1. Urinary System Diseases

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

19. 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

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

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

22. 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