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Symptoms of Simple Kidney Cysts.

Most simple kidney cysts do not cause any signs or symptoms. However, when the cysts become large and press on other organs, it may cause pain. Most people with simple cysts often have high blood pressure, though the relationship is not yet well understood. In others, cysts may become infected or suddenly start to bleed. But less often causes an impairment of kidney function. Other types of cysts, however, can cause serious damage to the kidneys.

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Diagnosis of Simple Kidney Cysts.

Many people may not know that they have simple kidney cysts. The doctor may first discover it while checking for other problems using imaging procedures, such as computerized tomography (CT) scan or ultrasonography. If symptoms occur, your doctor might order additional tests to rule out other types of cysts or disorders of the kidneys.

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Treatment of Simple Kidney Cysts.

When simple cyst is found but does not cause complications, no treatment is often necessary. However, medical treatment or surgery may be needed if complications occur or are large enough to press on other organs.

One kidney cyst treatment procedure involves draining the cyst by puncturing it with a long needle inserted through the skin. The doctor uses ultrasonography to guide the needle to the cyst. Once drained, it is filled with a solution containing alcohol to make the tissue harder.

Surgery may be required if the cyst is large. The surgeon uses a laparoscope to drain the cyst and remove or burn away its outer tissue. This procedure allows a smaller incision and quicker recovery. Usually, patients stay in the hospital for a day or two.

Related Article:

• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Reference/Source: Scientific background provided by the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. NIH Publication No. 07–4618, February 2007

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Description

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract. The urinary tract include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate (in men), and the urethra. Any of the organs of the urinary tract can become infected, but most infections commonly involve the urethra or the bladder.

According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Women are more prone to having UTIs than men. However, UTIs can be very serious when they do occur in men.

UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics. But there are steps that you can do to reduce the chance of getting an infection.

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Types of Urinary Tract Infections

Bacteria usually cause urinary tract infections. When bacteria multiply, they can cause an infection. There are several types of UTI, which affect specific parts of the urinary tract.

 Urethritis. This is an infection that is limited to the urethra.

 Bladder Infection (Cystitis). Cystitis occurs when bacteria move to the bladder, multiply, and cause an infection.

 Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis). If infection in the bladder is not treated promptly, bacteria can travel to the ureters and can cause an infection of the kidneys. A kidney infection is clinically termed as pyelonephritis.

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Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

Not everyone with a urinary tract infection has symptoms, but most people experience at least some symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection include:

 Burning feeling when urinating

 Frequent urge to urinate, even when there is little urine to pass

 Pain in the back or side below the ribs

 Cloudy, dark, or unusual-smelling urine

 Blood in the urine (hematuria)

 Fever or chills

Seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

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Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Adults

Bacteria that can also live in the digestive tract usually cause a urinary tract infection. Most cases of UTI are caused by a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon. Other microorganisms, such as Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also cause infections of the urinary tract.

In many cases, bacteria first travel to the urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. The bacteria can travel from the urethra to the bladder and kidneys where they multiply and cause infection.

Normally, the body removes the bacteria. However, some people—including women and older people of both sexes—seem to be prone to infection.

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Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infections in Adults

Some people seem to be more prone of getting an infection than others. Risk factors include:

 Gender. Women are more prone to having infections than men. A key factor may be that a woman’s urethra is short, which may allow bacteria to have a quicker access to the bladder. Also, a woman’s urethral opening is near sources of bacteria from the anus and vagina.

 Abnormalities in the urinary tract. Any disorder or abnormality in the urinary tract that blocks the flow of urine may increase the likelihood of getting an infection. Such disorders or abnormalities may include kidney stones and having an enlarged prostate gland.

 Use of certain types of birth control. Women who use a diaphragm are more likely to develop a UTI than women who use other forms of birth control. Also, women whose partners use a condom with spermicidal foam also increase the risk.

 Diabetes and other disorders that suppress the immune system.

 Prolonged use of catheters, or tubes, placed in the urethra and bladder.

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Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection in Adults

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. Women may also be asked about the type of birth control they use. The doctor will also test a sample of your urine for pus and bacteria.

In the urinalysis test, the urine is examined for white and red blood cells and bacteria. Then the bacteria are grown in a culture and tested against different antibiotics to see which drug best destroys the bacteria. This last step is called a sensitivity test. (National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2005)

When an infection does not clear up with treatment, the doctor may order other tests to determine if the urinary tract is normal. Imaging tests to view the urinary tract may include intravenous pyelogram (IVP), ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and cystoscopy.

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Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Adults

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics, or antibacterial drugs. Antibiotics can kill the bacteria causing the infection. The antibiotic prescribed by the doctor will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.

For simple infections, you’ll be given 3 days of therapy. Often, a UTI can be cured with 1 or 2 days of treatment if the infection is not complicated by another disorder. More serious infections nay require longer antibiotic therapy. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and completely.

A pregnant woman with UTI should be treated promptly to avoid premature delivery of the baby and other risks. The doctor will consider various factors in selecting the best treatments.

The doctor may also prescribe medicines to relieve pain of a UTI. A heating pad may also help to relieve discomfort.

If you are also taking other medication or have allergies, be sure to have your health care provider know about it.

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Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Adults

Simple changes in daily habits may help prevent urinary tract infection (UTI) from occurring.

 Drink plenty of water everyday.

 Drink cranberry juice or take vitamin C. they both increase the acidity of urine, which prevents bacterial growth. Cranberry juice can also make the wall of the bladder slippery, which prevent bacteria from sticking to it. Talk to your doctor about taking cranberry juice if you are also taking other medications.

 Urinate frequently and go when you feel the urge. Don’t resist the urge to urinate.

 Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet, especially after a bowel movement. Wiping from front to back prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.

 Cleanse the genital area before sexual intercourse. Also, urinate shortly after sex. This can help flush away bacteria that might have entered the urethra during sex.

 Take showers instead of tub baths.

 Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches. They may irritate the urethra.

 Avoid using tight fitting jeans or nylon underwear. They may trap moisture and can help bacteria grow. You can wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes so that air can keep the area dry.

References:
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Urinary Tract Infections in Adults. National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD. NIH Publication No. 07—2097, December 2005. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/index.htm. Accessed August, 2008

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. What I Need to Know About Urinary Tract Infections. National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD. NIH Publication No. 07—4807, August 2007. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/index.htm. Accessed August, 2008

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Description

Medullary sponge kidney, or MSK, is a birth defect that affects the kidney tubules. The tubules are tiny tubes located inside the kidneys. Normally, urine flows through these tiny tubes as it is being formed. However, in MSK, cysts (tiny sacs) form in the medulla of the kidney, creating a sponge-like appearance. The medulla, also called renal medulla, is the inner part of the kidney. The cysts can compress the tubules, which keep urine from flowing freely. If urine is blocked, urinary tract infections (UTIs and kidney stones may develop).

Although MSK is present at birth, most cases do not seem to be inherited. MSK can cause problems such as hematuria, kidney stones, and UTIs. These problems do not usually appear until the ages of 30 to 40. This condition rarely leads to more serious problems such as total kidney failure.

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Signs and Symptoms of Medullary Sponge Kidney.

Many people with MSK have no symptoms. However, symptoms appear as a result of a UTI or kidney stone. UTIs and kidney stones may have the same symptoms, such as

 Burning or painful urination

 Pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, or groin

 Cloudy, dark, or blood in the urine (hematuria)

 Foul-smelling urine

 Fever and chills

 Vomiting

If you experience these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately.

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Diagnosis of Medullary Sponge Kidney.

If a person experience repeated UTIs or kidney stones, the doctor may suspect MSK. An x ray called intravenous pyelogram (IVP) may be ordered by the doctor to help confirm the diagnosis. In this test, a dye is injected into a vein. The dye then travels through the blood and eventually to the kidneys. The dye is filtered into the urinary tract makes urine visible on the x ray and will show any blockage in the urinary tract. If cysts are present, they will show up as clusters of light in the IVP.

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No treatment is available to get rid of cysts in MSK. Once diagnosis of MSK is confirmed, treatment focuses on curing UTIs, removing kidney stones, and preventing recurrence of infection and stones.

 Urinary tract infections.

The doctor will prescribe a medicine that kills bacteria. These medicines are called antibiotics. In order to prevent recurrent infections, a person with MSK may need to continue taking low-dose antibiotic.

 Kidney stones.

To remove kidney stones, a procedure called lithotripsy may be used, which uses sound waves to break the stones into smaller particles. The particles can then pass easily through the urinary tract with the flow of the urine. Another procedure to remove the stones involves the insertion of a thin tube called a uteroscope through the urethra and bladder to catch the stone and retrieve it.

People with MSK may be able to prevent more formation of stones through diet changes, medications, and drinking more fluids.

Reference:
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Medullary Sponge Kidney. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. NIH Publication No. 08—6235, July 2008. Web URL: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/medullaryspongekidney/index.htm. Accessed August 13, 2008

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