Kidney Disease: Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

General information about cystitis

Among bladder diseases, the most common is inflammation, called cystitis.
Cystitis is an infectious disease. In the first place among pathogens is E. coli, in second place is staphylococcus, and sexually transmitted infections are also important [2]. More often it occurs in women. More than a third of women aged 20 to 40 experience at least 1 episode of urinary infection during the year. In 50% of women, cystitis recurs within a year, which in 90% of cases is due to re-infection. Frequent relapses lead to chronic cystitis. Chronic inflammation in the organ can result in other diseases and cause partial obstruction of the bladder neck and urethra. Against the background of chronic inflammation, polyps, diverticula, leukoplakia may appear, and infected stones—struvite—can form [2].

There are different types of cystitis [3]:

• eosinophilic;
• ray;
• drug;
• thermal;
• traumatic, etc.

Cystitis is most often an infectious disease, therefore, treatment is aimed at getting rid of the causative agent of the infection. Antibacterial therapy is considered the main treatment for cystitis.

Herbal diuretics are used as part of the complex treatment of urinary tract infections [2]. These include Fitolysin® paste for preparing a suspension for oral administration. The drug contains 9 plant components, as well as 4 essential oils, helps relieve inflammation, spasm and pain [9]. Suspension from Phytolysin® paste is prepared quickly. There is no need to infuse or strain anything, as is the case with herbal infusions; you just need to dissolve the product in water and drink [4].

Osteochondrosis

Over time, the spine is subjected to daily stress and minor injuries, which ultimately leads to wear and tear of the intervertebral discs and their degeneration. The fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is damaged under load, micro-tears of fibrous tissue occur, and then the damaged area is replaced by scar tissue, the elastic properties of which are much worse than those of fibrous tissue. Such changes in the annulus fibrosus lead to decreased shock-absorbing function of the disc and a greater risk of recurrent disc ruptures. As the annulus fibrosus becomes scarred, the gelatinous part of the disc (nucleus) also gradually shrinks, which in turn leads to a decrease in disc height. As the height of the disc and shock-absorbing functions decrease, the vertebrae begin to exert more pressure on each other under load, which leads to the formation of bone growths (osteophytes). Violation of the integrity of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of disc herniations. Disc herniations and osteophytes can cause compression or stenosis, leading to neurological symptoms.

What are the types of bladder diseases?

In addition to infectious cystitis, the bladder is also susceptible to other diseases.

Parasitic diseases

Infection with parasites mainly occurs during travel to tropical countries in Asia and Africa. Damage to the submucous membrane of the bladder is characteristic of schistosomiasis. Schistosome larvae enter the human body when swimming in contaminated water or drinking contaminated water. The parasite penetrates the skin of people in water. Through the blood and lymphatic routes, schistosome penetrates the pelvic organs and lays eggs that accumulate in the submucosa of the bladder and genital organs [2].

When the muscles of the organs contract, the eggs pierce the mucous membrane and come out with urine. The bladder shrinks due to extensive damage to the submucosal and muscle layers.

The affected mucous membrane is predisposed to cancerous degeneration. An early sign is the appearance of a drop of blood at the end of urination. Most patients indicate cutting pain in the urethra during or at the end of urination, the appearance of drops of blood, weakness, fatigue, malaise, pain in the lower abdomen, often from the right hypochondrium, headache and muscle soreness. Patients noticeably lose weight and their body temperature is constantly elevated [2].

Urolithiasis disease

Associated with the formation of stones in the urinary system. They can form in the bladder itself or get there from the kidneys through the ureters. The causes of stone formation are metabolic pathologies, stagnation of urine, and infected urine. More often the problem occurs in childhood and old age.

Bladder stones form when there is an obstruction to the flow of urine, for example, due to chronic inflammation associated with cystitis. Salts begin to separate from stagnant urine, and their crystals combine to form stones. Symptoms include nagging pain above the pubis and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Stones reduce the volume of the organ, so urination becomes more frequent. When small stones or sand pass away, pain appears, and sometimes blood is released [2, 5].

Bladder diverticula

A diverticulum is a sac-like protrusion of the bladder wall outward, communicating with the main cavity of the organ. Diverticula can be single or multiple, true (congenital) or false (acquired).

A true diverticulum is characterized by the presence of all layers of the bladder wall; a false diverticulum is characterized by a protrusion of the mucous membrane between the muscle bundles of the detrusor (the muscle that expels urine), most often due to a violation of the outflow of urine. Stones are sometimes found in the cavity of the diverticulum. In the presence of a diverticulum, urine stagnation occurs and chronic cystitis develops, which is very difficult to treat [1].

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia looks like whitish spots on the mucous membranes and is associated with the proliferation and degeneration of the epithelium. The cause of leukoplakia of the bladder is considered to be chronic inflammation, especially caused by urogenital infections. The mucous membrane of the organ is constantly in contact with aggressive, chemically active contents (urine), therefore it is normally covered with a protective film - a glycosaminoglycan layer. Inflammation destroys this layer, changes mucosal cells, which degenerate into leukoplakia, and then, possibly, into tumors [2].

Polyps

They are papillary structures protruding above the surface of the bladder mucosa. Polyps are formed due to chronic inflammation in the organ, for example, due to prolonged catheterization. After removal of the catheter, they may disappear spontaneously, but this does not always happen. Polyps are benign formations that may not manifest themselves in any way. Sometimes blood may appear in the urine.

Bladder tumors

Tumors can be benign (papilloma, adenoma, fibroma, myoma) and malignant (up to 90% are transitional cell carcinoma). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 3% of all malignant neoplasms and up to 70% of tumors of the genitourinary system are bladder cancer. The disease is much more common in men.

The main risk factors for the development and progression of bladder cancer are smoking and prolonged contact with petroleum products, paints and other chemicals. Bladder cancer occurs 4 times more often in smokers than in non-smokers [2].

A bladder tumor is manifested by pain in the lower abdomen, urinary retention, and blood appears in the urine at the end of urination. In the later stages of a malignant tumor, pain in the bones, in the side, heaviness in the liver area, and swelling of the lower extremities may appear due to the spread of metastases [6].

Overactive Bladder

A neurogenic disease associated with involuntary contractions of the detrusor during organ filling. In about a third of patients, this is associated with neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, vascular diseases of the brain, etc.). For others, it is an independent pathology associated with impaired innervation of the bladder and increased sensitivity of muscle cells to stretching. Symptoms of an overactive bladder are an urgent, uncontrollable urge to urinate, urinary incontinence, pain in the lower abdomen, and going to the toilet several times at night [7].

Bladder endometriosis

The disease exclusively affects women. It is characterized by the growth in the walls of the bladder of tissue similar in structure to the uterine lining - the endometrium. Most often, endometriosis of the bladder develops after surgical interventions on the pelvic organs. Symptoms appear on the eve of or during menstruation: pain in the lower abdomen, painful and frequent urination, blood in the urine, uncontrollable urges [8].

Herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when the annulus fibrosus that surrounds the intervertebral disc ruptures. This rupture causes the central portion of the disc, which contains a substance called nucleus pulposus, to be released. When pressure is applied to the vertebrae above and below, the nucleus pulposus comes out, puts pressure on nearby nerve structures and causes severe pain and nerve damage. Disc herniations most often occur in the lumbar spine and are sometimes called disc extrusion.

Symptoms of bladder diseases

Signs of bladder damage include [6]:

• hematuria - the appearance of blood in the urine. Blood in the urine is a serious symptom of a disease of the genitourinary system, often cancer, and therefore it is always necessary to determine the source of bleeding and its cause;
• cloudy urine, sediment, unpleasant putrid odor;
• dysuric manifestations: frequent daytime or nighttime urination, sudden uncontrollable urges, urinary incontinence, painful, difficult urination, urinary retention (sluggish stream, need to strain, urine leakage drop by drop);
• lower abdominal pain.

These signs occur in different diseases of the organ, but the degree of their severity may vary. If such symptoms appear, you should see a doctor.

Radiculopathy

The term radiculitis (radiculopathy) is widely used and means root compression. Radiculitis can occur in both the lumbar and cervical spine, or much less frequently in the thoracic spine. Root compression occurs when there is excess pressure on the nerve root. Excessive pressure can come from both bone tissue and soft tissue (muscles, cartilage, ligaments). This pressure disrupts nerve function, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone tissue, including the vertebrae, weakens, which increases the risk of vertebral fracture, even with minor loads. Vertebral compression fractures are the most common type of fracture caused by osteoporosis, and hip and wrist fractures are also possible with osteoporosis. These vertebral fractures can change the shape and strength of the spine, especially in older women, who often develop spinal deformity as a result of such fractures. The spine becomes excessively tilted in the thoracic region (kyphosis) and the shoulders bulge forward. With severe osteoporosis, even simple movements such as bending forward can lead to vertebral fractures.

Diagnosis of diseases

Diagnosis of bladder diseases begins with a survey and examination by a doctor. The patient needs to be told in detail about the symptoms, circumstances of occurrence and stages of development of the disease, medications taken, and treatment performed. If you have the results of past examinations on hand, you need to take them with you to your appointment.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations [6]:

• three-glass sample. With its help, you can identify the source of blood and pus in the urine. The patient urinates successively in 3 containers during one urination. If the bladder turns out to be a source of blood, then it will appear in the last (3rd) portion of urine, if the source of pus is the source, the urine will be cloudy in all three glasses [6].
• laboratory: general urine analysis, cytological, biochemical examination of urine, according to Nechiporenko, general clinical and biochemical blood analysis, determination of tumor markers in blood and urine;
• Ultrasound;
• MRI and CT;
• X-ray diagnostics with contrast (excretory cystography);
• urethrocystoscopy - the doctor examines the bladder using a cystoscope and can immediately pinch off a piece of suspiciously altered mucosa for histological examination.

Gastrointestinal tract and causes of its pathologies

Gastrointestinal tract - as one mechanism

The human body is a complex mechanism consisting of many systems that function harmoniously and ensure its viability. The digestive system plays an important role in the life of any organism.

This is due to the fact that a person cannot live without food: with food, he receives everything he needs for normal life - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, various vitamins and other elements.

These particles not only play the role of “fuel”, filling the body with the necessary energy, but are also necessary as a building material that is used to restore and create new cells in all human organs and systems.

The gastrointestinal tract is part of the digestive system, with the help of which the body processes food entering through the mouth and esophagus, and receives from it all the useful and necessary components. The digestive system has several functions, including:

• motor-mechanical function that contributes to the grinding of food and its normal transportation through the intestines for further excretion
• secretory function - with its help, the necessary processing of crushed food particles is carried out using various enzymes, juices, and bile. Secretory function is necessary for the digestion process to proceed correctly and fully.
• absorption function, through which all necessary nutrients and fluids are absorbed

Gastrointestinal diseases are divided into 3 groups

Under the influence of many negative factors, disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract often occur, resulting in the emergence and development of diseases in this part of the human digestive system. The development of such pathologies can be provoked by the following reasons:

1. poor nutrition. This reason includes: overeating, undereating, irregularity in food intake, excessive speed of its absorption, consumption of monotonous foods. A poorly balanced diet also plays an important role in the process of deteriorating digestion. Among other things, the gastrointestinal tract is negatively affected by harmful additives, dyes and preservatives, which are contained in many products.
2. poor environmental condition. The digestive system is adversely affected by low-quality water, pesticides contained in products of plant origin, preservatives and other harmful substances found in products of animal origin.
3. congenital predisposition to certain diseases
4. side effects of certain medications
5. violation of sanitary standards in the process of preparing and consuming food
6. poor state of the nervous system: stress, overexertion
7. harmful or simply difficult working conditions
8. infectious diseases
9. parasitic infestations
10. endocrine system diseases
11. bad habits

Due to the fact that this list of reasons is quite wide, the likelihood of one or another disease of the digestive system occurring is quite high. It is extremely important to pay attention to the state of your health and, if the slightest signs of disturbances in the functioning of the body appear, consult a doctor in a timely manner. This will help reduce the risk of developing serious diseases and their consequences.

Treatment

Bladder treatment is carried out by a general practitioner and a urologist. Sometimes consultation with related specialists is required: gynecologist, venereologist, oncologist, surgeon, neurologist, etc. Conservative and surgical treatment methods are used. A specialist can also recommend a therapeutic diet, special exercises (for example, for incontinence), and lifestyle changes [2].

Bibliography:

1. Paukov V.S. Pathology: manual / Ed. V.S. Paukova, M.A. Paltseva, E.G. Ulumbekova - 2nd ed., revised. and additional - Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2015. - 2500 pp., p. 17, chapter 14, pp. 92-103.
2. Lopatkin N. A. Urology / Ed. ON THE. Lopatkina - Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2011. - 1024 pp., p. 48, ch. 26.02, pp.1-16.
3. Khalilova U.A., Skvortsov V.V. et al. Cystitis. Nurse. 2018; 6:6-11.
4. Instructions for use of the drug PHYTOLYSIN® Paste for the preparation of a suspension for oral administration.
5. Chibisov S.M., Illarionova T.S. et al. Urolithiasis: range of medicines. Basic research. – 2006. – No. 11 – P. 21-30.
6. Glybochko P.V. Urology. From symptoms to diagnosis and treatment. Illustrated guide: textbook. manual / ed. P.V. Glybochko, Yu.G. Alyaeva, N.A. Grigorieva - Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2014. - 148 p., p. 33, p. 2., p. 5-8.
7. Lyubarskaya Yu.O., Atduev V.A. Overactive bladder. Remedium. Volga region. June 2014; 5 (125): 36-41.
8. Yarin G.Yu., Wilhelmi I.A. Interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of bladder endometriosis. Urology. 2018; 4: 118-121.
9. As part of complex therapy, Fitolysin® Paste for the preparation of a suspension for oral administration relieves pain in cystitis caused by inflammation and spasm, due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect, relieves frequent urges due to its antispasmodic effect.

Spinal tumors

Spinal tumors are quite rare. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Primary malignant tumors of the spinal cord are very rare. Malignant spinal tumors are usually metastatic in nature and have a primary focus in other organs and tissues.

From a clinical and anatomical point of view, tumors can be classified as epidural, intradural extramedullary and intramedullary tumors.

Metastatic tumors of the spine are the most common for bone metastases.

The most common solid tumors secondary to the spine are breast, prostate, and renal carcinoma, which account for almost 80% of spinal metastases. Tumors of unknown primary origin account for about 5% -10% of cases. Metastases of neoplasms of the hematopoietic system account for about 4% -10%.