The Bean-Shaped Organ

I’m pretty sure if I asked just anyone about their kidneys right now, they wouldn’t know what to say.  They’d have some vague idea about the functions and would probably say that they could donate one to someone who needed it.  Sure, sure.  That’s fine.  However, if I asked my mom about her kidneys, she wouldn’t talk about them, so much as the stones housed within them.  I’ll clarify that later.  First, let’s learn about the function of the kidney, because, honestly, I think we could all use a refresher course.

The kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood a day to sift out two quarts of waste products and extra water.  The wastes and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters.  The bladder holds the urine until—well, you know about that.
If your kidneys fail, your body will fill with extra water and waste products in a condition called uremia.  When the kidneys completely fail, the patient must undergo dialysis or kidney transplantation.

For more information on kidneys and dialysis, click the link below.

So, there are the basics about kidneys.  Now where do the stones come in?

As it turns out, a kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney out of substances in the urine.  It might stay in the kidney or break loose and travel down the urinary tract.  A small stone may pass all the way through the body without causing too much pain.

A larger stone may get stuck, obviously.  And, well, that’s not good.  It can block the flow of urine and cause a lot of pain.

My poor mother had three kidney stones this week.  The pain started in her back, moved down and was excruciating at times.  A few doctor trips later, she now has one stone left and just wants to be over with it.  The pain has subsided and she also got a lovely prescription just in case it returned.

Drinking lots of water helps to flush out the substances that turn into stones.  Twelve full glasses a day is good.  Juice, lemon-lime soda, and ginger ale are good too.  You should limit coffee, tea and cola to one or two cups a day because the caffeine may cause you to lose fluid too quickly.

For more information on kidney stones, types and treatments, check out the link below.

In the future, I'm going to learn why the kidneys are considered a delicacy... yum.

Kidneys and Dialysis

Kidney Stones, Types and Treatments

Both Images found from the Kidneys and Dialysis link.