Kidneys

things to know

• size of your fist
• 5 ounces
• right kidney is smaller and lower - liver is adjacent
• 1st transplant in 1953 in Boston
• filters all your blood every hour

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diabetes

• high blood sugar
• damages nephrons (filtration units)
• nerve damage - bladder

one kidney

• born with only one
• have 2 but 1 works
• cancer, injury
• donated one
• live normal lives but protect from injury
• grows in size
• about 25% reduction in function

stones

• mineral/salt deposits
• can take up to a month
• 1 in 10 have them
• 11% men, 9% women

stone symptoms

• severe back pain
• blood in urine
• nausea vomiting
• persistent stomach pain

stone risks

• low activity
• drinking soda
• family history
• not enough fruits/veg
• chronic/acute dehydration
• IBS = dehydration

Dialysis

• 3x/wk. 3 hrs/session
• transplant is preferred
• machine filters waste
• may not make urine

Kidney care

• hydration
• avoid ibuprofen long term
• low salt
• keep BP normal
• weight normal
• avoid tobacco
• some antibiotics

Function declines

• 1-3% every year
• depending on lifestyle and genetics
• may change doses of long standing medication
• know your kidney function for correct doses

Adverse events

• aleve, motrin, advil- NSAID
• penicillin, amox - Antibiotic
• Prilosec, Nexium - GERD

Vague symptoms

• fatigue
• trouble sleeping
• dry itchy skin
• blood in urine
• ankle or foot swelling

HelloCare Services

• medication
• transportation
• after hospital care
• custom service plans

Any Questions?