CARE OF THE URINARY SYSTEM
Your kidneys do not
require "flushing," "stimulation," or any of the things
that patent medicines may claim to achieve. Kidney disorder may produce low
back pain, and this symptom, together with any changes in the urine, should
always be reported immediately to your doctor.
Contrary to claims made for
certain "kidney medicines," they cannot cure 232 / Preventive Body
Care chronic pain in the back, which is seldom caused by a kidney disorder.
Don't take any medication for your kidneys except on a doctor's orders. Some
causes of kidney stones (renal calculi) are beyond control.
But prevention or
prompt treatment of infection is helpful in avoiding stone formation. Another
important preventive measure is maintenance of adequate urine flow. When the
urine becomes highly concentrated be- cause of excessive perspiration during
hot weather or exertion, there is increased tendency to form stones and to
develop infection. Drink plenty of water if you perspire heavily.
A floating
(movable) kidney is usually not serious, although it may cause discomfort.
Bright's disease (also called nephritis) is a potentially serious illness (page
601). Whenever the urine appears bloody, wine- colored, smoky, or at all unusual,
it may be a sign of Bright's disease which, as a rule, causes no pain. Always
see your doctor immediately if you notice any such urine changes.
See him
immediately, too, if the urine should appear to be cloudy or pus-laden.
Inflammation of the kidneys is called pyelitis. If treated early, this and many
other kidney disorders can be completely cured. If not cured, kidney infections
can slowly damage these vital organs, leading to high blood pressure and uremic
poisoning.
The bladder is subject to infection (cystitis) and inflammation.
These conditions usually yield to treatment with a suitable antibiotic
prescribed by your physician.
Never use a
"bladder pacifier" or other home remedy. Infections can be the cause
of incontinence, the inability to control urination. Frequency of urination can
be a symptom of a disorder such as diabetes. Difficult urination may be caused
by a urethral stricture or narrowing. Always consult a physician if you
experience frequent, difficult, or painful urination; don't attempt to treat
the condition yourself. It often is traceable to an easily cured inflammation,
but it may stern from a dis- ease such as prostate gland enlargement in men
(page 639). Stones can also form in the urinary bladder; never take any home
remedy to "dis- solve" them. If necessary, stones can be removed by
surgery.
