h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, I have been given the job of sub-editing your entry on The Kidney, you will find the new version at A920026. If you have anything you would like me to add/change, that you thought of since it was picked, or you disagree with something i change, please let me know, and i will do my best!

Tango

PS You might like to know, that this is my first batch of entries!!

Roger Tango

The opening words are a bit ungainly, as was mentioned in peer review.

Perhaps "are a pair of your vital organs" is better.

The paragraph on kidney stones is a bit short isn't it!

Perhaps something like this would be better:

Perhaps the most painful problem one might encounter is kidney stones, often said to be 'more painful than childbirth'. Kidney stones are hard lumps of calcium compounds formed by crystals separating from the urine and building up on the inner surface of the nephron / tubule (Urolithiasis). If the stones are tiny they will pass through the urinary tract without notice, but if they become larger they can become painful to pass or even block the tract altogether. Normally the kidney contains chemicals which prevents crystals from forming, but these inhibitors can be ineffective under some conditions. Diet, family history, infections and kidney disease can all lead to stone formation. Stones are identified using x-rays or ultrasound, and can usually be flushed out by giving the patient large quatities of water to drink, flushing out the stone. For larger stones where blockage or damage to the kidney has occured, ESWL (Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) treatment is used, sending shockwaves through the body to break the stone down into 'sand' that is easily passed.

I'll keep that in mind when i get round to doing it this weekend (planned to do it last weekend, but RL reared it's ugly head ). Thanks.

Tango