Understanding Kidney Function

Understanding Kidney Function 

Your kidneys are two organs that are located at the back of your abdominal cavity, one on each side of your spine.  Your kidneys perform several life-supporting functions to keep your body healthy.  These include:

• making urine to remove waste products from your body
• controlling the amount of water that stays in your body
• controlling your body chemistry and keeping the proper balance
• releasing hormones that help control your body's blood pressure, make red blood cells and maintain bones.

If your kidneys lose their function, waste products from your blood build up.  This will make you sick.  To rid your body of waste products, you will need to start dialysis or have a kidney transplant.