BACKGROUND: According to emedicinehealth, the kidneys serve a very important function in the human body. Some of these functions include:Filtering wastes from the bloodstream
Removing toxins and chemicals from your blood
Eliminating waste and urine
Secreting hormones that regulate:
Typically, if any part of the kidney becomes damaged, it cannot be restored to its original function, unless the patient undergoes a transplant.
WHY KIDNEYS FAIL: There are many factors that can cause one's kidney's to fail. Emedicinehealth explains kidney failure can happen quickly (known as acute kidney failure) or very slowly over time (known as chronic kidney failure).
Both types of kidney failure can be the result of primary kidney disease or can be inherited. Infections and certain substances, such as alcohol and drugs, can damage the kidneys and cause permanent, long-term damage.
WHO'S AT RISK: While kidney failure can happen to anyone, there are certain people who are at higher risk of developing kidney disease than others. Some of those people include those who have had:
Diabetes
Sickle cell anemia
Major surgery
Severe burns
Heart disease/heart attack
Vascular diseases -- any condition that blocks blood flow to various body parts
Liver disease/liver failure
High blood pressure, especially if it's uncontrolled
AN ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY: Researchers at University of California, San Francisco have unveiled a prototype model of the first implantable artificial kidney. The device uses thousands of microscopic filters to mimic the filtering role of a real kidney. One side filters out toxins while the other reabsorbs salts and water to maintain overall fluid and electrolyte balance. The rest is dumped as waste. The device is designed to eliminate the need for dialysis and immune-suppressant drugs. Researchers project it could save $15 billion per year out of the $25 billion that Medicare spends on treating kidney failure patients in the United States.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Kristen Bole, UCSF News Office
(415) 502-NEWS
Kristen.Bole@ucsf.edu
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