Kidneys are one of the most important organs of the human excretory system. If the normal activity of this filtration apparatus is disturbed, this is fraught with self-poisoning of the body, the development of edema, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders.
Structure of the kidneys
There are two kidneys in the body, they look like beans and are located in the retroperitoneal space on both sides of the spine at waist level. Every person who has ever suffered an inflammatory disease of the excretory system, and who knows the symptoms of chronic nephritis, perfectly knows where they are. The size of the kidneys is small, and the mass does not exceed 200 g. The organ consists of two layers: the outer (cortical) and the inner (cerebral). From the side of the spine, the kidney is connected 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 onmicroscopic 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. The capillaries are formed as a result of branching of the afferent 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 has time to pass through the kidneys, and the total length of the tubules of the kidneys reaches 100 km.
Kidney Functions
The number of nephrons in the kidneys is impressive: there are a million of them in each of them. About 200 liters of primary urine is filtered through the glomeruli of these structural units per day, which is similar in composition to blood plasma, only devoid of proteins and contains many substances necessary for the body. In the convoluted tubules, most substances are reabsorbed into the blood, as well as secretion, that is, the release of a number of substances 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 the excretory function, the kidneys also perform endocrine and metabolic functions, and also maintain a stable water-s alt and acid-base balance, take an active part in hematopoiesis, repeatedly pumping all the blood through themselves in the human body and purifying it throughout the day from unnecessary substances.
Kidney disease
Kidney diseases are characterized bysome 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 extremities also indicate a violation of the function 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 general symptoms: increased fatigue, discoloration of the skin, poor appetite, and others.
Jades are not one, but a group of diseases that are united by the presence of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the kidneys. According to 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 only affect its honor (focal form). In acute forms, the symptoms are clearly pronounced, the body temperature rises greatly, but chronic nephritis is a disease that may well be asymptomatic.
The main types of jade. Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is the most common inflammatory disease of the kidneys and is caused by a bacterial infection that enters the kidneys either through the bloodstream or through the urinary tract. In this case, the pelvicalyceal system of the kidney is affected. Chronic nephritis of this type can suffer from those who at one time suffered an acute phase of the disease.and did not complete his treatment. Such people should more closely monitor their condition: properly build a diet, avoid hypothermia. Expectant mothers are at risk of getting pyelonephritis, as the growing fetus squeezes the ureters.
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is also called glomerular nephritis. It is often based on immune inflammation of the glomeruli of nephrons, which occurs under the influence of the body's own antibodies, but the disease can also be allergic in nature after infections of both a viral and bacterial nature. The action of toxic substances (alcohol, drugs, mercury) can also cause glomerulonephritis.
It was already mentioned above that it is the glomeruli that act as filters in the body. If their proper work is disturbed, the substances necessary for the body begin to enter the urine, and decay products cease to be excreted from it. The person suffers from general weakness, lower back pain, nausea, edema, shortness of breath, and impaired urination. A feature of chronic nephritis of this type is the alternation of periods of remission with episodes of exacerbations of symptoms. The disease, if not adequately treated, may result in chronic renal failure.
Interstitial nephritis
Interstitial nephritis is a disease in which the intermediate tissue and nephron tubules are affected. This happens as a result of the use of drugs, in particular antibiotics anddiuretics, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, against the background of some bacterial and viral infections, which in this case are not the cause, but a catalyst that provokes the disease. Among the causes of this disease are poisoning with toxins and damage from the action of ionizing radiation. Since interstitial nephritis is characterized by dysfunction of the tubules, and inflammation does not spread 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 turns into chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. The developing pathological process eventually leads to the appearance of symptoms of intoxication of the body. It is quite difficult to diagnose this type of chronic nephritis. Patients complain of dry mouth, constant thirst, but urination disorders, so characteristic of other renal diseases, may not be observed at the initial stage, lower back pain is mild, but a common occurrence is the appearance of an allergic rash on the body. If chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis is an unspecified diagnosis, then a diagnostic test such as a puncture biopsy of the kidney will help to reliably verify the presence or absence of this disease.
Treatment of chronic nephritis
Chronic kidney nephritis is almost always the result of undertreated acute nephritis. Sometimes, though 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 the wrinkling of organs.
Treatment of chronic nephritis depends, of course, on the type of disease. But a number of general rules can be distinguished. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the foci of infections in the body with the help of medicines. Physical activity, stress, hypothermia should be avoided. During exacerbations, strict bed rest is necessary. It is allowed to prescribe diuretics, hormone therapy. However, drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor. Kidney problems are too serious 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. Be sure to limit or completely eliminate s alt intake. Meat and fish are recommended to be boiled or baked, but not fried. Doctors advise to reduce fluid intake to 1 liter per day. Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, hot spices 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 protect yourself from infections, hypothermia and not to load the body with intense physical exertion. In addition, any medications, including anti-inflammatorydrugs and analgesics should be used with caution, only according to indications and under the supervision of a physician.
