Did you know your kidneys filter all of your blood up to 25 times a day?
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Healthy kidneys filter about a half cup of blood every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make urine.

Gradual decrease in kidney function can begin around age 35 for most average adults, with only one-third of older adults maintaining normal kidney function. Kidney performance may worsen quickly due to such things as dehydration or adverse medication effects, which can lead to the following serious health issues:

• High blood pressure (too much fluid in the body)
• Brittle bones leading to pathologic fractures
• Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
• A build-up of waste products in the body
• Loss of protein through kidneys
• Anemia (low red blood cell counts)

The importance of regular check-ups and screening cannot be stressed enough, as symptoms of kidney problems may not appear until the kidneys are not working properly. In between those check ups, watch out for symptoms such as:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Sudden sharp pains in the back or side (kidney stones)
• Fluid retention or swelling (edema) in the arms, legs, or belly
• High blood pressure that is suddenly very difficult to control
• Increased or decreased need to urinate, including at night

In addition to maintaining kidney health, it is also a good idea to be familiar with the risk factors that increase the chance of developing kidney disease. Some examples are:

• Age 65 or older
• Male
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• African-American or Hispanic-American ancestry
• High cholesterol or blood pressure
• Smoking, lung, and liver diseases
• Recent surgery
• Family history of kidney infections