Kidney Transplant
Kidney Transplant
COM/150
June 6, 2010
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Kidney disease has become more prevalent over the years, one in nine Americans has chronic kidney disease, resulting in the need for a kidney transplant. Kidney failure is caused by variety of factors resulting in damage of the nephrons, which are the most important functioning unit of the kidneys. Kidney failure can be broken down into three groups: acute, chronic, end-stage. Once kidney failure is irreversible, dialysis or transplantation is the only method of survival. To avoid a kidney transplant, one needs to be aware of the pre-disposing factors, signs and symptoms, available treatments, and proper diet.
The kidneys are twin organs about the size of a fist, and are at the lowest part of the rib cage on both sides of the spine (National Kidney Foundation, 2010). They have multiple working units called nephrons. “Nephrons consist of a filtering unit of tiny blood vessels called a glomerulus which is attached to a tube” (National Kidney Foundation, 2010). In the filtering process, “the blood enters the glomerulus in which it is filtered and the remaining fluid goes through the tubule,” in which chemicals and water are added or removed depending on what the body requires. The excess fluid is then removed through urination, the final phase of the function of the kidneys (National Kidney Foundation, 2010). The kidneys also produce hormones that maintain strong bones and healthy blood.
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys cannot properly eliminate waste from the body, and this causes accumulation of fluids and waste products. There are three types of kidney failure: Acute kidney failure develops unexpectedly because of severe infection, drugs or other chemical agents, or by physical trauma. Chronic kidney failure normally occurs over years and is manifested by several symptoms such as weight loss, low blood count, and nausea. End-stage kidney disease is the final
COM/150
June 6, 2010
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Kidney disease has become more prevalent over the years, one in nine Americans has chronic kidney disease, resulting in the need for a kidney transplant. Kidney failure is caused by variety of factors resulting in damage of the nephrons, which are the most important functioning unit of the kidneys. Kidney failure can be broken down into three groups: acute, chronic, end-stage. Once kidney failure is irreversible, dialysis or transplantation is the only method of survival. To avoid a kidney transplant, one needs to be aware of the pre-disposing factors, signs and symptoms, available treatments, and proper diet.
The kidneys are twin organs about the size of a fist, and are at the lowest part of the rib cage on both sides of the spine (National Kidney Foundation, 2010). They have multiple working units called nephrons. “Nephrons consist of a filtering unit of tiny blood vessels called a glomerulus which is attached to a tube” (National Kidney Foundation, 2010). In the filtering process, “the blood enters the glomerulus in which it is filtered and the remaining fluid goes through the tubule,” in which chemicals and water are added or removed depending on what the body requires. The excess fluid is then removed through urination, the final phase of the function of the kidneys (National Kidney Foundation, 2010). The kidneys also produce hormones that maintain strong bones and healthy blood.
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys cannot properly eliminate waste from the body, and this causes accumulation of fluids and waste products. There are three types of kidney failure: Acute kidney failure develops unexpectedly because of severe infection, drugs or other chemical agents, or by physical trauma. Chronic kidney failure normally occurs over years and is manifested by several symptoms such as weight loss, low blood count, and nausea. End-stage kidney disease is the final