The Kidney (2)

What causes Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)? UTIs are (in many cases) very painful an can be dangerous for the renal pelvis. They are commonly caused when bacteria from the anal orifice enter the urethra. Women are more frequently affected than men, because of their shorter urethra. Because of the shorter urethra, bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder and may cause serious infections.

Main causes of UTIs:

having a weakened immune system (type 2 diabetes, chemotherapy or HIV) kidney stones (they block the urinary tract) dehydration (bacteria are not flushed out quickly enough) enlarged prostate gland (difficult to empty the bladder) constipation (enlarged bowel blocks urinary tract) pregnancy (foetus squeezes the bladder) urinary catheters (catheter pushes the microorganisms up to the bladder) sex (during sex, the bacteria can be transferred to the vaginal cavity, because of the motion – urination within 30 min after having sex lowers the risk of getting an UTI) birth control (hormonal shift may change the normal vaginal bacteria. Use of diaphragms and spermicides can also lead to UTI) feminine products (frequently changing tampons and pads during the period helps prevent UTI) Glomerulonephritis This is caused when the Glomeruli in the Bowman’s capsules are damaged. This disease will only be diagnosed by chance, e.g. when blood or urine tests are carried out for another reason. The physician has to differentiate between acute glomerulonephritis and chronic glomerulonephritis. Usually there aren’t any noticeable symptoms during either disease. In some cases, glomerulonephritis can lead to long-term kidney problems, mild cases can be treated effectively.

Causes of glomerulonephritis:

Acute Glomerulonephritis

weakened immune system (strep throat, Lupus Erythematosus, Goodpasture’s Syndrome, Wegener’s Disease, Polyarteriitis Nodosa, Vasculitis, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Endocarditis) Chronic Glomerulonephritis

inherited Glomerulonephritis What causes Kidney stones? Kidney stones are accumulations of calcium, ammonia, uric acid and cysteine. Patients who are on certain medications are at risk of having an unusual high level of these substances in their urine. Not drinking enough fluids can also develop kidney stones.

If suffering from recurrent kidney stones, the following causes are probable:

inactive or bed-bound patients a family history of kidney stones having kidney stones before the age of 25 having only one fully working kidney Crohn’s disease eating a high-protein, low fibre diet several prior kidney or urinary infections obesity certain medications (too much calcium and vitamin C supplements) What causes Kidney cancer? Kidney cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Also called renal cancer, it affects people in the age of 60 or 70, and in rare cases those under 50.

This cancer can often be cured if it is diagnosed early. But when diagnosed after metastasizing it can rarely be cured. There are many known types of kidney cancer. The most common type is Renal Cell Carcinoma. The following factors increase the probability of developing kidney cancer:

smoking (particularly heavy smoking) obesity (BMI 30 or more) hypertension long-term dialysis a family history of Renal Cell Carcinoma genetic conditions (von Hippel-Lindau syndrome increases the risk of kidney cancer) What causes Kidney failure ? If your kidneys lose the ability to filter the waste from your blood, the body will be overloaded with toxins and waste products. In untreated cases it can lead to kidney failure. Kidney failure can be life-threatening .

There are acute and chronic forms. Chronic kidney failure often occurs from a severe acute situation, that injures the kidneys. In the case of a complete kidney failure both kidneys are damaged. If only one kidney fails it can be removed and the remaining kidney can continue to have normal renal function. If both kidneys are diseased, a donor kidney may transplanted.

The following causes may be responsible for kidney failure:

hypovolemia dehydration (loss of body fluid e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, fever) poor intake of fluids medication (diuretics may cause excessive water loss) a sudden loss of blood flow (caused through high blood pressure, a heart attack, heart disease, dehydration, a severe burn, an allergic reaction, sepsis or a severe infection) urine elimination problems (kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, blood clots, damage to the nerve that controls your bladder) infection an overload of toxins from heavy metals drugs and alcohol vasculitis (inflammation of the vessels) Lupus Erythematosus Glomerulonephritis Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Multiple Myeloma Cleroderma Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura chemotherapy drugs BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Mandal, AK.: Textbook of Nephrology, 3rd edition. Jaypee 2014.

2. http://dict.leo.org.

3. www.dict.cc.

4. www.webster-dictionary.org.

EXERCISE: 1. What happens if your kidneys stop working? a. You go an dialysis. b. nothing c. You need a transplant.

2. Kidney failure is caused by a. dehydration b. drugs and alcohol c. sun burn

3. What can you do to keep your kidneys healthy? a. watch your blood-pressure b. eat healthily and exercise c. get enough sleep

You‘ll find the answers on: http://tinyurl.com/weiterbildung-englisch

Die Autorin: Carmen Lobitz mail@lobitz-seminare.de www.lobitz-seminare.de

Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTA. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die u.a. Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten.

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Lösung für Exercise:

Answer: 1. c Answer: 2. a + b Answer: 3. a + b

The Kidney (2)

What causes Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

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The Kidney (2)

What causes Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

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