The kidneys are one of the most important organs of the human excretory system. If the normal activity of this filtration apparatus is disrupted, this is fraught with self-poisoning of the body, the development of edema, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders.
Kidney structure
There are two kidneys in the body, in appearance they resemble beans and are located in the retroperitoneal space on both sides of the spine at the waist level. Every person who has at least once suffered from an inflammatory disease of the excretory system and knows the symptoms of chronic nephritis has an excellent idea of where they are. The size of the kidneys is small, and the mass does not exceed 200 g. The organ consists of two layers: external (cortical) and internal (cerebral). From the side of the spine, the kidney connects to the blood vessels, there is also a special cavity - the renal pelvis, from which the ureter emerges.
The structure of these organs is very complex and is studied at the microscopic level. The main structural and working element of the kidneys is known - the nephron, located in the cortical layer and consisting of glomeruli of blood capillaries enclosed in capsules and tubules. Capillaries are formed as a result of branching of the renal artery, and, it must be said, the pressure in it is very high. Just think: in 4-5 minutes all the blood in the human body manages to pass through the kidneys, and the total length of the tubules of the kidneys reaches 100 km.
Kidney function
The number of nephrons in the kidneys is impressive: there are a million in each of them. About 200 l of primary urine is filtered through the glomeruli of these structural units per day, which is similar in composition to blood plasma, only lacks proteins and contains many substances needed by the body. In the convoluted tubules, most substances are re-absorbed into the bloodstream, as well as secretion, that is, a number of substances are released from the blood into the urine. The final amount of urine is already 1.7-2 liters. It enters the renal pelvis and bladder. The work of the kidneys is constantly changing depending on the conditions of the external and internal environment and is regulated by the central nervous system.
In addition to excretory function, the kidneys also perform endocrine and metabolic, and also maintain a stable water-salt and acid-base balance, take an active part in hematopoiesis, repeatedly pumping all the blood in the human body through itself and purifying it from unnecessary substances.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease has some common symptoms. Violations of their work are signaled by pain localized in the lumbar region, on one or both sides. Edema on the face and limbs also indicate a violation of the functions of these organs. Soreness and an increase in the frequency of urination, a change in the color of urine, the presence of blood in it - these symptoms clearly indicate that the work of the kidneys is impaired. Inflammatory diseases of these organs are often accompanied by fever and some common symptoms: fatigue, discoloration of the skin, poor appetite and others.
Jade - this is not one, but a group of diseases that combines the presence of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the kidneys. By the nature of the course, acute and chronic nephritis are distinguished. They also differ in the causes of inflammation and in the affected areas of the kidneys. Inflammation can spread to the entire kidney (diffuse form), and can affect only its honor (focal form). In acute forms, the symptoms are pronounced, body temperature rises significantly, but chronic nephritis is a disease that may well be asymptomatic.
The main types of jade. Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is the most common inflammatory kidney disease, and it is caused by a bacterial infection that enters the kidneys either with blood flow or through the urinary tract. In this case, the pyelocaliceal system of the kidney is affected. Those who suffer from the acute phase of the disease and did not finish its treatment can suffer from chronic nephritis of this type. Such people should more closely monitor their condition: properly build a diet, avoid hypothermia. Future mothers are at risk of developing pyelonephritis, as a growing fetus compresses the ureters.
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is also called glomerular jade. It is often based on immune inflammation of the glomeruli of the nephrons that occurs under the influence of the body’s own antibodies, but the disease can also be allergic after infections of both viral and bacterial nature. The action of toxic substances (alcohol, drugs, mercury) can also be the cause of glomerulonephritis.
It was already mentioned above that it is the glomeruli that act as filters in the body. If their proper functioning is disrupted, substances necessary for the body begin to enter the urine, and decay products cease to be excreted from it. A person suffers from general weakness, lower back pain, nausea, swelling, shortness of breath and urination disorders. A feature of chronic nephritis of this type is the alternation of periods of remission with episodes of exacerbation of symptoms. The disease in the absence of adequate treatment can result in chronic renal failure.
Interstitial jade
Interstitial nephritis is a disease in which a lesion of the intermediate tissue and tubules of the nephrons occurs. This happens as a result of the use of drugs, in particular antibiotics and diuretics, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, against the background of some bacterial and viral infections, which in this case are not the cause, but the catalyst that provokes the disease factor. Among the causes of this disease are poisoning with toxins and damage from the effects of ionizing radiation. Since tubular dysfunction is observed with interstitial nephritis, and inflammation does not extend to the renal pelvis, this pathology is also called tubulointerstitial nephritis.
It should be noted that the described form of the disease has the peculiarity of proceeding implicitly until it passes into chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. The developing pathological process ultimately leads to the appearance of symptoms of intoxication of the body. It is difficult enough to diagnose this type of chronic jade. Patients complain of dry mouth, constant thirst, but urination disorders, so characteristic of other kidney diseases, may not be observed at the initial stage, lower back pain is weak, but a common phenomenon is the appearance of an allergic rash on the body. If chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis is an unspecified diagnosis, then such a diagnostic test as a kidney biopsy will help to reliably verify the presence or absence of this disease.
Chronic Jade Treatment
Chronic kidney nephritis is almost always the result of untreated acute nephritis. Sometimes, although the chronic form can develop without an acute stage in the past, but then, most likely, some other infectious diseases took place. In chronic kidney disease, anatomical changes occur in them, up to wrinkling of organs.
Treatment of chronic nephritis, of course, depends on the type of disease. But a number of general rules can be distinguished. First of all, it is necessary with the help of medicines to eliminate the foci of infections in the body. Exercise, stress, hypothermia should be avoided. During exacerbations, strict bed rest is required. Allowed the appointment of diuretics, hormone therapy. However, medicines should only be prescribed by a doctor. Kidney problems are too serious to afford to self-medicate.
The diet in the treatment of kidney diseases is aimed at not overloading the diseased organ and improving the excretion of nitrogenous substances from the body, but the food should be rich in vitamins. Salt intake is necessarily limited or completely eliminated. It is recommended to boil or bake meat and fish, but do not fry. Doctors recommend lowering fluid intake to 1 liter per day. Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, spicy seasonings are prohibited.
Prevention
In chronic nephritis, prevention comes down to avoiding exacerbation of the disease by all means. And for this, it is recommended to guard against infections, hypothermia and not to burden the body with intense physical exertion. In addition, any medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, must be used with caution, only according to the indications and under the supervision of a doctor.