Urinary System Diseases

Kidney Stones a kidney stone is a solid mass of tiny crystals can form when urine contains too much of a certain substance biggest risk is dehydration will move from kidney down the ureters to the bladder (if large can block flow of urine out of the kidneys, causing swelling which causes severe pain) types of stones: calcium stones (most common) – more common in men, ages 20-30 cystine stones – occur in people with the disorder cystinuria uric acid stones – more common in men, occur with gout (type of arthritis) or chemotherapy

Symptoms and Treatments pain in belly area or side of back pain may move to groin area or testicles abnormal urine blood in urine chills, fever, nausea, vomiting Treatments: stones that are small enough will pass on their own drink lots of water (6-8 glasses a day pain relievers depends on type – some medications to decrease size surgery, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract different names depending on the location: bladder – also called cystitis or bladder infection kidneys – in one or both called pyelonephritis or kidney infection ureters – rarely the site of infection urethra – called urethritis caused by germs (bacteria) more common in women due to their urethra being shorter and closer to the anus getting it after sexual activity, using a diaphragm, menopause diabetes, advanced age, kidney stones, staying still for a long period of time, pregnancy

Symptoms and Treatments cloudy or bloody urine, may have strong or foul odor pain or burning with urination pressure or cramping in lower abdomen strong need to urinate often, even right after bladder has been emptied Treatments: doctor determines whether it is mild or more serious MILD antibiotics drink plenty of fluids SEVERE too sick to take oral antibiotics or are elderly you will be admitted into the hospital, will receive fluids and medicine through a vein

Bladder Stones hard build ups of minerals that form in the urinary bladder caused by: another urologic problem such as: bladder diverticulum enlarged prostate neurogenic bladder (bladder does not empty properly due to a neurological condition) UTI

Symptoms and Treatments occur when the stone irritates the lining of the bladder or obstructs flow of urine abdominal pain, abnormally colored or dark urine, blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, frequent urge to urinate, UTI Treatments: drinking 6-8 glasses of water or more per day to increase urinary output may remove stones if they don’t pass on their own by using a cystoscope (small tube that passes through the urethra to the bladder) surgery; removal of stones

Urinary Incontinence loss of bladder control ranges from occasionally leaking urine when coughing or sneezing to having urge to urinate that is so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet occurs when muscles are too weak or too active (may feel strong urge to pee when you have a little urine in your bladder) causes: weakened or stretched pelvic muscles after childbirth enlarge prostate gland or prostate surgery certain medicines old age overweight and obesity which increase pressure on bladder UTI, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis

Treatments depends on the cause of the problem Treatments: Kegel exercises and bladder training help some types (strengthening pelvic muscles) medicine sometimes surgery but only if all other measures have been taken first

Urinary Retention inability to empty the bladder; may have the urge to urinate but will have little success more common in older men due to prostate enlargement women may experience it due to sagging bladder causes: an obstruction in the urinary tract or by nerve problems that interfere with signals between the brain and bladder

Symptoms and Treatments difficulty starting to urinate or fully emptying the bladder weak dribble or stream of urine loss of small amounts of urine during the day inability to feel when bladder is full lack of urge to urinate Treatments: self-catheterization lifestyles changes, fluid and diet modification, bladder retraining, Kegel exercises or other kinds of physical therapy medications neurostimulation – sends mild electrical pulses to the nerves that control the bladder and the muscles related to urination

Hydronephrosis the swelling of one or both kidneys due to backup of urine unilateral bilateral occurs with disease vesicoureteric reflux (backflow of urine from bladder to kidney) kidney stones

Symptoms and Treatments abdominal mass nausea and vomiting UTI painful urination (dysuria) increased urinary frequency and/or urgency Treatments: ureteral stent (tube that allows the ureter to drain into the bladder) nephrostomy tube ( allows blacked urine to drain through the back) antibiotics for infections

Renal Failure loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing electrolytes (minerals that carry and electric charge) Causes: autoimmune kidney disease decreased blood flow due to very low blood pressure (results from burns, dehydration, hemorrhage, injury, surgery, serious illness, septic shock) disorders that cause clotting within the kidney’s blood vessels pregnancy complications urinary tract obstruction

Symptoms and Treatments bloody stools, breath odor, bruising easily changes in mental status or mood deceased appetite, fatigue, hand tremor, high blood pressure, metallic taste in mouth nosebleeds, persistent hiccups, prolonged bleeding, urination changes Treatments: goal is to restore kidney function and prevent fluid and waste from building up in the body while the kidneys heal will have to regulate how much you drink and what you may or may not eat to reduce buildup of toxins antibiotics to treat or prevent infections dialysis may be needed

Renal Agenesis the absence of one or both kidneys bilateral is fatal (also known as potter syndrome) unilateral usually the remaining kidney enlarged may not know you are unilateral until a problem arising causes you to have a CT or ultrasound TREATMENT: altered diet (i.e. stay away from certain foods, no sugary drinks) tend to usually have high blood pressure (take medication to deal with it) drinking lots of water

Red or Pink Urine blood – strenuous exercise, UTI, kidney stones, kidney disease, kidney/bladder cancer FOOD – beets, blackberries, rhubarb pie MEDICATIONS – certain laxatives, antipsychotics TOXINS – mercury poison

Orange Urine FOOD – carrots, carrot juice MEDICATIONS – certain blood thinners, antibiotics DEHYDRATION – drinking too few fluids

Blue or Green Urine FOOD – asparagus (green) MEDICATIONS – amitriptyline, etc DISEASE – familial hypercalcemia (a rare inherited disorder that causes high levels of calcium)

Dark Brown or tea-colored Urine FOOD – large amount of fava beans, black licorice MEDICATIONS – antimalarial drugs MEDICAL CONDITIONS – some liver disorders, especially hepatitis and cirrhosis