The kidneys are two organs of the human body, each of which consists of a parenchyma (organ tissue) and a strong capsule. They also include a system that accumulates and evacuates urine from the body. The capsule of the kidney is a dense cover consisting of connective tissue that covers the organ from the outside. Parenchyma - the outer cortical layer and the medulla inside the organ. The urinary system in the kidneys consists of cups. They flow into the pelvis. The latter, in turn, directly passes into the ureter.
Kidney location
Where does a person have kidneys? This question interests everyone who feels pain in the approximate area of their location. The kidneys of each person are located in the abdominal cavity, between the third and eleventh vertebrae of the lumbar region. One is on the left side, the second is on the right. In a woman’s body, the kidneys are slightly lower than in men. The left bean-shaped organ is located above the right, as it is slightly displaced by the liver. This option for the location of the kidneys is generalized. In fact, it is individual. Therefore, when answering the question of where a person has kidneys, it should be borne in mind that they can be higher, lower, left, and to the right of the generally accepted norm. However, not all such cases relate to deviations or symptoms of the disease. Some people have only one kidney in their body.
Kidney parameters
The kidneys are organs, each of which has a length of 10 to 12, a thickness of about 4, a width of about 5-6 centimeters. The weight of each organ is from 120 to 200 grams. The kidneys have a dense structure. They visually resemble beans and are painted in brown or dark brown. The right kidney is slightly shorter than the left. As mentioned above, she is slightly lower than her pair. This arrangement makes the right kidney more vulnerable. It is easier to treat various diseases. Kidney size may be increased. The cause is inflammatory processes in them.
Symptom of an indefinite nature
When the kidneys hurt, the symptoms of which ailments can manifest themselves in this way? Anyone who has visited this condition at least once wants to know the answer to this question and another one - how to deal with it? In this case, you should find out if pain is a sign of kidney pathology. After all, often pain in the lumbar region of the back indicates other pathologies. It is possible to take for abnormalities in the work of the kidneys the impairment of the following systems: genital, nervous, musculoskeletal, other organs located in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, you should not self-medicate if you experience any pain in the lumbar. The kidneys are organs whose improper treatment of diseases of which can lead to unpredictable consequences. Some of their pathologies require urgent diagnosis and the help of qualified doctors.
Symptoms of kidney disease
When the kidneys hurt, the symptoms of diseases of these organs can manifest themselves with the following symptoms:
1. There is an ache in the lower back.
2. Blood appears in clouded urine.
3. The body temperature rises.
4. Blood pressure rises.
5. There is weakness, thirst, loss of appetite, dry mouth.
6. Puffiness appears on the face, especially under the eyes, as well as on the legs.
7. Fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity.
If one or more of these symptoms are detected in conjunction with pain in the lumbar spine, you should immediately contact a urologist.
Kidney disease
The kidneys are organs that have many pathologies. Most often, hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, nephroptosis, urolithiasis are found. Renal failure is also quite common.
Pyelonephritis
This pathology is the most common kidney disease of an inflammatory nature. These organs are extremely sensitive to the effects of pathological microorganisms, which can enter them through the bloodstream. Also, pathogenic bacteria often enter the kidneys from the focus of inflammation that occurs in the uterus, its appendages, in the lungs or intestines, in the urethra, bladder or prostate gland (in men). As a result, a purulent process begins to develop in them.
If the disease progresses slowly and has a wavy character (periodically exacerbated due to hypothermia, overwork or reduced immunity), then we are talking about chronic pyelonephritis.
Urolithiasis disease
Urolithiasis, or urolithiasis, is a disease caused by the appearance of kidney stones. Just like pyelonephritis, this ailment is considered one of the most common diseases in urology.
It can develop due to a hot climate, eating habits (for example, a monotonous, acidic or spicy food), the use of hard water with excessive amounts of salts. Also, the causes of urolithiasis include diseases of the stomach and intestines, bones, and organs of the genitourinary system.
Nephroptosis
Most likely, you have heard about such phenomena as the wandering of the kidney or its mobility or omission. In medicine, these types of pathologies are called "nephroptosis." If the kidney drops, it can acquire the ability to rotate around its own axis. This phenomenon causes bending and stretching of blood vessels. As a result, the circulation of lymph and blood is disturbed in them. Women are more prone to nephroptosis.
An ailment develops due to sharp weight loss, injuries, hard work of a physical nature, which requires being in an upright position, constantly driving.
Renal failure
This condition is characterized by a partial or complete cessation of kidney function. At the same time, the balance of electrolytes and water is disturbed in the body, urea, creatinine and other acids accumulate in the blood. Due to the effect on the bean-like organ of drugs, toxic substances, in case of complications when trying to terminate a pregnancy and some other factors, the development of acute renal failure is not excluded. Diabetes, pyelonephritis, gout, intoxication with antibiotics, mercury, lead, kidney abnormalities and some other factors can also cause this pathology of a chronic nature.
Hydronephrosis
The kidney is enlarged in case of a pathological condition when its cavities are stretched due to impaired outflow of urine. This deviation is called hydronephrosis. When this disease progresses, the kidney parenchyma atrophies and, as a result, its functional ability decreases. Often, pathology is observed in women 25-35 years of age.
Hydronephrosis is divided into two types. The primary is a consequence of congenital anomalies of the urinary system, the secondary occurs due to complications of any of the diseases in it.
Kidney Ultrasound
When pain occurs in the lumbar region of the back, the cause can only be identified by this method. During the ultrasound examination, it is possible to determine how the vessels of the kidneys are located, the organs themselves, what contours they have, shape, structure, size; track the presence of neoplasms, the state of the parenchyma.
Kidney ultrasound preparation
There are some rules that must be followed before performing an ultrasound scan.
Flatulence exclusion
In the case of a tendency to bloating (flatulence), you should follow a diet for three days prior to the procedure. It is also necessary at the same time to use 2-4 tablets per day of activated carbon or Espumisan, Filtrum (according to the instructions for use). The diet is based on the exclusion of products that contribute to the formation of gases - fruits and vegetables, dairy products, legumes, black bread, carbonated drinks and others.
In the absence of a tendency to flatulence, it is recommended to adhere to the diet described above without adding drugs within three days before an ultrasound of the kidneys. Sometimes the doctor prescribes a cleansing enema, which is required to be set in the evening and in the morning before the procedure.
Drinking and Hygiene
About one hour before an ultrasound scan, you need to drink up to a liter of water. By the beginning of the procedure, the bladder should be full. If it is difficult to endure an hour after drinking, you can empty the bladder a little and drink non-carbonated liquid again.
A towel is recommended. Not every office provides a sufficient number of wipes to wipe the gel applied to the body with ultrasound of the kidneys. Also, in order not to stain expensive clothes, it is recommended to give preference to simpler wardrobe items.