Urinary System Pathologies

Urinary System Pathologies

1. ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS (microbial infection of Renal Pelvia & medulla) Medulla inflamed, necrosis may be present.

   • Infection spreading up from Bladder, obstructed urine flow, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, gout.
   • Dysuria + cystitis symptoms e.g. pain in lower back, fever, fatigue, nausea
   • antibiotics, bed rest, fluids, herbal medicine

2. DIALYSIS (artificial kidney used for Acute Renal Failure).

   • Peritoneal
     • Removing waste e.g. creatinine/urea from blood when kidneys are in Renal Failure.
   • Haemodialysis
     • Peritoneal cavity = filled with Dialysis fluid (via permanent tube in to abdomen). Waste products from blood filter out & flushed in night via shunt

3. RENAL CALCULI (kidney stones)

   • dehydration, acid urine, infection, gout, hyperparathyroidism
   • no early signs. Later: colic pain in kidney area, nausea, vomiting
   • Need to pass the stone!: fluids, local warmth, movement. Herbal medicine to help dissolve/pass.

4. CYSTITIS (bladder infection - women, pregnant, older men, post-menopause)

   • bladder not emptied properly, bacteria pushed into urethra, enlarged prostate, diabetes
   • pain in lower back, dysuria, oliguria, systemic signs e.g. nausea, fever
   • warmth, water, NO ALCOHOL, LOW SUGAR, cranberry, probiotics

5. UTI

   • Microbial infection (often from GIT bacteria), urine flow obstruction
   • Dysuria, cloudy/smelly urine, haematuria, frequent urge to pee day & night
   • Antibiotics vs cranberry, water, alkaline, herbs

6. GLOMERULONEPHRITIS (RBCs + Protein in urine), (elevated serum urea + creatinine in blood)

   • Auto-Immune! Occurs 1-3 weeks after a bacterial infection.
   • Antigen-antibody immune complexes are formed in response to immune reaction > Immune complexes = deposited in the glomeruli where they cause a damaging immune reaction > leaky cell proliferation + cell proliferation. DAMAGED KIDNEYS = PROTEIN & RBCs escape into urine. FIBRIN DEPOSITS, WBC, PLATELETs = congest glomeruli = interfere with filtration process.
   • BED REST, antibiotics, restricted sodium/water/protein + herbal medicine.
   • Back pain (kidneys swell, capsule strechs), dark cloudy urine (RBCs + proteins), Oliguria (infrequent P), facial oedema (water retention), increased blood pressure, Systemic.
   • CHRONIC GLOMERULONEPHRITIS = Glomerular Scarring, Nephrotic Syndrome, Nephritic Syndrome
     • GLOMERULAR SCLEROSIS = scarring + fibrosis of glomerular capillaries
       • Sx: Congestion of glomerular capillaries - inhibits blood flow = high BP as kidneys produce ^ renin to ^ blood flow & restore GFR.
     • NEPHROTIC SYNDROME = 'Leaky' glomeruli.
       • Sx: Protein leaks through glomeruli - ALBUMINURIA. Low plasma pressure thus fluid moves through capillaries in to tissues throughout body - oedema. WEIGHT GAIN. Rx: Glucocorticoids.