What are kidneys for? First of all, you need to understand that this organ is very important, since it processes all toxic excretory substances in the human body. Without it, the normal work of all organs and organ systems is impossible. It has a specific structure that is different from the rest of the body, so before you consider why you need a kidney to a person, you need to study their anatomy.
The specifics of the anatomical structure
The kidney is, first of all, the paired organ, which has a dense consistency. The surface is covered with a special protective film, so it is very smooth. The shape of the body resembles a bean. In addition to the film, it is surrounded by adipose tissue, which creates additional protection, as well as fixing its position in the human body.
Like any other organ, the kidney is represented by the whole system that forms it. The basis of the structure is a two-layer parenchyma, it is it that provides the filtering of harmful substances. Its composition includes nephrons, of which there are many in the organ. The total number can reach a million. The nephron itself is represented by channels and bodies.
For this reason, it is fair to say that the body has a multi-level system, which helps it to work fully.
These channels make it possible to filter blood plasma, after which they form primary urine, which is why such units are needed in the kidneys in the human body.
The emitted liquid does not immediately leave its place; for starters, all useful substances, as well as water, leave its composition. After that, the so-called secondary urine is formed, which must sooner or later leave the body, as it contains many toxic residues.
Functions
What are kidneys for man, and what functions do they perform? Such a question leads to an understanding of the importance of this body.
In addition to the main filtering function, the body performs a number of others:
- Regulatory - mainly this task relates to homeostasis. The kidneys are responsible for the constant composition and properties of the entire environment of the body. They also are involved in the normalization of water balance. That is, kidneys accumulate useful substances for the body, and remove all toxins. Thanks to this process, not only the water-electrolyte balance is regulated, but also the ionic and osmotic ones.
- They are responsible for the balance of acids and alkalis in the body - protein breakdown is marked by the fact that sulfuric and phosphoric acids are released, which must be removed from the medium so that it functions normally.
- Continuous participation in the process of raising and lowering blood pressure is another reason why a person needs kidneys. The body produces a special biochemical process, which helps in regulation.
- The introduction of various hormones, enzymes and vitamins into the blood.
- Normalization of the blood coagulation process.
- Helps accelerate the synthetic activity of red blood cells.
- It increases the rate of protein processing - in the secondary urine, it is necessary to break down the whole protein, so that subsequently amino acids appear, which then enter the human blood.
All processes require the presence of certain parameters in the kidneys, so if one of the organs is damaged, the body will begin to work much worse.
Significance for normal life
Having examined all the existing kidney functions, one can already understand the level of importance and necessity of this organ. In one day alone, he passes through himself as much as 200 liters of blood, enriching it with useful substances and taking toxic ones.
In addition to toxic compounds, there may be harmful microbes in the blood, which subsequently lead to serious illnesses. The kidneys take the blow from them to expel the pests from the body. The main feature is that all the secreted residues cannot get back into the body. Thus, itβs fair to talk about one more reason why a person needs kidneys - they block the entry of harmful substances back into the blood.
It is important for a person of any age to be able to maintain the strength and integrity of the kidney, since no other organ can replace its important role, no matter how hard it tries. Damage to even one paired unit will significantly affect the general condition.
How to explain to a child why kidneys are needed for humans?
The child does not perceive heavy and bulky terms, so it must be said that the kidney is a kind of filter. An example is a water filter, saying that it purifies water from harmful microbes so that people can drink it and not get sick later. The kidney does the same with the blood in the body. It helps maintain its purity, fills with vitamins, and expels harmful substances from the body forever. That's what a person needs kidneys for. The child will deal with other functions later in school, the main thing is knowledge of the main task.
Causes of kidney problems
The bulk of the problems with the organ arise due to human indifference. People do not eat well, consuming a lot of salt and sugar, alcohol and protein. This creates a huge burden on the organ, because of which it is gradually destroyed. Stone formation is also likely due to the high amount of protein.
Alcohol and pills are the main enemy of the body. All substances contained in such products cause inflammation in the kidneys and prevent them from functioning normally. They also cause severe dehydration, which makes the blood thicker, and itβs extremely difficult for the kidneys to pass through it.
A sedentary lifestyle causes blood stasis, which also leads to consequences in the area of ββthe organ.
Prevention
Complications that have already appeared are forbidden to cure on their own, since a doctor is needed. Self-medication can affect the deterioration of the condition of a person as a whole. To prevent this from happening, you need to start taking care of the kidneys in time.
First of all, you need to consume a lot of healthy food, in which there is not too much protein. Greens like spinach and sorrel, vegetables, seafood, fruits are suitable. Only fruits are best taken not very sweet, for example, it is allowed to consume apples, watermelons or melons.
It is also important to drink plenty of water, two liters a day - this is the indestructible norm of every adult.
In no case do not supercool, keep the pelvic area always warm. You can be tempered so as not to be afraid of temperature changes, but this is allowed only with the permission of the doctor.