The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. Urinary system diseases have a wide range of severity, from minor to life-threatening. They have a wide variety of causes as well. The National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) reports that some of the common causes of urinary system diseases are related to age, illness or other injuries.
Urinary Tract Infection
Bacteria that enter the urinary tract may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can affect the urethra, bladder or even the kidneys. The NKUDIC reports that UTIs are more common in women; however, they can occur in men as well. A UTI in the bladder may also be called cystitis, and a UTI in the kidneys may be called pyelonephritis. UTIs are usually managed well with antibiotics.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a bit of a medical mystery. Its cause is not known; however, IC is a chronic bladder condition. It can cause bladder scarring, and can make the bladder less elastic. This often means the bladder won't hold as much urine. IC can cause pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and increased urinary frequency. New York Presbyterian Hospital reports that IC may also be called painful bladder syndrome, or frequency-urgency-dysuria syndrome.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a urinary system disorder distinct to men. Prostatitis is swelling of the prostate gland. It has a number of different potential causes but often has the same symptoms. These include urinary urgency and frequency, pelvic pain, and pain during urination. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has similar symptoms to prostatitis but is often caused by advanced age. New York Presbyterian Hospital reports that BPH results in constriction of the urethra, which, in addition to urinary frequency and urgency, can result in urinary incontinence or urinary retention.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small pieces of material that may be present anywhere in the urinary tract. Medline plus reports that small stones often pass easily; however, larger ones (up to the size of a pearl) may get stuck and require medical attention. Kidney stones can cause pain in the back and sides, as well as blood in the urine. The NKUDIC reports that they are more common in men than women.
Kidney Failure
Also called renal failure, kidney failure may be acute (often temporary) or can become a chronic condition. The NKUDIC reports that kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter waste from the blood for any reason. Acute cases may be caused by trauma or other damage, and may recover over time with treatment. However, renal disease may lead to chronic kidney failure, which may require dialysis treatments or even a kidney transplant.
Bladder Cancer
According to Medline Plus, bladder cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer in the U.S. Its symptoms are often similar to those of a UTI. Bladder cancer can cause back or pelvic pain, pain during urination and urinary frequency and urgency. It may also cause blood to appear in the urine. New York Presbyterian Hospital reports that recovery from bladder cancer depends largely on the size of the tumor, and the stage at which it is diagnosed.
