Home > Medical > Kidney and bladder health Kidney and bladder health All sections in Kidney and bladder » About Kidney & Bladder » FAQs » Living with Kidney Problems » Medical Treatment » Kidney & Bladder News » Normal Kidney Function » Renal Nutrition » Kidney Failure Living near heavy traffic bad for kidneys Research suggests that polluted air can lower the kidney's filtering ability. Artificial blood vessels show promise 'Bioengineered' kidneys show promise Belly fat may be tied to kidney damage Calcium foods lower kidney stone risk See All Kidney and bladder health News » Kidney and bladder health Overview Cystitis Kidney failure - end-stage Kidney failure - acute Kidney dialysis Urinary incontinence Bladder matters Kidney failure - chronic 5 types of kidney stones Kidney stones What is Kidney and bladder health? Kidney failure is a potentially life-threatening disease. Also called renal failure, it is a condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to function properly. This deterioration of renal function can be sudden or it can develop over a period of time. To understand the implications of renal failure you need to keep the basic functions of the kidney in mind; namely to remove excess fluid and waste, to maintain the chemical balance of the body and to produce certain important hormones and enzymes. Therefore kidney failure can lead to an overload of fluid in the body, that adds to the workload of the heart, raises blood pressure and could lead to heart failure. In this centre, other kidney and bladder problems that are less serious are also discussed. Take Action Check out the Health blogs » Follow Health24 on Twitter » Subscribe to the newsletter » Ask CyberDoc » Medical history The great toilet paper debate advertisement About kidney and bladder 5 types of kidney stones 14 FAQ on diet and kidney stones Tight jeans make bladders leak Facts on bladder leaks See All About kidney and bladder » Living with kidney problems The 4 types of urinary incontinence Protein & sodium restriction Life after two kidney transplants Kidney disease: are you at risk? See All Living with kidney problems » Normal function of the kidney Fascinating toilet facts The normal function of the kidneys The structure of the kidneys See All Normal function of the kidney » The effect of kidney failure Renal failure and its effect on the cardiovascular system Renal failure and its effects on the blood The effect of kidney failure on the bones The effect of kidney failure on the brain and nervous system See All The effect of kidney failure » FAQs Should men sit to pee? User response Should men sit to pee? Bladder matters Will kidney failure affect my sexuality and fertility? See All FAQs » Medical treatment Dialysis Haemodialysis Peritoneal dialysis See All Medical treatment » Renal nutrition Your guide to renal nutrition Renal nutrition: potassium and sodium Renal nutrition: phosphate Renal nutrition: fluid intake See All Renal nutrition » From our sponsors There are more than 200 different viruses which can cause a cold A clinically proven skin care range is now available Medihelp’s regional information sessions Superior comfort and support