Kidney Questions Answered in Plain Language

Your kidneys do much more than make urine. They filter your blood, balance your fluids, control blood pressure, and support bone and red blood cell health. But how exactly do they do all this?

This page is your one-stop resource for understanding how the kidneys work—one question at a time. Whether you are curious about how much urine is normal, what kidneys remove from the blood, or what happens with only one kidney, you will find simple, science-backed answers here.

Each topic below links to a short article that explains one key question in plain language. These articles are designed for anyone to understand—no medical background needed.

As new articles are published, they will be added to the list below. Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest updates.

• What do the kidneys do in the human body?
• How do the kidneys filter blood?
• Where are the kidneys located in the body?
• Can you live a normal life with one kidney?
• How much urine do healthy kidneys produce in a day?
• What waste products do kidneys remove?
• How do kidneys control blood pressure?
• What is GFR and what does it tell you?
• How many nephrons are in each kidney?
• What is the role of kidneys in balancing body fluids?
• How do kidneys adjust to dehydration or fluid overload?
• How do kidneys help maintain bone health?
• What hormones are produced by the kidneys?
• How do kidneys regulate salt and electrolytes?
• How is kidney function measured?
• What is the connection between kidneys and urine?
• Why do humans have two kidneys?
• How do kidneys help regulate pH in the body?
• What Is the Renal Artery and What Does It Do?
• What Is the Difference Between the Kidneys and the Bladder?
• What Is Urine Made Of?
• What Are Nephrons and What Do They Do?
• What Does Creatinine Level Mean for Kidney Function?
• What Are Normal Levels of Urea and Creatinine in the Blood?
• What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?
• What Is Acute Kidney Injury?
• What Are the Stages of Kidney Failure?
• What is proteinuria or protein in the urine?
• What is blood in the urine or hematuria?
• What Is Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)?
• What is serum creatinine?
• What is the connection between Kidney and Heart Health?