Munuaisfunktion

Munaisfunktion, or kidney function, describes the activities of the kidneys in maintaining homeostasis: filtering blood, removing waste, balancing fluids and electrolytes, and supporting metabolic processes. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space. Each kidney contains about a million nephrons, the microscopic units responsible for filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

Key functions include glomerular filtration to form urine, tubular reabsorption and secretion to reclaim needed substances and eliminate waste, and regulation of acid-base balance and blood pressure through fluid balance and hormones such as renin. The kidneys also produce erythropoietin, stimulating red blood cell production, and activate vitamin D to regulate calcium metabolism.

Assessment of kidney function commonly uses the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated from serum creatinine, age, sex, and race. Other markers include blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urinalysis for protein, blood, or glucose. Urine output is another indicator; oliguria may signal dysfunction.

Kidney dysfunction can be acute (AKI) or chronic (CKD). AKI is rapid loss of function often due to dehydration, toxins, or obstruction. CKD is a progressive decline caused by diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, or inherited diseases. Symptoms may include edema, fatigue, reduced urine, and electrolyte disturbances.

Management focuses on treating the underlying cause, controlling blood pressure and diabetes, avoiding nephrotoxins, and using dialysis or kidney transplantation in advanced CKD. Prevention emphasizes hydration, healthy blood pressure, glycemic control, and regular screening in at-risk groups.