The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located below the rib cage on each side of the spine. They belong to the endocrine system and are responsible for keeping the blood free of waste and maintaining proper electrolyte balance. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, healthy kidneys process approximately 200 quarts of blood per day. Renal, or kidney, failure occurs when the kidneys cannot properly remove waste and make urine without also disrupting electrolyte balance.
Physiology of Kidneys
Each kidney contains around one million nephrons, which contain structures called glomeruli. Glomeruli are clusters of small blood vessels that serve as filtering units for the kidneys. When blood enters the glomeruli, the waste products are removed and the rest of the fluid travels through another kidney structure called the tubule. When fluid flows through the tubule, the kidneys will either add water to the fluid or remove water from the fluid, depending on the concentration of electrolytes and other chemicals. The addition or removal of water keeps the electrolyte balance of the body within normal ranges. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, the electrolyte balance cannot be adequately maintained.
Types of Renal Failure
There are two types of renal failure: acute renal failure and chronic renal failure. Acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys lose their function suddenly, explains MayoClinic.com. Chronic renal failure is defined as the gradual loss of kidney function. Chronic renal failure occurs as a result of chronic diseases and conditions that damage the kidneys over time.
Causes of Renal Failure
Several different conditions and situations can cause acute renal failure. When the kidneys do not receive enough blood -- such as from blood loss, heart attack, infection, cirrhosis or injury -- they can become damaged. Damage can also occur as a result of blood clots, inflammation of the glomeruli, toxins or cholesterol deposits, according to MayoClinic.com. Chronic renal failure can develop as a result of birth defects, repeated kidney stones, diabetes, high blood pressure, other kidney diseases or the long-term use of certain medications.
Treatment
When the kidneys fail, dialysis is necessary. Dialysis is a process during which a special filter acts as an artificial kidney to remove wastes and restore electrolyte balance. During treatment, the blood travels through tubes that filter out waste and electrolytes and then progresses to another set of tubes that allow cleaned blood to travel back into the body. In some cases, kidney transplantation may be available. During this procedure, one or both of the kidneys are replaced with healthy kidneys from a donor.
Complications
The imbalance of electrolytes associated with renal failure can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias. Severe heart arrhythmias can lead to heart attack. Dangerously high levels of electrolytes in the blood can result in death.
