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Human kidneys will clean about 1 million gallons of blood in an average lifetime.
In most cases, kidneys can recover from almost complete loss of function, such as in acute kidney (renal) failure.
Blood in the urine can be a sign of a kidney stone, glomerulonephritis, or other kidney problems.
Certain rare plants containing cyanide include apricot pits and a type of potato called cassava. Fortunately, only chronic or massive ingestion of any of these plants can lead to serious poisoning.
Over time, chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections can progress to advanced liver disease, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unlike other forms, more than 80% of hepatitis C infections become chronic and lead to liver disease. When combined with hepatitis B, hepatitis C now accounts for 75% percent of all cases of liver disease around the world. Liver failure caused by hepatitis C is now leading cause of liver transplants in the United States.