Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

Cystitis Cystitis is an infection in the bladder characterized by inflammation of the bladder. It is mostly caused by an infection, and thus, is known as a urinary tract infection. It can infect any part of the urinary tract like the bladder, kidney, ureter, or urethra. Causes of cystitis include the bacterium Escherichia coli , infection through sexual intercourse, painful bladder syndrome, chemotherapy drugs like cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, radiation of the pelvic area, long term use of a catheter, chemicals through bubble bath, spermicidal jellies or female hygiene sprays, diabetes, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or spinal cord injuries. The main symptoms of cystitis are a persistent urge to pass urine, pain and burning sensation while urinating, frequent episodes of small quantity of urine, low-grade fever, pressure in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the pelvic region, blood in urine, and a cloudy color with a bad odor in urine. Neurogenic Bladder Neurogenic bladder is characterized by the ability to control the bladder due to impairment of the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. The main cause of this disease is a disorder in the central nervous system. This is because the ability to hold urine in the bladder is the function of several muscles and nerves. Causes that lead to a disorder of the central nervous system causing neurogenic bladder include Alzheimer’s disease, congenital deficit in the spinal cord, tumors in the brain or spinal cord, cerebral palsy, encephalitis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, injury in the spinal cord, and stroke. Neurogenic bladder can be due to the damage of nerves connected with the bladder and includes neuropathy, long term alcohol intake, vitamin B12 deficiency, syphilis, pelvic surgery, or spinal cord stenosis. Signs of this disease include the urge to urinate in small quantities frequently, loss of control over the bladder, inability to empty a full bladder, urine leakage, inability to predict if the bladder is full, and urinary retention. 5.9 Nephrotic Syndrome Nephrotic syndrome is the disorder of the kidney in which an excessive amount of protein gets excreted into the urine. It is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in the kidney, whose function is to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Possible causes of nephrotic syndrome include minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, systemic lupus erythematous, amyloidosis, blood clot in the vein of the kidney, and heart failure. The main signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include severe edema around the eyes, ankles, and feet; foamy urine; and gain in weight due to fluid retention. 5.10 Neoplasia One fatal disease of the renal system is the formation of cancer or a tumor in the renal system. Neoplasia is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Renal cancer, also known as kidney cancer, is the disease in which the cells become malignant and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. These cancers first appear on the tubules in the kidney and then spread to distant organs.

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