Understanding kidney disease

Humans have a right and a left kidney, which are oval organs about the size of a fist that lie to either side of the spine. The primary function of the kidneys is to filter waste products, excess sodium, and water from the blood, and help eliminate them from the body.

Kidney problems can be either acute or chronic. Do you know the difference, and what your risk is for them?

The symptoms of kidney failure depend on its severity and whether the kidney failure is acute or chronic.

Kidney health can be threatened by diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney stones. Learn more about preventing kidney disease and keeping your kidneys healthy.

The diagnosis of kidney disease is usually made from the results of several tests. Since symptoms usually appear later in kidney disease, routine lab test results may be the first indicator that kidney disease is present.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs when your kidneys are functioning at less than 15% of normal. At this stage, your kidneys are no longer able to work well enough to keep you alive, and you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.