The Lungs and Renal Failure: Diffusing Capacity and Pulmonary Gas Exchange

The Lungs and Renal Failure: Diffusing Capacity and Pulmonary Gas Exchange
Regin Hilgart
Professor Oldmixon
Cardiopulmonary Disease
March 10, 2015
Abstract
The body of a human being functions as one system. There is usually an inter-link between the various organs of the body. As result, when one organ experiences a breakdown or trauma, the functioning of body systems can be affected. The lungs and the kidneys work in tandem to ensure proper functioning of the body. When one of these critical organs malfunctions, the other organ is directly affected. Renal failure, commonly known as the failure of the kidney, is a complication of the kidney. It is occurs when the ability of the kidney to make appropriate filtration of waste from the blood is impaired. In this paper, the interaction between the respiratory and the renal system will be explored in great depths. With this in focus, it will be possible to establish the role played by the lungs in case of a renal failure.
Normal Body Function
Normally, the kidneys and the lungs work together to ensure that the acidity and alkalinity body are maintained at balanced levels. The body produces both acidity and alkalinity through various means including some foods ingested. Sometimes, the acidity in the body could be higher than the alkalinity and the opposite is true. This is where the renal and pulmonary systems work together to ensure that there is balance within the body (Teixeira et al., 2014).
“Medical researches that have been conducted in recent years are indicative that most patients who have complications arising from the kidney often develop respiratory problems” (Pencheva et al, 2011). Researchers have also reported that patients who are in the intensive care unit suffer from severe failure of the kidneys. When a patient is suffering from a severe case of kidney failure, it means that they are experiencing an overload of fluid in the body. According to Teixeira et al. (2014), this is because at this point, the kidney cannot perform its functions as necessary to rid the body of excess fluid. In addition, the pressure in the oncotic fluid is slowed down posing a huge risk in the general function of the entire body. Due to the overload of fluid in the body, some ofthe body capillaries end up leaking (Turcios, 2010). The capillaries that are responsible for gaseous exchange from the lungs to other body parts become distressed when they fill with fluid. “The effect is that gaseous exchangeis impaired leading to respiratory problems for the patient” (Pencheva et al, 2011). Due to the difficulty in breathing, a patient tends to hyperventilate as he/she attempts to make up for the improper flow of air from the lungs. When this happens, the patient is at huge risk of developing respiratory failure.
Whenever a patient suffers from renal failure, the pulmonary system will compensate to help the body maintain homeostasis; that is, the body’s attempts to reinstate the ability of the kidney to carry out its functions. Pencheva et al. (2011) pointed out that “the high demand of gaseous exchange during renal failure isbest explained as result of the highly deciding environment in the body. At this point, the patient is said to be su...