Month: March 2024
Kidney Health: Location, Functions and How They Change Throughout Your Lifetime
If you’re considering a career in renal healthcare or are simply curious about organ functionality, you may have pondered the changes in your kidney health over time. While kidneys would ideally function flawlessly from birth to the golden years, that’s not the case. We experience countless changes as we progress through life, and our renal systems are no exception, undergoing their own evolutionary process.
In this article, we’ll explore the basics of kidney health, including their location, function and how their role evolves throughout your life.
Where Are the Kidneys Located?
Think back to playing Operation as a kid. Did you know where the kidneys were?
These two fist-sized organs sit in the back of the abdomen, just below the rib cage on either side of the spine. The right kidney is slightly lower than the left to make room for the liver. Layers of fat and muscle cushion and protect your kidneys, ensuring they function properly.
What Do the Kidneys Do, Exactly?
Kidney beans earned their name for a reason: They share a resemblance with the two kidneys situated below your rib cage. These fist-sized organs play a crucial role in how your body functions. They’re part of the urinary system, which comprises the bladder, ureters and urethra.
The kidneys’ primary function is to filter about 150 quarts of blood each day, removing waste and maintaining a healthy balance of water, minerals and salts. The filtered waste transforms into urine, which then travels through the ureter to the bladder, ultimately being expelled from the body.
Kidney Health From Infancy to Geriatrics
Below, we break down how your kidneys’ function and overall health alters throughout a person’s lifespan:
Infants
At around 36 weeks in utero, a baby’s kidneys reach structural completion. Despite this, their renal function remains immature, meaning that they’re not yet operating at optimal capacity. Fortunately, in the first few weeks after birth, as the baby adapts to breathing air and feeding, renal function matures rapidly.
Children
Throughout childhood and adolescence, the kidneys typically operate normally, working 24 hours a day to filter blood and eliminate waste from the body. However, some children are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal failure. Approximately 10,000 children in the United States fall under this category and depend on dialysis treatments until they can undergo a kidney transplant.
There are several potential causes of kidney disease in children, including:
- Birth defects
- Hereditary diseases
- Infection
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Urine blockage
Adults
The most effective method for assessing kidney function is by measuring a person’s Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). This measurement indicates how well the glomeruli, the small structures in the kidneys responsible for filtering blood, are functioning.
Most people have their highest (and healthiest) GFR rates around the age of 30, with a number anywhere from 90 to 120. At this point, a person’s GFR usually begins a very gradual decline that will continue dropping for the remainder of their lives. However, a slow decrease in GFR is normal and isn’t usually a cause for concern.
Older Adults
Around the age of 60, a person’s risk of CKD increases as their kidney function decreases. John Hopkins University estimates that more than half of seniors over age 75 have kidney disease. Not all people with kidney disease notice symptoms, so it’s important to schedule regular checkups with your doctor and test for kidney disease annually.
How Can I Maintain Good Kidney Health?
Besides consulting your primary care physician for assessments of your kidney and overall organ health, there are daily activities you can include in your routine to maintain optimal kidney health:
- Stay hydrated
One way to help your kidneys is by drinking water throughout the day. Being hydrated can help you flush out toxins more quickly and lubricate your joints. It’s a win-win!
- Incorporate a diet for kidney health
Blood pressure plays a role in your kidney health, so try to limit your sodium intake. In addition, focus on heart-healthy foods that minimize the amount of fat building up in your kidneys, such as lean meats, fish, beans, vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy products.
- Monitor your blood pressure
Incorporate multiple strategies to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. Consider adding regular exercise to your schedule, limiting alcohol intake and effectively managing your stress levels. These lifestyle adjustments can help support optimal blood pressure levels, as maintaining normal blood pressure is crucial for safeguarding your kidney health.
- Avoid excess caffeine
We appreciate a hot cup of coffee as much as the next person, but too much caffeine can lead to dehydration, which makes it harder for your kidneys to adequately filter blood. Aim for a maximum of 400 milligrams of caffeine each day, while drinking plenty of water in between caffeinated beverages.
Gain Insight Into Renal Physiology With an Online Graduate Certificate From UF
If you’re interested in kidney health across all age groups, there are numerous career paths in renal medicine to explore, including roles such as nephrologist, renal nurse, transplant coordinator or renal pharmacist.
No matter which career piques your interest, the first step to becoming a medical professional is choosing a graduate program that’ll distinguish you from other med school applicants. That’s where UF comes in.
Our 12-credit online Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular/Renal Physiology is ideal for busy working students interested in gaining a wealth of knowledge about advanced renal physiology and pathophysiology. You can complete the coursework at your own pace, earning your graduate certificate in as little as one year or in a timeframe that aligns with your schedule.
Ready to jumpstart your career in renal medicine? Apply to our graduate certificate program today!
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8006805/
https://nccd.cdc.gov/ckd/AreYouAware.aspx?emailDate=July_2017
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/children
https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/siemens_hcp_gf
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work
Cutting-Edge Insulin Delivery Systems
For over a century, insulin has been a lifeline for millions, helping to regulate blood sugar and keep diabetes in check. But gone are the days of relying solely on painful daily injections. As we mark 100 years since insulin’s groundbreaking discovery, let’s explore how this game-changing hormone — and the way it’s delivered — has evolved, making diabetes management easier and more advanced than ever.
What Is the Role of Insulin in Diabetes?
Insulin plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar by helping glucose move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where we use it for energy. In people with diabetes, this process is disrupted in one of two key ways:
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, preventing the body from producing insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes happens when the body doesn’t use insulin effectively or doesn’t produce enough.
Without proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and long-term health risks.
So, how does insulin actually work?
When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose (a simple sugar). Insulin, produced by the pancreas, acts like a key, unlocking cells so they can absorb and use glucose for energy in activities like movement, healing and even basics like breathing.
In type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin altogether, making daily insulin therapy essential. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or produces too little of it, which can often be managed with lifestyle changes, medication or insulin therapy.
Before researchers discovered insulin, diabetes was often fatal. Today, advances in insulin production and delivery have made it possible for millions to manage the disease and live longer, healthier lives.
Early Insulin Extraction and Breakthroughs
In 1921, scientists first isolated insulin, extracting it from the pancreas of animals and successfully using it to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. This breakthrough paved the way for insulin as a life-saving treatment. Pharmaceutical companies soon began mass-producing insulin, using animal-derived sources until synthetic versions were developed.
From Animal to Synthetic Insulin
While early insulin treatments relied on extracts from cows and pigs, researchers eventually developed synthetic human insulin in the 1980s. This bioengineered insulin, created using recombinant DNA technology, closely mimicked naturally produced insulin and reduced the risk of allergic reactions. Over time, synthetic insulin formulations became more precise, offering longer-lasting and faster-acting options to better regulate blood sugar levels.
Advances in Insulin Delivery
Modern insulin delivery has evolved far beyond syringes. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have made managing diabetes more convenient.
Devices like insulin pumps provide a steady supply of insulin through a small tube inserted under the skin, eliminating the need for multiple daily injections. Some pumps even integrate with CGMs to adjust insulin levels automatically, bringing diabetes management closer to the function of a healthy pancreas.
Let’s look at some of these modern methods of insulin delivery and how they have made staying healthy more convenient for diabetics:
Automated Insulin Delivery Systems
The first FDA-approved automated insulin delivery (AID) system, the MiniMed 670G, marked a major breakthrough in diabetes management. Often called an “artificial pancreas,” this device continuously monitors glucose levels and delivers insulin as needed.
Since then, newer models like the MiniMed 780G have improved algorithm accuracy, reduced the need for manual input and provided even greater glycemic control, especially for teens and young adults with Type 1 diabetes.
Pediatric Specific Technology
In 2020, the MiniMed 770G became the first AID system approved for children as young as 2 years old. The MiniMed 770G allows young children to receive their insulin doses when they’re at daycare or otherwise away from their parents. It’s also beneficial in situations where children may resist receiving injections.
Tubeless Insulin Delivery
We live in a technicolor (and tech-filled) world. With devices like the Omnipod 5, people with diabetes can access tubeless insulin delivery that integrates seamlessly with their smartphones via Bluetooth. Through an app, users can monitor glucose levels, adjust settings and receive real-time alerts. This offers greater freedom, flexibility and peace of mind in their day-to-day lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re curious about how insulin works or considering graduate study in medical sciences, here are answers to a few common questions to guide your next steps:
- What is the role of insulin in managing diabetes?
Insulin helps regulate blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells, where it’s used for energy. In people with diabetes, this process is impaired: either the body doesn’t produce insulin (Type 1) or doesn’t use it effectively (Type 2). Without proper insulin function, blood sugar levels rise and can lead to serious health complications.
- How do insulin pumps work compared to injections?
Insulin pumps deliver a continuous supply of insulin through a small catheter under the skin, helping mimic the body’s natural insulin release. Unlike injections, which are typically administered several times a day, pumps allow for more precise and flexible control of blood sugar levels.
Build Expertise in Endocrine System Function and Beyond at UF
The University of Florida proudly offers several online graduate credentials in the medical sciences. Whether you’re looking to advance your career in endocrinology, biomedical research or diabetes education or want to branch into other areas of health science like medical anatomy, physiology or public health, UF has a program to support your goals.
As a student, you’ll be able to access your courses entirely online through a virtual classroom that enables you to complete coursework at your own pace, from almost any location. No campus-based classes are required.
Some of our current online programs include:
You can explore our full list of online programs here. If you have questions or need help choosing the program that best fits your goals, reach out to one of our Student Outreach and Engagement Specialists (yes, they’re real people). And when you’re ready to take the next step, the fill out an application.
Sources:
https://diatribe.org/automated-insulin-delivery
https://diatribe.org/tech-horizon-automated-insulin-delivery-systems-coming-2020
https://www.endocrineweb.com/guides/insulin/insulin-pump-overview
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7261311/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27820140/
https://socratic.org/questions/what-body-system-is-the-pancreas-a-part-of
The Global Dialysis Crisis: Challenges and Pathways to Universal Access
Currently, more than 2 million people worldwide undergo recurring dialysis treatments to address their failing kidneys, in hopes that the treatment will help maintain their overall health and well-being. Despite this seemingly significant number, did you know that there are around 18 million people who require dialysis treatments but face challenges in accessing them?
In this article, we’re examining what dialysis is and exploring some possible solutions for the pressing questions posed above, aiming to unravel this underlying healthcare disparity.
What Is Dialysis—and Why Do So Many People Need It?
Your kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from your blood. When they stop functioning properly due to acute kidney injury or kidney failure, dialysis helps to remove the waste that your kidneys cannot.
Dialysis patients typically undergo their treatments at hospitals, dialysis centers or at home. During each session, blood is drawn from the body through an access area connected by a needle. Once withdrawn, the blood is filtered through a dialysis machine to remove harmful substances before being returned to the body.
Without these treatments, individuals with kidney failure experience a buildup of toxins and potential fluid retention in the body. In such cases, they often exhibit a range of symptoms indicating deteriorating health, including decreased immune function and anemia. Over a period of days or weeks, this greatly increases their risk of death.
What’s the Hold Up? The Barriers to Universal Dialysis
While producing a sufficient number of dialysis machines for all 20 million people in need is a monumental challenge, it’s not the only thing impeding universal dialysis treatment. Other obstacles include:
- Financial barriers
The annual cost of dialysis varies considerably based on your location. In Cameroon, it averages around $1,560 per year, while in the Netherlands, it amounts to approximately $89,958 annually. In the United States, however, the annual cost depends on factors such as individual insurance status, type of dialysis received, and treatment frequency. Often, the financial burden surpasses what the individual undergoing treatments can afford, posing challenges in keeping up with payments.
- Geographic disparities
Unfortunately, not every region in the world has an adequate number of dialysis treatment facilities or machines to treat patients. People who live in remote or underserved areas sometimes find difficulty in receiving treatments on time, often due to longer travel times, logistical challenges and economic struggles.
- Education and Awareness
Sometimes, patients don’t receive information regarding the importance of early intervention and the health-related consequences that can result without treatment. This can lead many individuals to delay seeking medical assistance or foregoing treatment altogether.
How Do We Make Dialysis Accessible to Everyone?
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will the infrastructure that improves dialysis availability. However, with solutions in place and people who work toward enacting them, the hope is that one day, treatments will be more readily available to those who need them.
Below, we explore some of the possible strategies that healthcare providers and researchers can work toward implementing:
- Healthcare Policy Reform
Physicians and healthcare workers can advocate for healthcare policies that support increased funding for renal care. This increases the likelihood that dialysis will be covered by insurance or government programs, alleviating the financial burden currently placed on many patients.
- Preventative Care
There’s no time like the present to emphasize the importance of preventative care and early detection of kidney-related issues. With the help of public health campaigns and increased education, many people have the potential to better understand and monitor their kidney health before the need for dialysis becomes necessary.
- Research and Innovation
Dialysis treatments began in 1945, prolonging and saving hundreds of thousands of lives since their inception. However, with a few innovative efforts from the scientific community, it may be possible to develop more cost-effective and accessible dialysis technologies, such as portable or home-based options.
- Advocacy and Public Support
As an individual in the medical field, you can encourage advocacy efforts that raise public awareness and support for “dialysis for all.” Raise awareness by actively participating in community events, sharing informative resources, and being part of the collective voice that influences policymakers and drives the change you want to see.
Change Starts with You: Forge Your Path at UF
If you’re passionate about global kidney health, you’re not alone. At the University of Florida, we equip like-minded individuals who share that passion and aspire to build a career in cardiovascular and renal physiology.
With an online Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology specializing in Cardiovascular/Renal Physiology, you’ll gain a competitive advantage among students with similar goals, whether you’re preparing for the MCAT or applying to medical schools.
Our online program consists of 12 credits and can be completed in as little as two semesters, or you can stretch them out to fit your busy schedule. That’s the beauty of being an online student. We afford you the flexibility to complete your work when it’s convenient to you, giving you the time to perfect your work-life balance while earning a top-tier graduate credential to add to your resume.
When you’re ready to start your next chapter, complete your application and embark on a journey toward advancing your expertise in cardiovascular and renal physiology.
Sources:
https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/global-facts-about-kidney-disease#
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/special-topic/dialysis-hemodialysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8729831/
The Science of Sunlight: Immune System Benefits and Risks Explained
You’ve heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what about nature’s other daily remedy, sunlight?
Advancements in Biotechnology for Diabetes Management
Prior to the discovery and use of insulin as a treatment for diabetes in the 1920s, people living with the disease had few treatment options, and essentially no good ones: bloodletting, starvation diets and various potions deceptively marketed as cures.
How Hormonal Changes Affect Women’s Mental Health
Ever feel completely off — tired, overwhelmed or emotional — and don’t know why? Your hormones might be to blame. We often think of hormones in terms of fertility, but they also play a crucial role in mental health. Recent research shows that hormonal changes can affect your mood, motivation and cognitive function.
