Tag: disorders related to the excretory system

Acute renal failure is a condition in which the kidneys suddenly can't filter waste from the blood. It can occur as a result of blood loss, toxins, or physical damage to the kidneys. Edema, hypertension and acidosis are few symptoms of acute renal failure. This is treatable and does not result in immediate death. 

The term diuresis refers to the excessive production of urine. When excess water is lost through urine the blood volume is decreased and its osmolarity is increased which stimulates the posterior pituitary to release ADH. ADH decreases the volume of urine by increasing the reabsorption of water by kidneys and prevents diuresis. Hence it is also called antidiuretic hormone. ADH deficiency causes diuresis which leads to polydipsia (excess thirst) and polyuria (excess urine).

Presence of ketone bodies in urine is called as ketonuria. It indicates diabetes mellitus.In diabetes mellitus glucose cannot enter the cell due to lack of insulin hence Ketone bodies are the alternate source of energy. when glucose is in short supply, ketone bodies are made in the liver by break down of fat when there is not enough sugar or glucose to supply body's fuel needs.

Rickets is a condition especially due to deficiency of vitamin D which results in weak and soft bones in children. In Elderly patients, Rickets that occur due to chronic renal insufficiency is called Renal rickets. Renal rickets is bending of weight-bearing long bones in Elderly Persons. Bones become weak which results in bending of bone because excess calcium is lost through urine due to renal insufficiency.

If one kidney is removed, the other kidney will take over the work of the removed kidney and thus nothing will happen to the person and he will survive. 

Ketonuria is a term, which describes the presence of ketone bodies in the urine. Ketones are produced in the body as part of the breakdown of fatty acids. When they are present in the urine, it indicates that the body is burning fat for energy. Ketonuria occurs when diabetes mellitus becomes out of control and blood sugar levels rise too high. When this happens, the body, not having sufficient insulin to get energy into the bodys cells, breaks down body tissue (fat and muscle) into ketones, which can be used as fuel without the need for insulin.

An X-ray of lower abdomen shows shades in the region of the ureter suspected to be a ureteric calculus.  As the formation of calculus (renal stones) blocks ureter it leads to anuria (no passage of urine) and as the stones grow larger they cause irritation of wall of ureter which leads to blood in urine i.e haematuria. Hence a possible clinical symptom would be Anuria and haematuria.

Renal glycosuria, is a rare condition in which the simple sugar glucose is eliminated (excreted) in the urine despite normal or low blood glucose levels. With normal kidney (renal) function, glucose is excreted in the urine only when there are abnormally elevated levels of glucose in the blood. However, in those with renal glycosuria, glucose is abnormally eliminated in the urine due to improper functioning of the renal tubules, which are primary components of the filtering units of the kidneys (nephrons). 

ADH(antiduretic hormone) causes polyuria(excessive urine volume)and polydipsia (increase thirst).The deficiency of ADH causes excessive secretion of urine due to lack of reabsorption at distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct and result in excess thirst.ADH deficiency caused diabetes insipidus.