Kidneys Are Vitals For Life, Major Functions

Kidneys perform vital role in normal functioning of our body.

• These maintain the fluid balance of body. Excess of water passes out in urine and in case of dehydration, water is retained.
• Electrolyte homeostasis (Na+, K+, Cl-, H+, HCO3-, Ca++, Mg++, PO43-) is also maintained by Kidneys.
• These also excrete drugs, urea, creatinine and other toxic and harmful waste products of metabolism from our body through urine. These substances will pile up in blood, if Kidneys don’t function properly. Excess of these toxic substances can cause serious metabolic, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, threatening health and life.
• Kidneys also excrete hormones which help to control blood pressure (renin), production of RBCs in blood, (erythropoietin) and 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D3. Briefly kidneys are one of those vital parts of our body, without which, life is impossible. If kidneys stop functioning, the health of the patient start deteriorating rapidly and in advance cases, the support of dialysis and kidney transplants become mandatory.