Let's learn more about the "renal cortex" of your kidneys.

We all know about the kidneys, right? These two small organs that filter and separate the waste products in the body and excrete them as urine, do you know how much more they actually do? The kidneys, which silently perform a great service to maintain the balance of our body, are like a super purifier in our body. Today we are going to talk about a very important part of these kidneys, that is, the 'shell' or Renal Cortex, which is the outermost part of the kidney. This name may be new to you, but you will be surprised when you learn about the function of this part!

Simply put, what is this Renal Cortex?

Think of the kidney as a fruit. The part that resembles the outer skin of the fruit is called the Renal Cortex . This is the outermost layer of the kidney. Doctors also call it the 'renal cortex'. The middle part of the kidney inside this Cortex is called the Medulla . So this Cortex surrounds and protects the Medulla. On the outside, this entire kidney is covered by another strong protective membrane called the Renal Capsule .

The most important thing in the kidneys is the blood filtering units. We call these nephrons . Did you know, there are about a million of these nephrons in one kidney! These nephrons start from the Renal Cortex. The main filter in a nephron is called the Glomerulus . This filter filters the blood and the unwanted waste products pass through the tubules. Inside the Cortex, these tubules are very convoluted. But when they reach the Medulla, they become straight tubules.

What are the main functions of the kidneys and renal cortex?

The kidneys are not just an organ that makes urine. They perform many very important functions that maintain the balance of our entire body. The Renal Cortex plays a key role in all of this.

• Control of salt and water balance: The kidneys help maintain the proper levels of electrolytes , such as sodium and potassium, and water in our body.
• Blood pressure control: The kidneys are also essential for controlling blood pressure, as they control the amount of fluid and salt in the body.
• Red blood cell production: A hormone (Erythropoietin) that helps produce red blood cells is produced by the kidneys.
• Acid-base balance: Another function of the kidneys is to maintain the proper levels of acid and base in our blood.
• Vitamin D production: The kidneys and liver work together to convert the vitamin D we consume into a form that the body can use.
• Calcium and phosphate balance: The kidneys also help control calcium and phosphate levels, which are essential for strong bones.
• Glucose production: The sugar (glucose) our body needs is mostly made by the liver, but a small amount is also produced by the kidneys. This is called glucogenesis .

What are the common diseases and conditions that affect the renal cortex?

Unfortunately, there are many conditions that can affect our kidneys, and especially the Renal Cortex. Let's take a look at a few of them.

In addition to this, there are several other serious conditions that affect the kidneys.

• Acidosis: When the kidneys are not working properly, the blood becomes acidic. This can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Nephropathy: Kidney damage caused by diabetes (Diabetic Nephropathy) and high blood pressure (Hypertensive Nephropathy).
• Glomerular Diseases: Damage or swelling of the filters (glomeruli) in the kidneys can also lead to kidney failure.
• Proteinuria and Nephrotic Syndrome: Proteinuria is the excessive excretion of protein in the urine. This is a sign of kidney damage. If too much protein is excreted, it may be a condition called Nephrotic Syndrome.
• Uremia: A condition in which toxins that should be removed by the kidneys accumulate in the blood instead of being eliminated from the body. This is also a very dangerous condition.

What are the common symptoms of kidney disease?

The most dangerous thing about many kidney diseases is that they don't show obvious symptoms in the early stages . These symptoms only start to appear when the disease is a little more advanced.

What tests are done to check the health of the kidneys?

If your doctor suspects kidney function, he or she may order several tests to confirm it.

• Imaging Tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound): These tests can look at the shape, size, and presence of any obstructions or abnormalities in the kidneys. For example, if the thickness of the renal cortex is reduced, it can be assumed that the kidney has been damaged.
• Blood Tests: These can measure how well the kidneys' glomeruli are filtering blood. Serum Creatinine is the most common test.
• Kidney Biopsy: In this, a very small piece of kidney tissue is taken and examined under a microscope.
• Urinalysis: A urine sample is taken and checked for protein, blood, etc. This can give clues about infections or medical conditions.

How to keep your kidneys healthy?

It's better to prevent kidney disease before it occurs than to treat it after it occurs. Here are some simple things you can do.

• Avoid smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys.
• Reduce salt intake: Excessive salt intake can increase blood pressure and damage the kidneys.
• Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water helps the kidneys to easily remove toxins from the body.
• Exercise daily: Exercise can help control blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit the use of painkillers: Long-term and excessive use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) , such as Brufen and Diclofenac, is harmful to the kidneys. Do not continue to use these without the advice of a doctor.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can lead to diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels: If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is essential to control them well to protect your kidneys.

What time should I see a doctor?

If you think you may have a kidney problem, it's important to seek medical advice immediately. Be especially careful if you have any of the following symptoms or risk factors:

If you have symptoms like these:

• Change in urine color (bloody or cloudy) or change in urination habits (frequent urination, pain when urinating).
• Dry or itchy skin.
• Feeling extremely tired.
• High blood pressure (Hypertension).
• Muscle twitching.
• Loss of appetite or a metallic taste in food.
• Stomach pain or vomiting.
• Swelling, especially around the ankles or hands.

If you have these risk factors:

• Having kidney disease in the family.
• Diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Overweight or obesity.

If you have these risk factors, it is very important to have your kidney function checked at the intervals prescribed by your doctor.

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