The kidneys, bean-shaped organs located just below the rib cage, are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood, creating urine. The kidneys contain millions of nephrons which each contain a glomerulus, a tiny blood vessel that acts as a sieve to filter the waste from the blood. Information provided by The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse indicates that your kidneys process approximately 200 quarts of blood each day. This makes the glomeruli vulnerable to damage which can result in a loss of kidney function.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which the pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. Chronic high blood pressure can damage the vessels, resulting in the accumulation of white blood cells which try to fix the damage. These cells attract other cells including fats, cholesterol and cell debris, which all together creates a substance called plaque. As the plaque builds-up in the vessels, blood flow is restricted, resulting in even higher blood pressure.
When the small blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged by the high blood pressure, the glomeruli are not able to filter the waste from the blood. This loss of kidney function may be treated with medications to reduce blood pressure.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the number one cause of end stage renal (kidney) disease according to the American Heart Association. Diabetes is a condition characterized by a high blood sugar, or glucose, level. The amount of glucose in the blood is like a poison in the body and can cause damage to many organs, including the kidneys.
As the blood is filtered through the kidney, the glomeruli work to try to filter the sugar from the blood. There is too much sugar present and the added stress to the glomeruli causes scar tissue to develop. As the scar tissue builds, the glomeruli fail to work effectively, resulting in a loss of kidney function.
Medications
Every medication ingested is filtered by the kidney. Some medications, even over-the-counter medications, can cause damage to the kidney, resulting in loss of function. Pain medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can all cause kidney damage if taken every day. Antibiotics, if not taken as prescribed, can also damage the kidneys. Illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin and amphetamines can also damage the kidneys.
Congenital Disease
There are some diseases of the kidney that are present from birth, meaning they are congenital. Polycystic kidney disease, the most common congenital kidney disease according to the National Kidney Foundation, causes small cysts to grow on the kidneys. As these cysts grow and multiply, they begin to take over the kidney, resulting in loss of function.
