Kidney Stones- Nephrolithiasis
Causes?
Dehydration is the #1 cause of getting a kidney stone. Not drinking enough water can cause the other substances in the urine to stick together and form a "stone". When the normal balance of salts, water, minerals, and other substances present in the urine change abruptly, you can get a kidney stone. Kidney stones can also be passed onto ones offspring.
Symptoms?
When one has kidney stones, symptoms do not become "felt" until they are moved around the kidney, or passes into your ureter. After this has happened, one will feel a strong pain in their side and back. The pain varies in intensity below your ribcage. If ones urine is either pink, red, or brown, they most likely have a kidney stone. Cloudy, foul-smelling urine will also be present if you have a kidney stone.
Treatments?
Previously, all doctors could do was surgically remove a kidney stone. Now they have easier alternatives. A doctor can send shock waves, which breaks the larger stone into littler stones and causes them to be small enough to leave the body through the urethra and in with your urine. A doctor could also use a ureteroscope, which looks like a long wire. They pass it up through the bladder, and a camera is attached to the wire. This allows for the doctor to be able to see the stone, and pull it out with a cage type device.
Urethritis
Causes?
It is caused by an inflammation of the urethra. Urethritis can be caused by bacteria near the rectum, that spreads up the urethra and into the bladder. It can be caused by the similar bacteria that causes UTI's and gonorrhea.
Symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on the gender. But overall, symptoms include pain during urination, frequent urination, chills, and swelling. Many times, the symptoms are not felt at first, but if you think you might have urethritis, you should go to a doctor immidietally.
Treatments?
Treatment includes antibiotics, or antiviral medication. This is not a disease that will go away on its own. Pain medications may also be prescribed to reduce the symptoms.