What happens if the excretory system goes wrong

Blockage may be partial or complete, affect one side or both sides, and develop rapidly acutely or slowly chronically. The most common causes overall are. In children: Structural abnormalities—for example, birth defects such as valves in the inside back part of the urethra called posterior urethral valves—see Urethra Defects Urethra Defects The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder out of the body. There are several types of birth defects of the urethra In young adults: Stones in a kidney or ureter or elsewhere in the urinary tract Stones in the Urinary Tract read more.

In older adults: Benign prostatic hyperplasia Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH is a noncancerous benign enlargement of the prostate gland that can make urination difficult.

Symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, a need to urinate frequently and urgently, and blood in the urine, usually occur only after the cancer Because BPH is so common in older men, obstruction is more common among men. Other common causes of obstruction include strictures Urethral Stricture A urethral stricture is scarring that narrows the urethra.

A urethral stricture may be Present from birth Develop after an infection or injury A urethral stricture most commonly results from Disorders of the muscles or nerves in the ureter or bladder such as due to drugs that have anticholinergic effects [see Anticholinergic: What Does It Mean? Anticholinergic: What Does It Mean? Drugs, the most common medical intervention, are an important part of medical care for older people.

Without drugs, many older people would function less well or die at an earlier age. Formation of fibrous scar tissue in or around the ureter resulting from surgery, radiation therapy, or drugs especially methysergide.

Hydronephrosis of both kidneys can occur during pregnancy as the enlarging uterus compresses the ureters. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may worsen the problem by reducing the muscular contractions that normally move urine down the ureters. This condition, commonly called hydronephrosis of pregnancy, usually resolves when the pregnancy ends, although the renal pelvis and ureters may remain somewhat distended afterward.

Symptoms depend on the cause, location, and duration of the obstruction. If the kidney is distended, renal colic can develop. Renal colic is an excruciating pain between the ribs and hip on the affected side that comes and goes every few minutes. The pain may extend into a testis or the vaginal area. People may have nausea and vomiting. Obstruction of one ureter does not reduce how much people urinate. Obstruction can stop or reduce urination if blockage affects the ureters from both kidneys or if it affects the urethra.

Obstruction of the urethra or bladder outlet may cause pain, pressure, and distention of the bladder. People who have slowly progressive obstruction that causes hydronephrosis may have no symptoms, or they may have attacks of dull, aching discomfort in the flank the part of the back between the lower end of the ribs and the spine on the affected side. Sometimes, a kidney stone temporarily blocks the ureter and causes pain that occurs intermittently.

Obstruction that leads to hydronephrosis may cause vague digestive tract symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms sometimes occur in children when hydronephrosis results from a birth defect in which the junction of the ureter and renal pelvis is too narrow ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Signs and symptoms depend on where the obstruction occurs, whether it's partial or complete, how quickly it develops, and whether it affects one or both kidneys. A duplicated ureter occurs when two ureters form on the same kidney.

A ureterocele is a small bulge in the ureter, usually in the end closest to the bladder. Both conditions may lead to ureteral obstruction.

Different types of ureteral obstruction have different causes, some of them present at birth congenital. They include:. Various causes inside intrinsic or outside extrinsic the ureter can lead to ureteral obstruction, including:. Ureteral obstruction can lead to urinary tract infections and kidney damage, which can be irreversible.

Ureteral obstruction care at Mayo Clinic. The most common problems after treatment are leaking urine or delayed bleeding. If these things fail, surgery may be needed. The kidney may need to be taken out.

This is treated by draining the infection with a tube placed into the abscess. Sometimes surgery is needed to drain the abscess. Some patients get high blood pressure after major kidney trauma. This may be treated with medication, interventional radiology including stent placement , or surgery including removal of the kidney. This web site has been optimized for user experience and security, therefore Internet Explorer IE is not a recommended browser.

Thank you. What is Kidney Renal Trauma? Kidney renal trauma is when a kidney is injured by an outside force. Penetrating trauma — damage caused by an object that pierces the skin and enters the body. As a filter, the kidney controls many things to keep us healthy: Fluid balance Electrolyte levels e. Blunt trauma can be caused by Car accident children are especially vulnerable to injury in car accidents Fall Being hit hard by a heavy object, especially in the flanks between the rib and the hip An action where the body comes to a sudden stop after moving quickly Penetrating trauma can be caused by Bullet Knife Any object piercing the body Kidney injury is rated on a five-grade scale based on how bad it is.

A simple dipstick urine test can detect microscopic hematuria. Computerized Tomography A computerized tomography CT scan with intravenous IV contrast a special dye is the best way to assess kidney injury. Dialysis The two major forms of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Kidney Transplant A donated kidney may come from an anonymous donor who has recently died or from a living person, usually a relative. Points to Remember Your kidneys are vital organs that keep your blood clean and chemically balanced. The progression of kidney disease can be slowed, but it cannot always be reversed. End-stage renal disease ESRD is the total loss of kidney function.

Dialysis and transplantation can extend the lives of people with ESRD. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure. You should see a nephrologist regularly if you have renal disease.

Chronic kidney disease CKD increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Transplant Program. Back One Level. Understanding Kidney Disease. Stages of Kidney Disease.