What Are Kidneys?
How many kidneys do most people have?
2
Main job of the kidneys
Filter waste from blood
What happens when kidneys can’t filter waste?
Waste builds up in the body
Drinking enough of this helps your kidneys
Water
True or False: You only use your kidneys when you drink water
False
What shape are kidneys often compared to?
Bean-shaped
What liquid do kidneys produce?
Urine
Name a treatment for kidney failure
Dialysis or transplant
Healthy urine color should be…
Light yellow
How many kidneys do you need to survive?
1
Where are your kidneys located?
In your lower back, on either side of your spine
Name one thing kidneys help balance in your body
Water, salt, or chemicals
True or False: Kidney disease always has early symptoms
False
Too much of this can harm kidneys over time
Salt (or junk food/processed food)
Your kidneys help control this important body function
Blood pressure
Can a person live with only one kidney?
Yes
What is the tiny filtering unit inside kidneys called?
Nephron
Name one cause of kidney damage
High blood pressure, diabetes, poor diet, dehydration
Name one habit that keeps kidneys healthy
Staying hydrated, eating balanced meals, exercising, avoiding too much soda
What percentage of urine is water?
About 95%
About how big is each kidney?
About the size of a fist
About how much blood do your kidneys filter each day?
About 50 gallons
What is the name of the machine that cleans your blood when kidneys fail?
Dialysis machine
Why is drinking too little water harmful to your kidneys?
It makes it harder to remove waste and can lead to damage or kidney stones
About how many nephrons are in ONE kidney?
About 1 million