URINARY SYSTEM
The urinary system also know known as renal system or urinary tract is a system in the body consisting of kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra and nephrons which produces, stores and excretes urine in our body through a filtration mechanism in which potential harmful molecules are removed .
Anatomy and physiology of urinary system
Kidneys
They are purplish organs located below the ribs towards the middle of the back. They are two in number. They have several functions in the body which include:
- Remove waste products and drugs from the body
- Creates balance in the amounts of water and electrolytes in the blood
- Releases hormones which regulates blood pressure
- Regulates red blood cells production
- Increase bone mass by regulating calcium and phosphorus in the blood
Ureters
These are (2) narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. They have muscles in the walls which tighten and relax forcing urine down away from the kidneys.
Bladder
The bladder is a triangle-shaped, hollow organ located in the lower abdomen. It is held in place by ligaments that are attached to the pelvic bone. The bladder’s wall expands and relaxes to store urine and flatten and contract to empty urine through the urethra
Sphincter muscles
They are muscles, circular in shape, which help to keep urine from leaking by closing tightly like a rubber band around the opening of the bladder.
Nerves in the bladder
They alert person when the blood becomes full to urinate.
Urethra
This is tube that allows urine to pass outside the body.
The brain signals the muscles to tighten pushing urine out of bladder. At the same time, the brain signals the sphincter muscles to relax letting urine exist the bladder through the urethra.
Nephrons
This is the kidneys functional unit that actually produces urine in the process of removing waste and excess substances from the blood. They filter blood and the reabsorbs useful materials from the filtrate before it is eliminated as urine.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR URINARY SYSTEM HEALTHY
- Always drink plenty of water when you are thirsty
Any time you urinate, remember you are eliminating waste product from your body. Ensure you keep urine flowing normally by drinking water when thirsty to avoid blockage of the urinary system.
- Reduce amount of caffeine intake
Avoid drinks and beverages containing caffeine which may irritate your bladder and increase your need to urinate. The more caffeine you drink the more irritations in your bladder the more you will urinate.
- Reduce amount of salt intake
Eating too much salt has been associated with elevating blood pressure which can damage your kidneys. Sodium also contributes to development of kidney stones.
Paying attention to sodium labels on processed foods and reducing intake foods high in salt may help to lower risk of developing kidney stones.
- Drink extra water and other fluids when exposed to sunlight or during exercise
This helps to replace water being lost through sweating.
- Urinate before and after sex
Bacteria can easily travel up into the urinary tract during sex causing infections e.g. urinary tract infections (UTIs). The infection occurs more likely to women after sex because their urethra is shorter than for men. Urination acts as a cleansing mechanism by flushing away bacteria that might have entered the urethra during sex.
- Women should practice wiping from front to back procedure after visiting thee toilets.
This ensures they don’t bring the bacteria from their anus into contact with vagina which can cause urinary tract infection.
- Keep a healthy weight
Eating healthy foods and being physically active can help you to keep a healthy weight which is good for our bladder.
- Urinate regularly
Try urinating at least every 3 to 4 hours. Holding urine in the bladder for long can weaken bladder muscles hence increasing the risk of infections.
- Exercise regularly
Keeping yourself physically active helps to prevent bladder problems as well as constipation.
- Wearing cotton made underwear and loose fitting clothing
This allows air to circulate keeping the areas around urethra dry. Tight clothing can trap moisture hence helping bacteria to grow.
- Reduce stress
Kidneys can be damaged by stress. Reducing stress in your life is an important way to keep your kidneys healthy. This can be achieved through medication, yoga, massage and listening to music which make you to relax.
FOODS THAT NOURISH OUR URINARY SYTEM
- Pawpaw
They contain vitamin C which supports immune function and increases the acidity of urine obstructing bacterial growth in the urinary tract.
- Cinnamon
It is rich in compounds that reduce inflammation and halter the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. It also contains compounds which prevent growth of bacteria (E. coli) which is responsible for most urinary tract infections in the bladder and urethra.
Due to its inflammatory properties cinnamon may ease some of discomforts caused by urinary tract infections.
- Broccoli
It is rich in vitamin C which helps in making urine more acidic obstructing growth of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.
- Yoghurt
Yoghurt is made from fermented milk by use of live cultured bacteria. It is rich in probiotics, beneficial bacteria that help in preventing urinary tract infections by preventive growth of harmful bacteria in vagina where they can migrate and cause infections in the urinary tract.
- Garlic
It is high in compounds that have antibacterial and antimicrobial activities capable of boosting immunity. Studies have shown that garlic can be used to treat recurring urinary tract infections.
- Cranberries juice
It prevents bacteria from adhering to the lining of urinary tract that can cause infection. It also decreases recurrent urinary tract infections.
- Apples, grapes and peanuts
They contain antioxidants (proanthocyanidin) what may help maintain health of our urinary tract. Juice extracted from grapes may prevent kidney diseases by prolonging the life of kidney cells and protecting against oxidants. They also have high fibre content helpful in flushing body’s harmful bacteria.
FOODS WHICH DO NOT NOURISH OUR URINARY SYSTEM
- Alcohol beverages
Alcohol dehydrates the body by increasing amount of urine. It also interferes with brains signals to the bladder on frequencies of urination.
- Carbonated drinks
They can irritation to the bladder making it more sensitive
- Spicy foods
They irritate the bladder
- Artificial sweeteners
Cause irritation to the bladder
- Drinks containing caffeine
These drinks include colas, tea, coffee and chocolates. They act as diuretics making body to produce more urine hence dehydrating the body.
- Acidic fruits
Fruits are essential part of our diet but they contain acid which irritates the bladder and worsen urinary tract infections. When treating urinary tract infection avoid these fruits: grapes, tomatoes, plumps, apples, strawberries and pineapples.
URINARY SYSTEM DISEASES AND DISORDERS
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTI)
These are infections in any part of the urinary system but mostly affect the lower urinary tract( the bladder and the urethra). They affect both men and women but women are at a greater risk of developing urinary tract infections.
Symptoms
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Frequent passing of small amounts of urine
- Passing urine with a strong smell
- Pain in the pelvic and lower abdomen on women
- Cloudy urine
- Feeling tired
- Passing urine that appears red or bright pink
Cause
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria get in the urinary system through the urethra and start multiplying in the bladder. These bacteria usually originate from the anus when woman does not practice from front to back way cleansing her genitals after visiting the toilet
Prevention
- Drink plenty of fluids especially water
This helps to dilute the urine and also increase frequent of urination allowing bacteria to be flushed out from the urinary tract before they cause infections.
- Drink cranberry juice
This juice helps in preventing urinary tract infections
- Wipe from front to back
This helps prevent bacteria in the anal area from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Urinate after sex
This helps flush out bacteria in the urinary tract out
- Avoid using feminine products
These products (douches, powders and deodorant sprays) increase irritations in the bladder.
- Keep your genital area dry by wearing cotton underwear and loose fitting- clothing.
This prevents trapping of moisture which can create a favourable climate for bacteria growth.
Treatment
Antibiotics are used to treat these infections by acting on the bacteria
URINARY INCONTINENCE
This is a condition whereby a person losses control of bladder hence passing urine when he/she doesn’t want to or unknowingly. This is not a disease but is a symptom for another health problem especially weakening of sphincter muscles.
Symptoms and signs
- Occasional or minor leaking of urine without warning
- Wetting your bed at night
- Unable to rich toilet in time
- Feeling sudden, strong urge to urinate right away.
Cause
May risk factors have been linked to this condition:
- Overweight
- Constipation
- Damage of nerves
- Surgery
- Certain medication
- Menopause
- Urinary tract infections
- Stress`
Prevention
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising e.g. pelvic floor practice
- Avoiding drinks and foods which irritate our bladder e.g. caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods
- Avoiding smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
- Eating more fibre containing foods to prevent constipation
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of incontinence you are suffering, its severity and underlying causes
- Medication. These medication therapies can be used
- Medications to calm an overactive bladder
- Medications that help to relax bladder muscles and increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold
- Use of medical devices
These devices prevent leakage of urine and are usually removed before urination.
- Surgery
Surgical procedure may be carried if other treatment fails.
- Use of absorbent pads and catheters
INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS
It is also called painful bladder syndrome. It is a chronic bladder problem that causes bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain.
This condition interferes with brain signals which communicate to a person to urinate. This makes person to urinate more often and with smaller volumes of urine.
Symptoms and signs
- Bladder pressure and pain that persists as your bladder fills up
- Pain in the abdomen, lower back, pelvic and urethra
- Pain in the vulva, vagina or the area behind the vagina in women
- Pain in the scrotum, testicles, penis or area behind the scrotum
- Pain during sex in women and for men pain during orgasm and after sex
Cause
Exact cause is unknown but many factors contribute to this disorder. For example, people with interstitial cystitis may also have a defect in the protective lining of the bladder. A leaky epithelium may also allow toxins in urine to irritate the bladder walls.
Prevention
- Reduce stress
By doing exercises or regular warm bathes or anything that can help you relax can reduce symptoms of interstitial cystitis.
- Avoid foods and drinks which may worsen your condition
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid drinking much fluid before going to bed.
- Take regular planned toilet breaks to prevent bladder becoming too full
- Wear loose fitting clothing to avoid putting pressure on your bladder.
Treatment
- Medication
- Over the counter painkillers to reduce pain(paracetamol and ibuprofen)
- Drugs that help to relax the bladder muscles( toiterodine)
- Drugs that help repair the bladder lining( Elmiron)
- Medication that may help to block the effects of a substance (histamine) on cells in the bladder.( cimetidine)
- Supportive therapy like physiotherapy
- Surgical procedures
This is recommended if you have clear abnormal areas in your bladder or when other medications do not work.
KIDNEY FAILURE
This is a condition which occurs when your kidneys loss the ability to sufficiently filter waste from your blood. It is caused by the other health problem that can permanently damage your kidneys slowly over a time e.g. diabetes and high blood pressure
Cause
- Loss of blood flow to the kidneys which may be caused by heart attack, heart disease dehydration etc.
- Problems when eliminating urine linked to prostate, colon, cervical and bladder problems
- Kidney stones and blood clots within the urinary tract
- Overload of toxins from heavy metals
- Drugs and alcohol
Symptoms and signs
- Passing of less amount of urine
- Swelling of legs, ankles and feet from retention of fluids cause by the failures of the kidney to eliminate waste.
- Shortness of breath
- Persistence nausea
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Coma
- Excessive drowsiness or fatigue
Prevention
- Diet
Avoid intake of sodium, potassium and phosphorous which exceeds your daily requirement. Cut amount of protein consumed every day. Include fruits and vegetables in your diet. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated
- Watch your weight
Being overweight increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure which increases risk of kidney disease
- Manage your lifestyle
Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking which increases the risk of developing kidney diseases.
TREATMENT
- Dialysis
Helps to filter and purify blood by use of machine which perform the function of the kidneys
- Kidney transplant
This involves surgical procedure of transplanting a donated kidney to the patient’s body. The transplanted kidney must be compatible with your body for it to function normally as your kidney.
KIDNEY STONES
These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys and can travel to other parts of the urinary tract. They form when too much minerals in the body accumulate in the urine.
Cause
- Accumulation of mineral salts,uric acid crystals in excess than the urine can dilute
- Taking diet high in proteins, sodium and sugar
- Failure to drink enough water
- Overweight and obese
- Swelling or irritations on your bowel
- Some medications such as diuretics and calcium based anti-acids
- Calcium and magnesium deficiency
- Eating wrong kind of fatty acid
Symptoms and signs
- Pain when urinating
- Sharp pain especially in the upper back to the lower abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Persistent need to urinate
- Urinating small amounts of urine
Prevention
- Drink enough fluids especially water to stay hydrated
- Limit intake of sodium and animal products in your diet
- Treat healthy condition which is likely to cause kidney stones
- Eating few oxalate-rich foods such as spinanch, beets, chocolates etc which contain a compound that binds with calcium in urine to for kidney stones
- Avoid taking excess calcium and calcium supplements for your age
Treatment
- Use of painkillers relieves pain and discomfort caused when passing a small stone
- Doctor may prescribe medication to help pass these kidney stones by relaxing the muscles in the ureter.
- Surgery
Surgical procedure may be carried to remove very large stones in the kidneys.