Vital kidney

The inconspicuous all-rounder in our body

Our kidneys work every day to remove toxins and end products of metabolism from the blood and to regulate the body's salt and water balance. Despite this, the organ often receives little attention.

The human body is a true marvel. And one organ that contributes significantly to this is the kidney. Every year in March, this multi-talented organ of the human body is honored on World Kidney Day.

And rightly so: "Because it is important to raise awareness of the enormous performance of our kidneys," says Professor Dr. Martin Wiesholzer, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine 1 at St. Pölten University Hospital.

1800 liters of blood in 24 hours
What the kidneys contribute to the functioning of the body: they filter our blood up to 300 times a day - this means that a total of around 1800 liters of blood flow through this organ in 24 hours. In doing so, the kidneys detoxify the body, regulate the fluid and salt balance and produce hormones. They also regulate the acid-base balance in the body.

A person can have lost up to 90 percent of their kidney function by the time the first signs become noticeable.

Primar Dr. Martin Wiesholzer, Leiter der Klinischen Abteilung für Innere Medizin 1 des Universitätsklinikums in St. Pölten

Bild: UK St. Pölten/Robert Herbst

Despite these vital functions, the kidneys are often not given the attention they deserve until it is too late. As a result, 10 percent of the world's population is affected by chronic kidney disease. The insidious thing about it is that these diseases begin insidiously, and in the early stages there are often no symptoms for the layperson to recognize. "A person can have lost up to 90 percent of their kidney function by the time the first signs become noticeable," explains Dr. Wiesholzer. And these include swollen joints, tiredness, difficulty concentrating and a reduced appetite.

(Bild: bilderzwerg/stock.adobe.com)

A healthy lifestyle for prevention
The main causes of kidney disease can be typical lifestyle diseases: Diabetes and high blood pressure. "You can prevent the risk by leading a healthy lifestyle," emphasizes the specialist. Sufficient exercise and fluid intake, ensuring that food is not too salty, avoiding obesity and smoking - this is good for the body in general and the kidneys in particular.

Professor Wiesholzer also recommends an annual check-up with your GP, where the first signs of kidney disease can be detected during a blood and urine analysis.

If the worst comes to the worst, the only option is to go to hospital. "At St. Pölten University Hospital, we offer diagnostics and treatment for all kidney diseases," says Primar Wiesholzer. This ranges from dialysis - i.e. mechanical blood washing - to transplantation: "This enables affected patients to lead a life worth living again."