Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are the Different Types of Urinary Disease?

Dulce Corazon
Dulce Corazon

There are many kinds of urinary disease which can affect the urinary system. Most common among them are urinary tract infections, which are frequently seen in many patients of all ages. Stone formations in the kidneys and urinary bladder can cause obstructive urinary disease. Urinary dysfunction can occur as well, such as those seen in cases of stress urinary incontinence and urge incontinence. Some cancers, like renal cell carcinoma among others, are also seen to arise from the urinary tract.

The human urinary system is responsible for the production, storage, and excretion of urine. It mostly clears the body of waste products by excreting them in the process commonly known as urination. When urinary disease occurs, the function of the urinary system is often affected. There are mild, moderate, and severe manifestations of urinary disease, depending on the cause of the disease process.

Stone obstruction in the kidneys can cause vomiting.
Stone obstruction in the kidneys can cause vomiting.

Urinary tract infections such as cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis often present with numerous symptoms, including pain during urination, frequent urination, fever, nausea, and weakness. Infections usually start with cystitis, which is an infection of the bladder, or urethritis, which is an infection of the urethra. When these infections are not treated accordingly, they can sometimes reach the kidneys and cause pyelonephritis. Organisms which are involved in causing urinary disease infections are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella species, and Proteus species, among numerous other bacteria.

The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra which act to remove waste from the body.
The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra which act to remove waste from the body.

Stones or calculi formations found anywhere in the urinary tract can cause obstruction in the flow of urine. Some components of urinary stones are uric acid and calcium. When there are high concentrations of either of these components in the urine, chances of calculi formations usually increases. Symptoms of stone obstruction in the kidneys often include flank pains, nausea, vomiting, and presence of blood in the urine.

Some people experience urinary incontinence when they undergo physical stress, such as sneezing.
Some people experience urinary incontinence when they undergo physical stress, such as sneezing.

Stress urinary incontinence is just one of the manifestation of urinary dysfunctions. It is frequently observed in women due to the weakening of their pelvic muscles after getting pregnant many times and delivering babies vaginally. Women with stress urinary incontinence generally cannot control the leakage of urine during some activities such as coughing, laughing, or sneezing. Another bladder problem is urge incontinence, which occurs commonly in the elderly and stroke patients. This is caused by an over-active bladder, often leads to frequent urges to urinate and the inability to hold urine in before reaching the toilet.

Renal cell carcinomas are urinary tract cancers that generally develop in the kidneys. Causes of renal cell carcinoma include genetic predisposition, obesity, hypertension, and exposure to heavy metals. Some studies also showed that cigarette smoking increases a person's risk of developing the cancer.

Discussion Comments

Laotionne

My aunt began having a problem with urinary tract infections as she got older. She had not had this problem when she was younger, and the repeated infections worried her. They were not particularly serious and they cleared up easily, but she was still concerned because this was something new to her.

Her doctor told her that urinary tract infections and urinary system diseases happen more often sometimes with women after they go through menopause. The increase in infections has something to do with the decrease in estrogen in a woman's body after menopause. He said the lack of estrogen can lead to changes in the urinary system.

Sporkasia

@Feryll - The reason a woman is more likely to develop a urinary tract disease than a man is because a woman has a shorter urethra than a man has and this means that the bacteria that cause the infections don't have as far to travel in a woman's body before they reach the bladder.

Another cause of urinary tract infections in women can be the birth control method they choose. Sexually active women have more of these infections and those who use diaphragms are at a higher risk than those who use some of the other methods of birth control.

Feryll

Does anyone know why women have more urinary tract infections than men on average? I have always heard that urinary system diseases are more common for women, but I don't know the reason why women are at such a greater risk.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Stone obstruction in the kidneys can cause vomiting.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Stone obstruction in the kidneys can cause vomiting.
    • The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra which act to remove waste from the body.
      By: snapgalleria
      The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra which act to remove waste from the body.
    • Some people experience urinary incontinence when they undergo physical stress, such as sneezing.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Some people experience urinary incontinence when they undergo physical stress, such as sneezing.