Kidney Health Care

Renal Tubular Acidosis Symptoms and Causes

2010-03-01T02:27:00.002+08:00

Renal tubular acidosis, otherwise known as RTA, is a condition that occurs when the blood becomes too acidic because of kidney abnormality. Because of failure of the kidneys to excrete it out of the body, acids build up in the blood, which can lead to growth retardation, kidney stones, bone disease, chronic kidney disease, and possibly total kidney failure. One of the main functions of the

Organs of the Urinary System and Their Functions

2010-02-23T21:19:00.005+08:00

The urinary system is one of the organ systems of the body. The organs of the urinary system work to help the body get rid of wastes and excess water in the form of urine. Other urinary system organs help transport urine or store urine and release it when it is time.The organs of the urinary system include the two kidneys, two ureters, a urinary bladder and the urethra. The KidneysThe adult

REN-Related Kidney Disease Information

2010-01-22T22:32:00.001+08:00

REN-related kidney disease is a rare inherited disorder that affects the kidneys. It can cause kidney disease that slowly progresses, which becomes apparent during childhood. As the disease progresses, the kidneys will slowly be less able to filter out wastes and excess water. Ultimately, the condition can cause kidney failure where the kidneys totally fail to perform its functions. When the

Bladder Control Problems in Men

2009-11-23T23:06:00.003+08:00

Bladder control problems in men can develop as they grow older. However, accidental leakage of urine, frequent urination, or the urgent need to urinate don’t have to be parts of aging. There are treatments available to manage bladder control problems.Problems in bladder control have several types including urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.Urinary incontinence occurs when there is

Bloody Urine: Is it Dangerous or Not?

2009-11-23T21:13:00.002+08:00

Having bloody urine, or hematuria, may not be dangerous or it can be a sign of a more serious health problem.Bloody urine occurs when red blood cells—the blood cells that make the color of blood red—are found in the urine. The color of urine may vary from pale pink to the color of cola. Sometimes, you might have hematuria but are not aware of it because it is not seen with the naked eye. This is

Cancer of the Urinary System

2009-11-07T14:17:00.004+08:00

Cancer of the urinary system occurs when cancer forms in any of the urinary tract. Cancer can occur in any of the urinary tract, but often it affects the kidney, bladder, and the prostate gland in males. Cancer occurs when cells comprising the organs, divide uncontrollably to form new cells. These new developed cells can form a mass called tumor. This tumor can grow large to the extent that it

What is Cystitis or Bladder Infection?

2009-11-07T13:53:00.004+08:00

Cystitis is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that occurs in the bladder. The bladder is the urinary tract structure that stores urine until it is eliminated through urination. Cystitis is commonly caused by bacteria. Often, these bacteria travel from the urethra—the small tube that drains urine from the bladder—proliferate and cause inflammation to the urethra, called urethritis. Sometimes

What is Continent Urinary Diversion?

2009-11-07T12:39:00.006+08:00

Continent urinary diversion is a type of urinary diversion, which is done in people who are unable to release urine from their body naturally. It involves the creation of something like a pouch or reservoir inside the body. Commonly, a part of the digestive tract is used.The ureters, which normally carry urine from the kidneys to bladder, carry urine into the pouch, where it can be stored.There

What is Prostate Cancer?

2009-10-26T22:31:00.004+08:00

Prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is a cancer that starts in the prostate gland. It occurs when cells grow and divide without control. Sometimes these cells spread and cause cancer in other parts of the body. Prostate cancer usually affects older men above 65 years old. In the United States, the National Cancer Institute estimated that there will be about 192,280

Bladder Cancer

2009-10-21T19:08:00.003+08:00

Bladder cancer, also called urinary bladder cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in bladder tissues. The bladder is a hollow organ located in the lower abdomen. It receives urine formed by the kidneys through the two ureters and stores it until it passes out of the body during urination. There are several types of bladder cancer depending on what cells of the bladder are involved. Types of

Kidney Cancer: A Type of Kidney Disease

2009-10-21T12:10:00.005+08:00

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. There are several types of kidney cancer including renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvis carcinoma, and Wilms tumor. Renal cell carcinoma is a cancer that forms in the lining of the nephrons—the very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove wastes. It is the most common type of kidney cancer occurring in adults

The Difference Between Kidney Stones and Gallstones

2009-10-18T13:27:00.006+08:00

Kidney Stones vs Gallstones: Differentiating Kidney Stones From GallstonesKidney stones and gallstones are totally unrelated conditions. They form in different areas of the body.A kidney stone is a hard mass that forms when substances in the urine harden to form crystals. Most kidney stones are small that they easily pass out of the body even without medical treatment. However, if the kidney

Chronic Kidney Disease—Mineral and Bone Disorder

2009-10-02T21:13:00.006+08:00

Chronic kidney disease—mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) occurs when the kidneys fail to maintain proper levels of phosphorus and calcium in the blood. The condition commonly occurs in people with kidney disease and affects almost all patients who undergo dialysis.CKD-MBD is more serious when it occurs in children because their bones are still rowing. This can cause slowing down of bone growth

Urostomy

2009-10-02T16:20:00.006+08:00

Urostomy is a type of urinary diversion, which requires a pouch to be worn outside the body. A urinary diversion may be necessary if a person cannot urinate because a part or parts of the urinary tract is damaged or not working properly. A doctor may recommend urinary diversion if: A person’s bladder has been removed to stop or prevent spread of cancer A person’s bladder has nerve damageHow is

Tests for Prostate Problems

2009-09-28T20:35:00.005+08:00

The prostate gland, or simply prostate, is a walnut-sized gland in men, which is located in front of the rectum just below the bladder. It acts to produce fluid that becomes a part of the semen. The prostate surrounds the first part of the urethra—the tube through which urine passes out of the body.Prostate problems may include prostatitis, prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia (

Prostate Cancer

2009-09-28T15:15:00.004+08:00

Prostate cancer, or prostatic cancer, is a cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate. Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, which wraps around the first part of the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. It is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder.In prostate cancer, cells abnormally form, which

Normal Number of Nephrons

2009-09-27T21:51:00.004+08:00

The number of nephrons is the same when a person is born. About a million of nephrons is found in each kidney. The nephrons are the vital filtering units within the kidney. They help separate blood cells and fluid including wastes in the blood. Large substances and blood cells, such as red blood cells and white blood cells remain in the blood vessels while wastes, such as urea and excess fluids

Organs of the Urinary System

2009-09-27T20:46:00.004+08:00

The organs of the urinary system and their functions.The urinary system is the body’s primary system involved with excreting most of the body’s wastes and excess water. Also the integumentary and respiratory systems aid in excreting some of the body’s waste products. The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a urinary bladder, and a urethra.Generally, the kidneys are the ones

Renal Artery Stenosis

2009-09-27T16:15:00.003+08:00

Renal artery stenosis, or RAS, is a condition in which there is narrowing of one or both arteries that carry blood to the kidneys. The arteries carrying blood to the kidneys are called the renal arteries. RAS can cause reduction in kidney function and even elevated blood pressure.In most cases, renal artery stenosis is caused by atherosclerosis, which causes hardening of the kidney arteries.

The Renal Artery

2009-09-26T22:10:00.006+08:00

The renal arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys. They directly branch off from the abdominal aorta. The aorta is the largest artery of the body and is the main blood vessel from the heat that supplies blood to most of the body’s organs.Sometimes, plaque or cholesterol deposits stick in the inner wall of the artery. This causes the artery to become narrowed, a condition

Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease

2009-09-26T21:37:00.002+08:00

Acquired cystic kidney disease, or ACKD, is a condition in which the kidneys develop fluid-filled sacs called renal (kidney) cysts. ACKD can occur in children and adults. The cysts are more likely to develop in people who have been on dialysis for many years. Dialysis, however, does not cause cysts to develop. ACKD is usually caused by kidney failure.Most cases of cysts are harmless and do not

Abnormal Contents of Urine

2009-09-23T23:13:00.002+08:00

Normally, urine contains water and wastes, such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, and some ions. However, some of these substances may be abnormally elevated, which usually indicates that something is wrong with the body.The following are some of the abnormal constituents of urine and some possible causes.AlbuminAlbumin is a type of protein, which is a normal component of plasma—the fluid component

Contents of Urine

2009-09-23T21:44:00.002+08:00

What are the components of urine?The body takes nutrients from food and uses them to maintain bodily functions including energy and self-repair. Once the body has taken what it needs from the food, waste products are produce. Adults can produce about a quart and a half of urine each day. The amount, however, may depend on many factors including the amount of fluid and food a person consumes and

Kidney Stones Diet. Preventing Kidney Stones from Forming

2009-09-23T19:46:00.004+08:00

A kidney stones diet can play a role in stopping kidney stone formation. Other factors, such as family history, environment, fluid intake, and weight may also play a part in the formation of stones. Normally, the body uses food for energy and also tissue repair. Once the body has used what it needs, waste products are carried to the kidneys to be excreted as urine. Certain foods in the diet,

Kidney Stones Diet. Preventing Kidney Stones from Forming (cont'd)

2009-09-23T19:39:00.005+08:00

Following a strict kidney stones diet may prevent future stone formation. The following discusses about dietary changes you can make to help prevent kidney stones.Dietary changes:1. Drink lots of fluid.Drinking lots of fluid help dilute the urine and help flush away materials that might form stones. The amount of fluid that a person needs to drink depends on the weather and the person’s activity