The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the lower back. Their main function is to remove waste from the body and to balance the water and electrolyte content of the blood by filtering the salt and water in the blood. In a diseased state, either of these processes may become compromised.

• Overview: kidney failure
• Acute renal failure
• Chronic renal failure

• Dialysis
• Kidney biopsy
• Kidney transplant
• Nephrectomy
• Nephrostomy
• Pyeloplasty
• Robot-assisted urological procedures

In her own words: living with kidney failure

Living day-to-day with kidney dialysis

The immune system and organ transplant: what you should know

What can I do about kidney disease?

Most types of kidney disease are irreversible, but lowering the burden on the kidneys will slow further deterioration. Keeping yourself in the best general health will help keep you in the best health possible.

Eat a diet rich in calcium

Calcium helps reduce your risk for these serious health conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney stones, and possibly colon cancer. Learn more here.

Limiting potassium in your diet

If you have kidney disease, you may need to limit the potassium in your diet. Read more to find out how.

Copper

Copper is a trace mineral that is essential for human health. It works with enzymes, which are proteins that aid in the biochemical reactions of every cell. If you have kidney disease you may need more copper in your diet. Read more here about copper.

Gout

Gout is recurrent attacks of joint inflammation caused by a build up of uric acid crystals. If the crystals accumulate in the kidneys, kidney stones may result. Learn more about gout here.

Medications for gout

Medications are the primary treatment for gout. There are a number of medications used to treat gout. Learn about the medications here.

• Acute cystitis
• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
• Glomerular disease
• Legionnaire's disease
• Pleural effusion
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Urethritis