Kidney disease 1

The two types of kidney disease are acute and chronic. Acute kidney disease happens suddenly and is often reversible, while chronic kidney disease develops slowly and can lead to permanent damage.

Nephrons are tiny units in the kidney that help filter the blood. They are responsible for removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood, and they help regulate the balance of electrolytes and pH in the body.

Doctors use a series of biochemical tests to assess kidney function. Two examples of these tests are urea and creatinine. Urea is a waste product produced in the liver, and its levels can be affected by the amount of protein we consume. Creatinine is a byproduct of muscle metabolism, and its concentration in the blood is inversely related to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering our blood.

<p>To estimate the amount of a substance cleared from the blood by glomerular filtration in a specific amount of time</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Proteinuria is a condition where proteins leak into the urine, and excessive amounts may indicate kidney damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ultrasounds or MRIs</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Proteinuria is a condition where proteins leak into the urine, and excessive amounts may indicate kidney damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Doctors may perform ultrasounds or MRIs to check for signs of kidney disease, such as changes in the size or shape of the kidneys.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Kidney failure can lead to serious health problems, and doctors diagnose and monitor it through biochemical tests, including measuring GFR and proteinuria levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Renal tubular transport, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and erythropoietin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reagent strip 'dipstick' testing for urea and creatinine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>High levels of potassium in the blood and abnormal heart rhythms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>GFR is the efficiency of the kidneys in clearing blood through glomerular filtration. It is considered the best overall measure of kidney function, with a decrease in GFR preceding renal failure. Adequate function is required to maintain balance in fluid, electrolyte, and pH levels. An assessment of nephron function, the measurement of GFR is useful in monitoring treatment, progression, and predicting the initiation of renal replacement therapy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>GFR is considered the best overall measure of kidney function because it is an assessment of nephron function and the efficiency of the kidneys in clearing blood through glomerular filtration. A decrease in GFR precedes renal failure, making it an important indicator of kidney health. Additionally, GFR measurement is useful in monitoring treatment, progression, and predicting the initiation of renal replacement therapy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Glomerular filtrate is required to maintain balance in fluid, electrolyte, and pH levels. It is the result of the kidneys clearing blood through glomerular filtration, and its efficiency is measured by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Without adequate GFR, the body may not be able to maintain proper balance of these important physiological factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Proteinuria is a measure of kidney damage that can be used as an indicator of glomerular function. A small amount of albumin and other proteins can be found in urine, while larger amounts indicate kidney damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Physicians have other tests available to detect renal disease and malignancies, such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), isotope scanning, and renal biopsy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Larger amounts of proteins found in urine indicate kidney damage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Diabetes, thyroid disease, myocardial infarct, gout, renal failure, and liver disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Urea, creatinine, ions, urine properties, and biomarkers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To properly utilize them as detection and prognosis tools and to recognize the importance of differential diagnosis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The kidneys secrete hormones like aldosterone and ADH, which increase arteriolar vasoconstriction, helping to regulate blood pressure and retain water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Urine and blood tests, such as urinalysis, reagent strip testing, and assessment of glomerular and tubular function, can assess kidney function. Urea and creatinine levels in the blood are useful indicators of glomerular function.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adequate glomerular function is important for fluid, electrolyte, and pH balance, as substances are efficiently cleared from the blood, providing a measure of nephron function.</p> Signup and view all the answers