Kidneys – What Are They?

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine.

Every day, the two kidneys filter about 113.562 litres to 141.953 litres of blood to produce about 0.946353 litres to 1.89271 litres of urine per day, composed of wastes and extra fluid.

Why Are Kidneys Important?

What Affects The Kidneys?Acute Renal

Failure• Traumatic injury

with blood loss• Dehydration• Shock from

infection known as sepsis

• Obstruction of urine flow

• Damage from certain drugs or toxins

• Pregnancy complications such as eclampsia and pre-eclampsia

Chronic Kidney Disease

• Lupus• HIV/Aids• Hepatitis B & C• Urinary tract

infections• Inflammation• Polycystic kidney

disease• Congenital

defects• Drugs and toxins

like ibuprofen; antibiotics; panadol; aspirin; naproxen and ‘street’ drugs

Lifestyle

• Smoking• Alcohol• Holding your

urine too long• Too little water

consumption• High salt intake• High meat diet• Not eating

enough• Not resting

enough• Too little daily

sunshine• Lack of exercise• Diabetes• High blood

pressure

How To Avoid Kidney Disease Change your lifestyle Change your attitude Eat more raw foods Drink more water Exercise gently for 30 minutes every

day Spend at least 20 minutes in the sun

daily Avoid all the things that cause

Kidney disease