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 How can you live without one of your kidneys?

Life is incompatible with a lack of kidney function (though hemodialysis can act as a substitute). But unlike the case with most other organs, we are born with an overabundant--or overengineered--kidney capacity. Indeed, a single kidney with only 75 percent of its functional capacity can sustain life very well.

 The VA Wants to Use DeepMind's AI to Prevent Kidney Disease

THE HUMAN BODY is frail and people end up in intensive care units for all kinds of reasons. Whatever brings them there, more than half of adults admitted to an ICU end up sharing the same potentially life-threatening condition: kidney damage known as acute kidney injury.

 Why Kidney Health is Vital to Your Overall Well-Being

In ancient times the kidneys were viewed as the seat of feelings, conscience, and yearnings and the source of morality and ethical activity. The kidneys were associated with the innermost parts of a person’s personality and well-being. While we know now that kidneys have no direct role in shaping our ethics, emotions and personality, these two bean-shaped organs are nonetheless vital to our well-being.

Articles of Interest

How this S.F. startup is taking on chronic kidney disease

Using a mix of remote, in-person and at-home care services, the program helps patients manage their CKD, slow down the progression to kidney failure and, if necessary, get prepared so that they’re not starting off dialysis in the hospital.

Kidneys are amazing for all they do, be sure to look after yours

Although the list of conditions causing kidney disease is long, dietary and other lifestyle issues are beginning to dominate. More than a third of all new patients are now reaching end-stage kidney disease due to diabetes and about one in eight as a result of high blood pressure.

5 Surprising Ways You Could Be Damaging Your Kidneys

If you spend most evenings planted on the couch, chips in one hand and the remote in the other, you probably know you’re not winning the healthy living award. While some habits are commonly accepted as unhealthy, there are other everyday behaviors that don’t seem harmful but in actuality may be damaging your body. Could you be harming your kidneys without realizing it?

Adult kidneys constantly grow, remodel themselves, study finds

It was thought that kidney cells didn’t reproduce much once the organ was fully formed, but new research shows that the kidneys are regenerating and repairing themselves throughout life.

Can High-Protein Diets Damage Your Kidneys?

While studies in humans have not fully confirmed this finding, some human studies have suggested that moderating the amount of protein in your diet may play a role in preventing kidney disease.

Let’s Drink to Kidney Health (Literally)!

If you’re wondering how best to promote kidney health, it may be as simple as pouring yourself a glass of something to drink. “A drink of what?” you might ask. No magic potions, but drinks you may already have at home can actually boost your health.

Marathons Injure Kidneys

Even with proper hydration, it may be best to run fewer than 26 miles at a time.

Running a marathon is as traumatic for your body as having heart surgery

Although marathon runners are widely regarded as some of the healthiest people on Earth, cranking out those 26.2 miles (42 kilometers) does a number on your body. In addition to all wear and tear it puts on your muscles, bones, and heart, it can also affect your kidneys

Silicon Isn't Just for Computers. It Can Make a Pretty Good Kidney, Too

EVERY WEEK, TWO million people across the world will sit for hours, hooked up to a whirring, blinking, blood-cleaning dialysis machine. Their alternatives: Find a kidney transplant or die.

The kidneys matter

Both the role of the kidney in controlling and maintaining the constancy of the internal environment as well as the concept that kidneys were shaped to allow living in changing environments are nowadays integrative parts of our current understanding of this organ. Arguably, the kidneys are central organs for controlling and regulating the homeostasis of electrolytes, metabolites, and processes critical for normal function of most organs.

Why I gave my kidney to a stranger — and why you should consider doing it too

And here’s the thing: This is not that hard to do. Not really. Anyone with an understanding employer with paid medical leave, and friends and family willing to support them in the recovery, can do the same thing I did. There’s a simple form that takes, like, five minutes to fill out, if you want to get started.

Resources

Demystifying Kidney Disease for the Average Joe!

Making sense of kidney disease: Dr "VC" Chauhan's "plain-English" take; without the doctor's jargon.

Kidney Health Australia

Kidney Health Australia was first incorporated on 9 August 1968 as a non-profit organisation which has served the kidney community of Australia for well over 40 years. Kidney Health Australia's mission, vision and values are at the core of how we conduct our business and form the foundation for our future direction. Kidney Health Australia has given a long term commitment to families and children affected by kidney disease, but the biggest challenge remains for us to reach those two million Australians who do not know they have early kidney damage.

Kidney Patient Guide

This site has been made possible by a generous grant from the Wellcome Trust's Science on Stage and Screen awards. This site is the result of collaboration between health care professionals, experts in information technology and multimedia, specialist health care writers, and - above all - people with renal failure, their families and carers.

Kidney Research UK

Factsheets explain some of the conditions that can affect the kidneys.

KidneyBuzz

KidneyBuzz.com aims to empower its viewership which is primarily members of the Chronic Kidney Disease/Dialysis Community by offering accurate and up-to-date information free of charge through its Dialy Meal, Daily Article, and Daily Inspirational Quote. It is also in the business of providing tailored products and services to the Chronic Kidney Disease/Dialysis Community,

NephJC

NephJC is a nephrology journal club that uses Twitter to discuss the research, guidelines, and editorials that drive nephrology.

NephU

NephU is an engaged community of health care professionals and advocates collaborating to improve kidney health. Through increased awareness, collaboration, and information-sharing, our mission is to improve the future outcomes for individuals with kidney disease and other related conditions.

RareRenal

The National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) is an initiative by UK kidney specialists (the Renal Association). It is designed to pull together information from patients who have certain rare kidney diseases. This will give a much better understanding of how these illnesses affect people. It will also speed up research.

American Association of Kidney Patients

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is a national non-profit organization founded by kidney patients for kidney patients. We strive to educate and improve the health and well-being of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, those on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and transplant recipients.

Kidney & Urology Foundation of America

The Kidney & Urology Foundation of America provides research grants and develops quality educational conferences for physicians and other medical professionals in the nephrology, urology and transplant communities.

KidneyCoach.com

KidneyCoach.com is a blog created to help people, like you achieve health and happiness in all areas of their life through the creation of powerful free content (articles, video, and audio) each week.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Established in 1987, the Clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public.

National Kidney Center

Our desire is to share compassion with individuals who are diagnosed with kidney disorders by supporting efforts for early screening, detection and awareness of treatment options that include paired donation. The National Kidney Center will also provide an online community where individuals with kidney disease can connect and share information with family members, friends and care providers.

National Kidney Federation

The largest kidney patient charity in the UK. Run by kidney patients, for kidney patients.

National Kidney Foundation

Fueled by passion and urgency, National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education and accelerating change.

Nephrology News & Issues

Nephrology News & Issues, part of Grand View Media Group in Birmingham, Ala., published its first issue in 1987 with the aim of informing readers of the latest developments in nephrology while providing a forum for the exchange of ideas among the professional disciplines responsible for delivering care to the end-stage renal disease patient.



The Nephron Information Center

Our mission is to use this medium to make the public more aware of kidney disease in a sincere effort to prevent it when we can, and to help our colleagues achieve good outcomes in those who already have end stage renal disease. Our role is to provide as much information as possible to patients, professionals and the general public.

UrineColors.com

UrineColors.com is a site created to help you determine the causes of your different urine colors as well as help you understand how your urine color can be a symptom of certain health issues. We also discuss the basics about urine and some very interesting urine facts.

NIDDK

You can do both CAPD and automated peritoneal dialysis in any clean, private place, including at home, at work, or when travelling.

Physiopedia

Healthy kidneys filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make urine. The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes of muscle called ureters, one on each side of the bladder. The bladder stores urine. Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder are part of the urinary tract.

Touchcalc

Touchcalc is a group of medical calculators programmed by Stephen Z. Fadem, M.D., FASN or Joey Fadem. If you have any ideas for a new calculator, please contact Dr. Fadem.