Disorders and Diseases

It has been said that you must drink enough water. But have you ever pondered why this is the case? It’s because a lack of water can result in disorders of the excretory system, such as kidney failure, kidney stone formation, and uraemia, among other things. These diseases might result in a complete change in your way of living, which can have a negative impact on your general health. The excretory system is a vital biological mechanism in the human body, as it is responsible for eliminating excess or waste materials from the body in order to maintain homeostasis. These waste products are produced by the human body’s metabolism and are expelled from the body through sweat, urine, and faeces. Despite the fact that multiple organs are involved in this process, the name excretory system is reserved for organs that are directly involved in the expulsion procedure. The kidneys, sweat glands, liver, and large intestine are all part of this system. Infections of the excretory system occur when one or more of the excretory systems stop functioning normally. This is by no means a desirable condition. An individual may become afflicted with a variety of diseases as a result of this.

Role of Various Excretory Systems

• Filtration of waste materials and surplus water from the blood is the responsibility of the kidneys.
• The liver is responsible for the breakdown of spare amino acids and other pollutants found in the bloodstream.
• In addition, the large intestine is responsible for removing solid wastes that are left over after food has been digested .
• The sweat glands are responsible for removing excess water and salt from the body through sweat.
• Finally, but not least, the lungs release carbon dioxide and water vapour into the atmosphere.

Common Disorders of the Excretory System

All living things require food in order to generate energy, which allows them to carry out their biological activities and maintain their survival. As a result of these operations, they produce specific by-products that must be removed from the environment. This is referred to as excretion. The excretory system is a specialised system found in the human body that performs a variety of functions.

The excretory system in humans is made up of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra, which are all connected. They are collectively referred to as the urinary system, and they are in charge of the elimination of the waste product urine.

Kidney Stones

Renal calculi, as they are also known, are produced as a result of the accumulation of calcium or uric acid crystals within the kidneys. Generally speaking, they tend to separate out of the urine and remain in the kidneys. It is possible that these stones are caused by a variety of factors, including infections, excessive calcium absorption or limited excretion, and inadequate water intake.

In addition to colic pain, back and stomach aches, nausea and vomiting are all possible symptoms of kidney stones. Depending on their quantity and size, their treatment might range from electrolyte balance to medications to surgery and all in between.

Kidney Failure

This condition, which is also known as renal failure, is characterised by the termination of the functioning of one or both kidneys. Granulosa cell filtration (GFR) is a mechanism in which the kidneys are responsible for filtering urine. When a person has renal failure, one or both kidneys are unable to perform this filtration function. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to kidney failure, including damaged tubules, diabetes that has cardiac consequences, kidney stones, and chronic medication consumption, to mention a few. Acute kidney failure differs from chronic kidney failure in that it is more severe.

Acute renal failure is the phrase used to describe kidney failure that happens suddenly and without warning. Chronic kidney failure occurs when the kidney’s ability to operate steadily diminishes over a period of time. Electrolyte replacement therapy, antihypertensive medications, dialysis, and kidney transplant surgery are all alternatives for treating renal failure, among other things.

Urethritis

Urinary tract inflammation is a disorder characterised by inflammation of the urethra. The urethra is a tube that extends from the urinary bladder and is responsible for aiding in the expulsion of urine from the body. Males have a longer tail, while females have a shorter tail. It is most usually caused by germs, which can be acquired through sexual contact or acquired through non-sexual means.

Burning sensation when passing pee, frequent urination, and pain in the abdomen before and after passing urine are all symptoms of kidney stones. It is fairly prevalent in sexually active persons, and it may be rather distressing. A course of antibiotics is prescribed, as well as alkaline syrups to neutralise the acidity of the urine, which is the source of the burning sensation in the legs.

Uremia

The elevation of urea levels in the blood is the most distinguishing feature of this illness. This occurs as a result of the kidneys’ inability to remove urea, which results in the accumulation of urea and an increase in its levels in the blood. Dialysis is a therapy option that can be used to repair this issue while also addressing the underlying cause of the condition.

Anuria

This is a condition that is defined by the inability to pass urine. There are a variety of therapeutic options available, but the most important is to increase fluid and electrolyte intake as much as possible.

Polyuria

It is a word used to describe the passing of urine in large quantities or on a regular basis. When the kidneys are unable to filter and reabsorb the water from the urine, this condition is called renal failure. It is a symptom that can be associated with a variety of underlying bodily disorders, including diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.

Treatment:

When kidney failure is detected, dialysis should be started as soon as feasible to ensure the best potential outcome. Hemodialysis is a process in which blood is filtered by the use of an artificial kidney known as a hemodialyzer, which is employed in this method.

The second is kidney transplantation, in which a healthy kidney is transferred from a healthy donor to a recipient who is suffering from renal failure.

Glomerulonephritis: An inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidney occurs as a result of this condition, resulting in the presence of proteins and red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine. Severe cases result in full destruction of the glomeruli, resulting in acute or chronic renal failure. It is possible that you have an autoimmune condition.

Conclusion

This system is a passive biological mechanism that eliminates excess and superfluous elements from an organism’s bodily fluids in order to assist it in maintaining internal chemical homeostasis and preventing damage to its organs and tissues. As a result, in order to maintain our physical health, we should maintain a healthy lifestyle. Consume a well-balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, refrain from smoking and using tobacco products, and be cautious of OTC drugs.

Drink plenty of water, and have your kidneys checked once a year.