one of these vital organs is affected,…
There are many reasons why a fluid restriction is recommended, but it boils down to the issue of fluid balance, which is fluid intake vs. fluid output. It is like a balance scale, and they are on opposite sides. When…
The kidneys are responsible for many functions within the body, with the most important ones being the removal of metabolic waste products, excess minerals and excess fluid which constitutes most of the urine components. Both waste products and excess fluid…
