Where is kidneys located in the body

The kidney and urinary systems help the body to get rid of liquid waste called urea. They also help to keep chemicals such as potassium and sodium and water in balance. Urea is produced when foods containing protein such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables are broken down in the body. Urea is carried in the blood to the kidneys.

This is where it is removed, along with water and other wastes in the form of urine. The kidneys have other important functions. They control blood pressure and produce the hormone erythropoietin. This hormone controls red blood cell production in the bone marrow. The kidneys also control the acid-base balance and conserve fluids. It can, however, indicate other conditions, such as urinary tract infections or STIs. The idea that urine is sterile is a pervasive idea, but what does the research say?

Painful urination may be a sign of a urinary tract infection UTI , sexually transmitted infection STI , or other cause. Learn more about relieving…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. Symptoms of kidney pain. What causes kidney pain? When to see your doctor. Read this next. Some kidney conditions are inherited run in families. Others are congenital; that is, individuals may be born with an abnormality that can affect their kidneys.

The following are some of the most common types and causes of kidney damage. Diabetes is a disease in which your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use normal amounts of insulin properly.

This results in a high blood sugar level, which can cause problems in many parts of your body. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. High blood pressure also known as hypertension is another common cause of kidney disease and other complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls increases. When high blood pressure is controlled, the risk of complications such as chronic kidney disease is decreased.

Glomerulonephritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the kidney's tiny filtering units called the glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis may happen suddenly, for example, after a strep throat, and the individual may get well again. However, the disease may develop slowly over several years and it may cause progressive loss of kidney function.

Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited kidney disease. It is characterized by the formation of kidney cysts that enlarge over time and may cause serious kidney damage and even kidney failure.

Other inherited diseases that affect the kidneys include Alport's Syndrome,primary hyperoxaluria and cystinuria. Kidney stones are very common, and when they pass, they may cause severe pain in your back and side. There are many possible causes of kidney stones, including an inherited disorder that causes too much calcium to be absorbed from foods and urinary tract infections or obstructions.

Sometimes, medications and diet can help to prevent recurrent stone formation. In cases where stones are too large to pass, treatments may be done to remove the stones or break them down into small pieces that can pass out of the body. These infections most often affect the bladder, but they sometimes spread to the kidneys, and they may cause fever and pain in your back. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.

Find out if clinical trials are right for you. Clinical trials that are currently open and are recruiting can be viewed at www. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. How do my kidneys work? How does blood flow through my kidneys? Clinical Trials The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist.

You have two kidneys that filter your blood, removing wastes and extra water to make urine. Why are the kidneys important? Without this balance, nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not work normally.