What is Normal Kidney and How to Prevent Kidney Diseases

A normal kidney consists of about 1 million filtering units called a glomerulus which collects urine by connection to the tubule. For a kidney to be called normal, it will depend on how it removes the waste and excess fluid from the blood.

The test called Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is used to calculate the normal creatinine levels with age and gender factors. eGFR value more than 90 is considered normal and eGFR below 60 depicts the signs of kidney problems. But this value differs according to age, as you get older it can decrease.

What do you mean by a normal kidney?

We have two kidneys located at the back of the abdomen which is 5 to 6 inches long and bean-shaped. These kidneys are joint to the aorta by renal artery were 20 per cent of blood flow leaving the heart.

The main function of the kidney is to remove toxic waste, excess fluids and impurities from the blood, but it can also help in controlling blood pressure, producing erythropoietin, and balancing calcium and phosphate contents in your body for healthy bone.

From a test like a blood test, estimating eGFR/GFR value, imaging test, creatinine clearance test and kidney biopsy, you will come to know how well your kidney is performing.

Normal kidney size in adults

The average normal kidney size in adults ranges from 10 to 15 cm and in general, the left kidney is slightly longer. The size of the kidney is measure using sonography.

Normal kidney function by age

In adults, the value estimated using eGFR will be more than 90 but it decreases as you get older even though you don’t have kidney disease. Refer to the below chart for the average eGFR value based on age.

World Kidney Day

As a global campaign, World Kidney Day is celebrated every year on March 11 to create awareness regarding the importance of the kidney to your overall health and reduce the impact of kidney disease.

This year on March 11, 2021 (Thursday), World Kidney Day will be celebrated on the theme ‘Living well with kidney disease‘ all over the world.

Top 5 Important health numbers to achieve normal kidney

1. Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) value

eGFR value of more than 90 is viewed as normal and if your eGFR value shows lower than 60 the test, you should talk with your doctor for advice and medications.

2. Blood glucose

Diabetes is one of the leading cause of kidney failure. You should check the glucose level in your blood regularly. During a blood test, if your glucose level is more than 125 while fasting and over 200 while not fasting show diabetes.

3. Total cholesterol

A value of more than 200 can have a risk of heart disease and kidney failure. learn more about simple ways to lower cholesterol level.

4. Blood pressure

During a normal blood pressure check-up, if the value is more than 140/90, it is high blood pressure and has a risk of getting kidney diseases. You should aim for a normal blood pressure that is lower than 130/80.

5. Albumin to creatinine ratio

Creatinine clearance test can show the levels of protein content in your urine. Creatinine levels normal are determined from the value resulted through the creatinine test and adult males have higher levels than adult females. Protein contents in your urine is an early sign of kidney disease.

Here are the normal creatinine levels by age:

• 0.9-1.3mg/dL for adult males
• 0.6-1.1mg/dL for adult females
• 0.5-1.0mg/dL for children aged between 3-18 years
• 0.3-0.7mg/dL for children younger than 3 years

Symptoms of kidney problems you should know

Increase in blood pressure

Normally, high blood pressure will not have any serious kidney disease but the risk of getting kidney diseases is very high.

Protein content

During a urine test, protein contents (proteinuria) in your urine show a problem in your kidney.

Trouble passing urine

This problem is usually caused by a trouble in the kidney like severe damage, problems in the urinary bladder, problems in nerves supplying the bladder, and urine infection.

Kidney stones

Kidney stone blocks the flow of urine and swells the very painful kidney.

The common symptoms of kidney disease may include;

• Fatigue
• Trouble in sleeping
• Poor appetite
• Swollen feet/ankles

Diagnosis of Kidney disease

Depending on the risk, your doctor will conduct various test to examine the performance of your kidney. These test may include:

1. Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

This test will determine how well your kidney is performing by looking at the value.

• Over 90 – normal
• Below 60 – abnormal

2. Kidney biopsy

A small piece of tissue from your kidney is removed as a sample to determine the type of kidney disease and level of damages if any.

3. Urine test

Urine samples and examination can detect protein contents in your urine and it can determine whether you have normal kidney or not.

4. Creatinine clearance test

The degrees of creatinine in your blood will increase if your kidneys aren’t working as expected.

Treatment for kidney disease

Treatment for kidney illness typically centres around controlling the basic reason for the infection. Your medical service provider will help you better deal with your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol levels. They may utilize at least one of the accompanying strategies to treat kidney disease.

Drug and medicines

Your primary healthcare doctors will either endorse angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, like Lisinopril and Ramipril, or angiotensin receptor blockers. These are blood pressure drugs that can moderate the movement of kidney infection.

You may likewise be treated with cholesterol drugs such as simvastatin. These drugs can reduce blood cholesterol levels and help in maintaining a healthy normal kidney.

Change in Diet plan and lifestyles

For the treatment of kidney disease, medication is important but the diet you consume and your lifestyle can also determine the level of treatment. Accordingly, with the intensity of treatment, your doctor will recommend tips and advice to have a normal kidney:

• control blood glucose level
• avoid high cholesterol foods
• consume less salt
• avoid/limit alcohol consumption
• quit smoking
• exercise regularly
• consume fruits healthy for your heart

How to prevent kidney disease

To prevent kidney disease, we can’t control the risk factors like age, race or family history. However, you can take the measures mentioned below to prevent getting kidney disease and have a normal kidney.

• Drinking plenty of water (5-8 litres/day)
• Reduce consumption of salt
• Quit smoking
• Avoid/limit alcohol consumption

Related: 13 Water-rich foods that can keep you hydrated

Examine your kidney health

Get yourself tested for kidney disease using a standard blood test like a basic metabolic panel (BMP). This test will determine the availability of creatine or urea in your blood and get advice from your doctor to have a normal kidney.

Get tested for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol levels annually for early detection of kidney diseases and have normal kidney.

Limit consumption of certain foods

Foods that you consume are the factor for the development of certain types of kidney disease. These food include:

• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapes) contains citric acid
• Animal proteins
• salt consumption in excess

List of kidney diseases and conditions

The list mentioned above is for informational purpose only. It may be outdated or incomplete.