Aging, sickness, or injury can lead to problems in the urinary system. With age, certain changes in the kidneys’ structure may cause them to lose some of their ability to remove wastes from the blood. In addition, the ability of the kidneys to filter blood entirely may be weakened by poor health or injury.
Muscles in your bladder and urethra may be inclined to lessen in strength. Increased urinary infections may occur because the bladder muscles do not tighten enough to completely empty your bladder. Diminished strength in the sphincter and pelvis muscles will in some cases lead to incontinence.
Kidney infection typically occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. Bacteria from an infection elsewhere in your body also can spread through your bloodstream to your kidneys.
To prevent kidney infections, drink plenty of liquids, including cranberry juice. Cranberry juice has chemicals that fight off all urinary tract infections. Practice good bathroom hygiene by cleaning thoroughly after using the toilet. Women should wipe from front to back to avoid spreading faecal bacteria to the opening of the urethra. Recurring infections may mean that there is an important problem with the kidneys and such cases should be evaluated by a urologist.
The crystals that lead to kidney stones are likely to form when your urine contains a high concentration of certain substances - especially calcium, oxalate, uric acid and rarely, cysteine - or low levels of substances that help prevent crystal formation, such as citrate and magnesium. Crystals also may form if your urine becomes too concentrated or is too acidic or too alkaline. A number of factors can cause changes in your urine, including the effects of heredity, diet, drugs, climate, lifestyle factors and certain medical conditions.
For people with a history of kidney stones, doctors usually recommend passing at least 2 litres of urine a day. To do this, you'll need to drink about 14 cups of fluids every day - and even more if you live in a hot, dry climate. Although most liquids count, water is best. In addition, if you tend to form calcium stones - a combination of calcium and oxalate - your doctor may recommend restricting foods rich in oxalates. Some examples of these foods include beetroot, spinach, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, almonds. Studies show that an overall diet low in salt and very low in animal protein can greatly reduce your chance of developing kidney stones.
Decreased urine output, Fluid retention, causing swelling in your legs, ankles or feet. Drowsiness and/or fatigue, Shortness of breath, Confusion, Seizures or coma in severe cases.
In many cases it is not possible to prevent kidney failure. But you may reduce your risk by following these suggestions:
Don't abuse alcohol or drugs, including over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Avoid long-term exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, as well as to solvents, fuels and other toxic substances.
Carefully follow all of your doctor's recommendations for managing your condition if you have a chronic medical condition that increases your risk of kidney failure.
Common signs to look for include difficulty in passing urine, a weak flow or a flow that stops and starts, having to wait before you go, urgency or frequency, or having to get up at night to urinate.
The prostate gland surrounds the tube (urethra) that passes urine. With age, this may become a source of problems for a couple reasons. The prostate tends to grow larger with age and may squeeze the urethra or a tumour can make the prostate bigger. In some cases, men in their 40s and 50s may begin to experience a few of these urinary symptoms and need medical attention. Others may not experience symptoms until much later in life. Regardless of age, tell your doctor if you experience any urinary problems.
Yes. Nearly 90 percent of all prostate cancers are currently diagnosed at an early stage, and, owing to this, men are surviving longer after diagnosis. There are two tests that are used to detect prostate cancer in the absence of any symptoms. The first is the digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas. The second is a blood test used to detect a substance made by the prostate called prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
As the bladder muscle ages this may lead to decreased ability to store urine and elevated overactive bladder symptoms. With blood vessel disease, there is a risk of increased overactive bladder. Good overall health - including no smoking, moderate blood pressure and a healthful weight - can help limit symptoms of overactive bladder.
You should talk with your doctor if erectile dysfunction lasts longer than two months or if it is a recurring problem. He may be able to establish the cause or he may refer you to a specialist in the area. Successful treatment of erectile dysfunction is very common.
The following steps can help prevent erectile dysfunction:
If you've had a heart attack, stroke or life-threatening heart rhythm during the last six months, medications such as Viagra should not be taken. Discuss additional options with your doctor if you've been told that sexual activity could trigger a cardiac event. Further, do not take these drugs with cardiac medications like nitrate medicines. This combination may cause dizziness, low blood pressure, circulation and heart problems.
In three out of every five couples experiencing infertility, a male factor is involved. Male infertility is the primary factor in two out of five of these couples and furthermore, it is a combination of male and female infertility, in one out of every five couples struggling with fertility. It is prudent to exam both the male and female partner when dealing with this issue.