Parent & Patient Information System 06/09/2015 Page38 / 51 Chapter 8 - A Child´s Kidneys and Urinary Tract Several kinds of wastes are produced by our bodies, including urine besides sweat, carbon dioxide gas, and feces (stool). They exit the body differently. Sweat is freed through the skin pores. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are blown out from the lungs. Undigested food materials are formed into feces in the intestines and excreted from the body as solid waste in bowel movements. And finally urine, which is produced by the kidneys contains metabolism products like salts, toxins, and water, to name a few. The urinary tract including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra filters and eliminates these substances from our blood. Without the kidneys, waste products and toxins would soon accumulate in the body to dangerous levels. In addition to eliminating wastes, the kidneys and urinary tract also regulate many important body functions. For example, the kidneys monitor and maintain the body's balance of water, ensuring that our tissues receive enough water to function properly and be healthy. Moreover kidneys play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and stimulating red blood cell production. When checking the urine, the results can help to reveal how well the kidneys are working. For example, blood, protein, or white blood cells in the urine may indicate injury, inflammation, or infection of the kidneys, and glucose in the urine may be an indication of diabetes.
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