Chronic kidney disease is treated symptomatically. While curing kidney disease may not yet be possible as of 2010, many of the individual symptoms can be held in check to prolong the life of the kidneys. Patients with abnormal function require...
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body's water, electrolyte and acid-base balance. They filter out toxins and the end products of metabolism. They secrete hormones that affect the blood pressure and production of blood cells. One...
The kidneys' main function is to clear the blood of wastes and remove excess fluid. Some tests that measure abnormal kidney function include blood pressure, urine albumin, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)....
The body adjusts kidney function to meet current demands using hormones and the nervous system. When the kidneys are dysfunctional, they are less responsive to hormones. Low blood sodium can be caused by abnormal kidney function, due to lack of...
You have two kidneys. These organs are small, shaped like a bean and perform many important functions. They're located just below the ribs, one kidney on each side of your body. If the kidneys lose some ability to function, you may not have any...
According to MedlinePlus, gout causes sudden severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints, usually in the big toe, but can also be a cause of leg pain. MayoClinic.com notes that men are more likely to get gout, but women become...
Potassium is an important positively charged electrolyte found within cells. At a normal concentration, it allows the adequate functioning of the heart muscle by maintaining a regular heart rate and rhythm. Potassium is obtained in the diet;...
According to the National Cancer Institute, there are various kinds of bone cancer as this disease can originate in all forms of bone tissue: osteoid bone, cartilaginous tissue, fibrous tissue and bone marrow. The most common kinds of primary bone...
Approximately 99 percent of the body's calcium is stored in the bones, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The remaining 1 percent is divided between the bloodstream and the muscle cells. Calcium is vital for the formation and...
The American Cancer Society estimates that 20,580 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in 2009--about 11,680 in males and 8,900 in females--and that 10,580 Americans died from the disease. Two systems are used to classify this cancer in...
Vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous in the intestines, promoting healthy bone development. Vitamin D and its derivatives also stimulate anti-tumor activity of the immune system and stimulate insulin...
The spleen is an organ that plays a vital role in protecting the body from infections, since the special cells present in the spleen kill the bacteria or germs that are present in the blood. An individual may need to get the spleen removed due to...
Magnesium is an essential macromineral that your body needs each day. You need macrominerals in larger amounts than trace minerals for good nutrition. If you consume too much magnesium from supplements, your body will develop symptoms that can...
Diabetes is a lifelong condition of hyperglycemia, which is an elevated blood glucose (sugar) level. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. However, it requires insulin in order to be absorbed into the cells and utilized. When glucose...
A low WBC, or white blood count, is called leukopenia. There are several types of white blood cells, including neutrophils and lymphocytes. White blood cells are the body's main defense against infection, and the function of the immune system can...
The prostate is the male gland responsible for the production of semen. The prostate is located around the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder and expels it from the body. A healthy prostate gland in a young man should be the size of a...
Creatine is a compound naturally created by our body to produce the energy needed for muscle contraction. When your muscles break down creatine, a waste product called creatinine is formed. Your kidneys excrete almost all the creatinine in your...
If you have kidney disease, you may have difficulty processing medications because your kidneys have a reduced ability to filter the medication and excrete it. Medications may stay in your system for longer amounts of time and cause an increase in...
Drugs sometimes have side effects that linger for days or weeks after discontinuation. Vancomycin, a potent antibiotic, has long-term side effects that persist and may require medical or drug intervention for resolution; some effects may be...
According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for protein for healthy adults is 10 to 35 percent. However, individuals with abnormal kidney function often can't handle large amounts...
Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of the muscle fibers. Muscle spasms usually occur suddenly and dissipate quickly, but they can cause a significant amount of pain. Most people experience at least one muscle spasm at some point....
Alkaline supplements allegedly protect your body against acidic foods such as meat and soda. These supplements contain the base-forming minerals potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium. While essential for proper body functioning, alkaline...
Blood sugar plays an important role in your health, because cells take up and utilize this sugar as a source of energy. Blood sugar regulation in your body ensures that you do not develop abnormally high or low blood sugar, which can damage your...
The kidneys are two organs located on either side of your spine behind your abdomen. Besides creating urine to remove unneeded waste and water from your body, they produce several hormones, including erythropoietin and renin, and help regulate...
Gadolinium is a heavy metal used to enhance the resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI.) Free gadolinium is highly toxic, therefore gadolinium contrast agents(Gd-CAs) contain gadolinium that is chelated to carbon-based compounds, which...
According to a 2008 article in the European Journal of Radiology, gadolinium is a heavy metal used to enhance the resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI.) Free gadolinium is highly toxic, therefore gadolinium contrast agents (Gd-CAs)...
Tricor is a drug that is used to control triglycerides and total cholesterol. Sold under the generic name fenofibrate, this drug reduces the amount of low-density lipoprotein in the blood and increases the amount of high-density lipoprotein....
An unhealthy diet fails to supply the essential nutrients your body needs in order to function properly. At the same time, it may contain too much of one or a few nutrients that cause health problems from excessive consumption. Both of these...
Kidneys are responsible for filtering your body's blood and controlling your fluid levels. Although you have two of them, you really need only one to function. However, your kidneys are extremely important to your overall health. Knowing the...
