Blood, kidneys, urologic system afflict millions

[Guest guest]

Diseases of the kidneys, urologic system, and blood are among the most critical

health problems in the U.S. They afflict millions of Americans, including

children and young adults. The NIDDK supports basic and clinical research

studies of the kidney and urinary tract and disorders of the blood and

blood-forming organs. The goal is to increase understanding of kidney, urologic,

and hematologic diseases to enhance prevention and treatment strategies.

Normal, healthy kidneys filter about 200 quarts of blood each day, generating

about 2 quarts of excess fluid, salts, and waste products that are excreted as

urine. Loss of function of these organs, even for a short period of time or due

to gradual deterioration, can result in life-threatening complications. Whether

kidney function is lost suddenly or slowly represents an important health

challenge.

Chronic kidney disease has two main causes: high blood pressure and diabetes.

Recent estimates put the number of Americans with chronic kidney disease at more

than 23 million.1 If unchecked, the recent increases in obesity and type 2

diabetes in the U.S.— especially among children and adolescents—have grave

implications, as individuals are likely to face any secondary health

consequences at an earlier age than people who develop these conditions as

middle-aged adults.

Chronic kidney disease, especially if undetected, can progress to irreversible

kidney failure, a condition known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with

ESRD require dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. At the close of 2008,

nearly 550,000 patients were receiving treatment for ESRD: over 380,000 were

undergoing dialysis and over 165,000 were living with a kidney transplant.

Racial minorities, particularly African Americans, Hispanics, and American

Indians, bear a disproportionate burden of chronic kidney disease and ESRD.

African Americans are nearly four times more likely to develop kidney failure as

non-Hispanic whites. American Indians and Hispanics have twice the risk for

kidney failure as do non-Hispanic whites.2

The NIDDK supports a significant body of research aimed at understanding the

biology underlying chronic kidney disease. The Institute’s chronic renal

diseases program supports basic and clinical research on kidney development and

disease, including the causes of kidney disease; the underlying mechanisms

leading to progression of kidney disease to ESRD; and the identification and

testing of possible treatments to prevent development or halt progression of

kidney disease. Also of interest are studies of inherited diseases such as

polycystic kidney disease, congenital kidney disorders, and immune-related

kidney diseases such as IgA nephropathy and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The Institute’s National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) is designed to

raise awareness about the problem of kidney disease and steps that should be

taken to treat chronic kidney disease and prevent kidney failure. It represents

a major educational outreach effort to patients, physicians, and the public. In

October 2010, NKDEP hosted a meeting titled " Translating Chronic Kidney Disease

Research into Improved Clinical Outcomes. " It focused on research to identify

factors that lead to adoption, maintenance, and sustainability of science-based

interventions in real-world clinical settings.

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Some common blood tests:

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Electrolites we need to watch for in test results:

BILIRUBIN, TOTAL - A form of bile; liver function test

BUN - (blood urea nitrogen) kidney function, urea is the chief end product of

protein meta~s·

CREATININE 1 Kidney function

GLUCOSE Iblood sugar) used mainly to diagnosis diabetes

IRON - mineral, screening for blood loss or certain anemias

POTASSIUM - keeps a normal water· balance between cells and body fluids and

plays essential in the response of nerves to stimulation and contraction of

muscles

PROTEIN, TOTAL/ALBUMIN/N/BLOGULIN/A/G RATIO - Liver/kidney .function tests,

interpretation der on all results

SODIIM`- regulates cellular fluid balance in this ase a T-3 a anC:

T-4 - thyroid function test/hormones can falsely elevate this test, FTI should

also be done

TIRIGLYCERIDES - a fat like substance- composed of three fatty acids, found

mostly in sweets.-; starches and alcohol

URIC ACID - kidney function; used mainly to rule out gout, elevation of this can

cause stc_

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FYI,

Lottie Duthu