Credit: Josselin Nespoux, created with Grok You may have heard the phrase "the eyes are windows to the soul”.Recent research has revealed that our eyes may also be windows to our kidneys. At Edinburgh Kidney, we are investigating how subtle changes in the tiny blood vessels of the eye, known as the retinal vasculature, can … Continue reading The Eye Is a Window to the Kidney
Renal Physiology
How Does Eating and Exercising at the Right Time Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease?
Karyn Esser, PhD, presents her research at the 2024 American Physiology Summit. Credit: American Physiological Society The role of the biological clock (circadian rhythm) on human health and disease was covered in depth at the 2023 American Physiology Summit. Learning about how the body’s clock works with other organs is a topic scientists are continually … Continue reading How Does Eating and Exercising at the Right Time Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease?
Celebrating Science at the American Physiology Summit
American Physiology Summit attendees at the 2023 meeting. The American Physiological Society’s (APS) inaugural meeting, the American Physiology Summit, was a resounding success last year! With more than 3,100 attendees, 1,800 submitted abstracts, scores of scientific sessions and esteemed lecturers, the physiology community is gearing up for even more in 2024. For members, meeting attendees, … Continue reading Celebrating Science at the American Physiology Summit
Celebrating the Role of Kidneys in Health and Wellness
Credit: iStock March is National Kidney Month. While you may not think about your kidneys on a daily basis, these organs are working around the clock to keep you healthy, hydrated and free of toxins. A wide variety of factors can affect kidney function, including heat stress and water pollution. However, the kidneys have an … Continue reading Celebrating the Role of Kidneys in Health and Wellness
How the Kidneys and Lungs Help Each Other Restore Your Body’s Balance
Credit: iStock Many organs talk to each other to perform specific roles to achieve a balance called homeostasis, which is crucial for survival. Acid-base homeostasis is a type of homeostasis that’s important for proper functioning of many biological processes. Sometimes when organs aren’t working the way they should, they can interrupt normal acid-base homeostasis. But … Continue reading How the Kidneys and Lungs Help Each Other Restore Your Body’s Balance
Thinking about Spring
Credit: iStock According to the calendar, it’s spring—and depending on where you live, the trees may already be blooming as the temperatures begin to climb. If you live in a colder climate, don’t worry, your time will come for warmer days and balmy evenings. “What does spring have to do with physiology?” you may ask. … Continue reading Thinking about Spring
Antihistamines: Beyond Allergy Relief?
Credit: iStock Allergies are one of the most common chronic conditions in the world—in the U.S., as many as 50 million people have them. Many people regularly take antihistamine medications to relieve allergy symptoms that may include itching, skin rashes, runny nose and wheezing. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, which is a very strong … Continue reading Antihistamines: Beyond Allergy Relief?
Photoblog: Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease Conference 2022
Kidney Camp attendees, 2022. Credit: Michael Hultström Earlier this summer, the American Physiological Society, in conjunction with the American Society for Nephrology, hosted the Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. APS member Michael Hultström, MD, PhD, traveled from Sweden to attend “Kidney Camp,” as the meeting is affectionately nicknamed. … Continue reading Photoblog: Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease Conference 2022
Are You Thirsty? Here’s Why.
Credit: iStock Water makes up about 70% of body weight in a typical adult. Humans can’t easily adapt to a lack of water, and you may begin to experience the effects of dehydration with as little water loss as 1% of your body weight. Humans are unique because, unlike other animals, we respond not only … Continue reading Are You Thirsty? Here’s Why.
Spotlight On: Your Kidneys
Most people don’t think about the function of their kidneys daily, but these essential organs are very important. The main job of the kidneys is to regulate the transport of water, salt, blood and nutrients in the body, while removing waste—through urine—that is no longer needed. Each day, these two bean-shaped, fist-sized organs filter about … Continue reading Spotlight On: Your Kidneys