Kidneys are most vital organs for survival of the organsisms. Though the kidneys remain active throughout the life, its efficiency gradually declines with normal ageing process. For example, its activity declines to about 50% by the age of 70 in human beings. The other causes of decline in the normal functioning of kidneys are diseases such as kidney infection, injury or restricted blood flow to kidneys. These abnormalities result in kidney damage and malfunctioning. A general term for decline in the performance of kidney due to a disease is kidney failure. Though it is not common, it may result to death within a couple of weeks if not treated properly. Kidney failure is often due to build up of potassium ions which causes heart failure.
The failure of both kidneys immediately need medical intervention. There are two alternatives of kidney failure (i) A matching kidney from a healthy person may be transplanted, or (ii) An 'artificial kidney' machine may be employed in order to get rid of metabolic wastes from the blood and to maintain normal levels of water and mineral ions in body fluids. The artificial kidney functions on the same principle as the normal kidney and the procedure is called dialysis. The blood is pumped out of the body and made to flow into the dialysis machine. Heparin is added to the blood to prevent clotting. The blood circulates slowly through the long cellulose tubes coiled in a tank filled with dialysing solution. The cellulose membrane allows ions, very small molecules and water to diffuse through it. The blood corpuscles, platelets and protein molecules are too large and do not pass through the membrane. Finally the cleansed blood is pumped back into patient.
If you have still any doubts on this question, Then feel free to comment us or use our Whatsapp No. 6370805187.
The failure of both kidneys immediately need medical intervention. There are two alternatives of kidney failure (i) A matching kidney from a healthy person may be transplanted, or (ii) An 'artificial kidney' machine may be employed in order to get rid of metabolic wastes from the blood and to maintain normal levels of water and mineral ions in body fluids. The artificial kidney functions on the same principle as the normal kidney and the procedure is called dialysis. The blood is pumped out of the body and made to flow into the dialysis machine. Heparin is added to the blood to prevent clotting. The blood circulates slowly through the long cellulose tubes coiled in a tank filled with dialysing solution. The cellulose membrane allows ions, very small molecules and water to diffuse through it. The blood corpuscles, platelets and protein molecules are too large and do not pass through the membrane. Finally the cleansed blood is pumped back into patient.
If you have still any doubts on this question, Then feel free to comment us or use our Whatsapp No. 6370805187.