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HEALTH CONDITIONS —
Kidney Disease
More than 20 million Americans have impaired kidney
(renal) function and 3 million have kidney disease. High blood pressure and
diabetes are the two most common causes of kidney disease. Mild forms of
high blood pressure can damage kidneys over several years. Severe
hypertension causes kidney malfunction over a relatively short period of
time.
African Americans have a six-fold higher incidence than
whites of kidney failure related to high blood pressure. Not only do they
develop hypertension earlier, but it tends to be more severe, consequently
Blacks have more strokes, heart failure and kidney failure than non-African
Americans.
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How The Kidney's Work
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Kidney Stones
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Additional
Information
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HOW THE KIDNEY'S WORK |
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After food is consumed and digested, the body
takes what it needs for energy and self-repair, the waste that
is left over is sent to your blood. Then the kidneys remove the
waste and extra fluid from the blood (about 2 quarts each day)
and sends it to the bladder where it is stored as urine. In
addition to removing harmful wastes, the kidneys also release
hormones that make red blood cells, regulate blood pressure and
help maintain the chemical balance of the body.
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KIDNEY STONES |
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A high salt intake can increase the amount of calcium in
your urine, which can cause stone formation. Also, medications with
thiazide will be less effective too much salt is consumed.
If you have kidney stones, you may need to follow a
special diet that is low in salt, calcium, oxalate, or protein and is
determined by why you form stones. In some cases, a special diet may be
enough to prevent the formation of more kidney stones. In other cases,
medications or a combination of a special diet and medications will be
necessary.
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ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
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 InData
Publishing
Olympia, WA
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