Health officials in the United States have begun expressing serious concern over the rapid increase in demand for dialysis treatment that has been occurring over the past several years. It is no secret that dietand exercise related illnesses have become a huge problem in the US, but few people think about the negative health consequences that diseases such as diabetes and hypertension can have on the kidneys until after the damage has been done. These conditions can cause a tremendous amount of harm to the vessels that transport blood to the kidneys as well as the membranes that are responsible for filtering potentially harmful water and waste molecules from the body. In addition, there are several other responsibilities that the kidneys have that can become compromised through the cumulative effects of many years worth of damage.

The kidneys are two small structures that are located in the lower portion of the abdominal cavity immediately in front of the bottom set of ribs. While these anatomical structures may seem relatively unimportant compared to other vital organs such as the heart and brain, they actually perform many critical tasks that are essential to survival. Unfortunately, most people only learn about the important roles that the kidneys play once they have become dependent on long-term dialysis treatment for survival. Many industry professionals believe that one of the best ways to help reverse the trend towards widespread kidney failure is to educate the public about the importance of the kidneys and the steps that can be taken to preserve their health and improve their functionality.

The most important role that the kidneys have in the human body is that of filtering excess water and waste from the bloodstream. These particles accumulate naturally as a result of normal metabolic activity and must be removed so that they do not damage vital organ systems. In cases where kidney damage has already occurred, the body may no longer be able to excrete excess water and waste and may suffer from the signs and symptoms that result from the unhealthy accumulation of these particles. Some of the first problems that kidney failure patients experience include chronic swelling of the hands, feet, and face; dry and itchy skin; bad breath; an unusual metallic taste in the mouth; constipation; diarrhea; mental status changes; and much more. These troublesome effects generally create enough concern for people to seek professional medical advice and often result in a diagnosis of end stage renal failure.

Although filtration is the primary function of the kidneys, there are actually many other responsibilities that these organs have in the human body. In addition to cleaning the blood, the kidneys contain a specialized mechanism for monitoring blood pressure and red blood cell concentration. In the event that the pressure rises or falls too far, the kidneys will adjust the amount of water that they excrete in order to restore the appropriate pressure. Also, the kidneys secrete a hormone that is known as erythropoietin into the bloodstream when the concentration of red blood cells drops too low. This hormone circulates through the body and serves to inform the bone marrow that it needs to increase red blood cell production. This process ensures that the body is capable of delivering the necessary amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. If the kidneys lose their ability to perform these tasks, medical intervention may be required in order to help the patient survive.

Individuals who suffer from severe kidney damage may also experience problems with calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and Vitamin D production. This is because the kidneys are responsible for secreting a hormone known as calcitriol. This hormone aids in the absorption of calcium from food as it travels through the digestive tract. In cases where the body cannot absorb enough calcium from the diet, it tells the parathyroid glands to begin producing elevated levels of parathyroid hormone. This hormone removes calcium from the bones and adds it to the bloodstream. While this process does restore normal levels of calcium, it often creates fragile bones and causes calcium deposits in the blood vessels that may eventually block blood flow. These health consequences can be extremely dangerous and may even contribute to the death of the patient.

The numerous roles that the kidneys have in the body are excellent examples of why it is so important to teach people about the need to engage in behaviors that safeguard health and promote well-being. Steps that are taken to prevent renal failure in the first place are generally the most effective when it comes to reducing the risk of long-term kidney damage. Dialysis technicians and other healthcare professionals play an important part in raising public awareness about this issue and should become actively involved in educating the people in their communities.