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Kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra make up the human excretory system. A healthy kidney and other excretory system components are critical to our overall health. The kidneys can't be repaired after they've been injured. As a result, we must treat it with care. Each side of our spine has two kidneys which act as filters.
The excretory system is in charge of removing waste from an organism's body. The nitrogenous waste is removed from the body by organs such as the liver, kidneys, skin, and sweat glands. Any problem with the excretory system causes an accumulation of nitrogenous waste in the body, which can lead to diseases. They also aid in blood pressure regulation, the prevention of anaemia, and other functions.
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Keyterms: Kidneys, Ureter, Urinary bladder, Urethra, Excretory system, Spine, Nitrogenous waste, Anaemia
Renal Calculi or Kidney Stones
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Normally, kidneys create urine by filtering waste from blood. Crystals grow in the kidneys when the blood contains too much waste and the body does not produce enough urine. These crystals attract other wastes and chemicals, resulting in a solid object (a kidney stone) that will continue to expand in size unless it is passed through urine.
Kidney stones are caused by a variety of factors, including an excessive amount of calcium in the diet, reduced water intake, overactive parathyroid glands, polycystic kidney disease or cystic kidney disease of another type, disorder that causes excessive levels of cysteine, oxalate, uric acid, or calcium in the urine. These stones can grow and clog the tubules of the kidney, the ureter, or the urine bladder. These obstructions might cause excruciating agony. It's possible that blood will be seen in the urine.
Kidney Stones
Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract effortlessly without any obvious symptoms presenting. Large kidney stones can present with symptoms such as discomfort during urination, blood in urine, back or lower abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. Doctors often recommend pain medication and increased water intake to help pass the kidney stone.
Kidney Failure
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Kidney failure that happens suddenly is referred to as acute renal failure. Chronic kidney failure occurs when the kidneys' ability to function decreases over time. Kidney failure, also referred to as an end-stage renal disease, is the last stage of chronic kidney disease (ESRD). When the kidneys fail, you'll need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
Kidney failure
Diabetes is the most common cause of ESRD. The second leading cause of ESRD is high blood pressure. Acute renal failure can be caused by a variety of factors, including coronary artery disease, drug misuse, insufficient blood flow to the kidneys, issues with the urinary tract, etc. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help kidney function for as long as feasible.
Kidney Failure can present in the form of itching, muscle spasms, vomiting and nausea, loss of appetite, swelling in the ankles and feet, etc. It can be treated via dialysis (when wastes, excess fluids, and poisons are removed from the bloodstream artificially rather than by the kidneys) or a kidney transplant (which involves the transplantation of a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into the body).
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Uremia
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Damaged kidneys cause uremia. It is caused when toxins like creatinine or urea, or body waste, that kidneys would typically eliminate in the urine instead end up in the bloodstream. Uremia is a life-threatening illness if left untreated. Renal failure causes uremia, which is a common symptom. Uremia is a symptom of chronic renal disease in its later stages.
Uremia
Chronic kidney disease can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as polycystic kidney disease, diabetes (both type 1 and 2), high blood pressure, glomeruli (filtering units in the kidneys), and tubules (and the tissues around them) inflammation
Some of the following symptoms may occur as a result of uremia: excessive exhaustion or fatigue, cramps in the legs, little or no desire to eat, headache, and lack of concentration. The kidneys have already been severely damaged by the time one gets uremia. The most common treatment for uremia is dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Anuria
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Anuria, also known as enuresis, is a condition in which the kidneys do not produce urine. An individual may first develop oliguria, or a decreased urine flow, before progressing to anuria. Urination is necessary for the removal of both waste and excess fluids from the body. Kidneys create 1 to 2 quarts of urine per day. Waste, water, and electrolytes can accumulate in the body if you don't urinate. A reduction in or complete lack of urination can exacerbate any underlying health issues. It could possibly be fatal.
Anuria
Anuria can be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney stones, and tumors in the kidneys. Fluid retention, recent trouble urinating, decreased visits to the bathroom, blood in the urine, and fatigue are some symptoms of anuria. Dialysis is a treatment for kidney disease that removes fluids and waste. Ureteral stents may also aid in the collection of urine. Kidney transplantation is regarded as a last resort.
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Polyuria
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Polyuria is a condition in which you urinate more frequently than usual and pass abnormally large amounts of urine each time you urinate. Polyuria is described as the passing of huge amounts of urine on a daily basis - more than 3 litres compared to the usual daily urine output of 1 to 2 litres in adults.
Polyuria
Diabetes, kidney disease or failure, liver problems, and anxiety are the main causes of polyuria. Apart from peeing a lot, you might also feel thirsty (loss of fluid resulting in dehydration).
The most effective polyuria treatment focuses on the underlying cause. When the patient's blood glucose levels are under control, polyuria caused by diabetes mellitus is likely to improve. Giving a form of diuretic, which improves the way urine is processed in the kidneys and so decreases urine production, is one of the treatments for polyuria.
Nephritis
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The functioning parts of the kidney, known as nephrons, become inflamed in this area. Nephrons, the functioning units of the kidneys, become inflamed in nephritis. Glomerulonephritis, or kidney inflammation, can have a negative impact on kidney function.
Nephritis
Nephritis is caused by a variety of factors. Kidney illness and nephritis frequently occur in families, implying a hereditary component. Nephritis can also be caused by diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C. In the early stages of nephritis, the symptoms are rarely severe. Symptoms may present in the form of alterations in urination patterns, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, and face, changes in the colour of urine, and frothy urine.
Corticosteroids, especially prednisone, may be prescribed by the doctor. Doctors may also recommend a kidney infection patient to a nutritionist, who can advise them on how to eat to protect their kidneys. Protein, salt, and potassium should all be reduced in a balanced diet.
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Things to Remember
- Kidney stones form when dissolved minerals or insoluble salts collect on the kidney's inner lining. When passed by the sufferers, these grow in bulk and cause excruciating pain.
- In humans, renal failure is defined as a reduction in glomerular filtration. In cases of acute renal failure, both kidneys are damaged and stop operating. A lack of urine output is the most common symptom of acute renal failure.
- Kidney inflammation is referred to as nephritis. Glomerulonephritis is a kidney condition that causes inflammation in the glomeruli. Blood has entirely filled the glomeruli in this case. The patient will require an artificial kidney if numerous glomeruli become inoperable.
- Toxins build up in the blood, causing uremia. When kidneys quit filtering toxins out of the urine, it's called kidney failure. Uremia is a symptom of kidney disease that has progressed to the terminal stage.
- Anuria is a medical term that refers to a lack of pee. It means the kidneys aren't making urine (pee) or you aren't peeing (anuresis).
- Polyuria is the production of urine in an excessively high amount (greater than 2.5 L or 3 L over 24 hours in adults).
Sample Questions
Ques. What factors contribute to the development of uremia? (4 marks)
Ans. Uremia is caused by renal damage. Diabetes and hypertension are the two most common causes of kidney impairment. Filtration and elimination of harmful chemicals from the blood are the primary functions of the kidneys. Blood cannot be filtered adequately if the kidneys are injured. As a result, a large number of harmful compounds will be retained in human tissues and blood. Toxic substances cause a slew of issues in the body. The bulk of the body's systems are harmed. If the patient is not treated in a timely manner, he or she will develop major health problems and will eventually die.
Ques. What causes polyuria? (5 marks)
Ans. Polyuria is mainly caused by excessive intake of fluids (polydipsia), especially water and fluids containing caffeine or alcohol.
It is also one of the most common symptoms of diabetes. When the kidneys filter blood to generate urine, they reabsorb all of the sugar, which is then returned to the bloodstream.
The level of sugar in the blood is unusually high in diabetes. Because not all of the sugar in the blood can be reabsorbed, part of the extra glucose in the urine ends up in the urine, where it attracts additional water.
As a result, extremely high volumes of urine are produced.
Polyuria can also be caused by:
- Diabetes insipidus is a disorder separate to diabetes mellitus that affects the kidneys and the hormones that interact with them, causing them to generate enormous amounts of urine.
- Kidney disease
- Failure of the liver
- Diuretics (substances that stimulate the excretion of water from the body/urine)-containing medications
- Diarrhoea for a long time
- Cushing's syndrome
- Psychogenic polydipsia is excessive water consumption that is most commonly seen in worried middle-aged women and individuals with psychiatric conditions.
- Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood)
Ques. What are the symptoms of a UTI? (4 marks)
Ans. Symptoms of a UTI are:
- Urge to urinate that is constant and intense.
- Urination produces a burning sensation.
- Small volumes of pee are passed often.
- Cloudy urine
- Blood in the urine is visible in pee that is crimson, bright pink, or cola-colored.
- Urine with a strong odour
Ques. What happens if you neglect a urinary tract infection (UTI)? (2 marks)
Ans. If you don't treat a UTI, it could turn into a more serious illness. A bladder infection that goes untreated might progress to a kidney or prostate infection. Because these infections can move via the bloodstream and produce sepsis, they are more dangerous.
Ques. What are the symptoms of kidney stones and how do you know if you have one? (3 marks)
Ans. Here's a rundown of some of the most frequent kidney stone symptoms to keep an eye on.
- Back or stomach ache
- When urinating, there is a lot of pain.
- Urine that is cloudy, reddish, or has a terrible odour.
- Urge to urinate on the spur of the moment.
- Urine flow has slowed.
- Nausea.
- Fever and chills
Ques. What is uremia? (3 marks)
Ans. Uremia is a disorder in which the blood contains too much urea. Symptoms of uremia include weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, muscle cramps, and mental impairment. The taste of ammonia is detected in the tongue. Serious illnesses can result in death. Diabetes or chronic renal disease causes it. It occurs when the nephrons are unable to effectively filter the blood. Clinical diagnosis and treatment are required. Medication and dialysis help to keep it under control. Uremia can only be cured through a kidney transplant.
Ques. Kidney failure: Is it possible to live with it? (3 marks)
Ans. A physical injury or an illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or other conditions can cause kidney impairment. The two most prevalent causes of kidney failure are high blood pressure and diabetes. Kidney failure has no cure, although it is possible to live a long and happy life with therapy. Kidney failure does not necessarily mean death. Kidney failure patients maintain an active lifestyle and continue to do the things they enjoy.
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