World Kidney Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of March every year. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of kidneys and the diseases that can affect them. Your kidneys are vital organs that perform many essential functions in your body.

Here are ten fascinating facts about your kidneys that you may not know.

Fact 1 – Your Kidneys Filter Your Blood

Your kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products and excess fluid from your blood. They keep the composition of your blood stable by removing harmful substances and retaining essential ones. This process is necessary for maintaining good health.

Fact 2 – Your Kidneys Regulate Your Blood Pressure

Your kidneys play a crucial role in regulating your blood pressure. They produce a hormone called renin that helps to control your blood pressure by constricting or dilating your blood vessels.

Fact 3 – Your Kidneys Produce Urine

Your kidneys produce urine by filtering waste products and excess fluid from your blood. Urine is stored in your bladder until you are ready to empty it.

Fact 4 – Your Kidneys Help to Regulate Your Fluid Balance

Your kidneys help to regulate your fluid balance by adjusting the amount of water and electrolytes that you retain or excrete. This process is essential for maintaining healthy blood volume and composition.

Fact 5 – Your Kidneys Activate Vitamin D

Your kidneys play a crucial role in activating vitamin D. They convert an inactive form of vitamin D into an active form that helps to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in your bones and blood.

Fact 6 – Your Kidneys Produce Erythropoietin

Your kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin that stimulates the production of red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to your body’s tissues, and a deficiency in erythropoietin can result in anemia.

Fact 7 – Your Kidneys Help to Eliminate Medications

Your kidneys help to eliminate medications from your body by filtering them from your blood and excreting them in your urine. This process is essential for preventing harmful side-effects from medications.

Fact 8 – Your Kidneys Can Be Harmed by Certain Diseases and Conditions

Your kidneys can be damaged by various diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney stones. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to chronic kidney disease, which can be life-threatening.

Fact 9 – Your Kidneys Can Be Affected by Lifestyle Factors

Your kidneys can be affected by lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and a high salt and sugar diet. These factors can increase your risk of developing kidney disease and should be avoided or limited.

Fact 10 – Your Kidneys Can Be Damaged by Certain Medications

Your kidneys can be damaged by certain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs.

It is essential to take medications only as prescribed and to consult your doctor if you have concerns about kidney function.

Conclusion

Your kidneys are vital organs that perform many essential functions in your body. They filter your blood, regulate your blood pressure, produce urine, and help to eliminate waste products, among other things.

Understanding the importance of your kidneys and taking steps to protect them is crucial for maintaining good health.