Vitamin B-12 deficiency does not cause pyroluria, a genetic abnormality. Pyroluria results from a defect in your hemoglobin production that produces too much of a byproduct called pyrroles. Hemoglobin is a protein that houses iron in red blood...
The kidneys, part of the body's urinary system, are important eliminatory organs---they help clean the body of wastes and toxins. They also regulate the amount of body fluids, which has an effect on blood pressure and heart health. Problems...
A urinalysis is an important diagnostic tool used to identify medical problems with the kidneys and genito urinary system. Performed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, a urinalysis is a simple test that yields quick results. Although a...
Urine analysis involves inspection and testing of a urine sample to screen for disease and infection. Collection of uncontaminated urine from an infant or small child can be challenging, but your pediatrician will give you advice regarding the...
Urinary tract infections account for the majority of serious bacterial infections affecting infants. The prevalence of urinary tract infection in female infants is slightly higher than in boys. The leading cause of urinary tract infection in...
If you're showing signs and symptoms of a bladder or urinary tract infection, your doctor should perform an analysis on a sample of your blood or urine, or both. Your doctor will be looking for laboratory evidence of a high concentration of...
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately half a million emergency room visits are attributed to kidney stones each year. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys by...
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 8.3 million doctor visits a year are for urinary tract infections, the second most common type of infection. About 20 percent of all women will develop a urinary tract infection over...
The kidneys are the organs that remove waste products from the blood, maintain hydration levels, balance the body’s electrolytes and produce some vital hormones. Occasionally, some waste products will form crystals that can build up to form...
Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, describe infections that are able to colonize the urethra. In addition to being painful, these infections can affect other parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, causing a serious condition...
Glucose is a simple sugar known as a monosaccharide that is utilized as the body's primary source of energy. Glucose is produced from carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and is transferred through the bloodstream to the body's cells. The cells then...
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can be divided into upper tract and lower tract infections. An example of an upper UTI is pyelonephritis, in which the kidney becomes infected and inflamed. In cystitis, a lower UTI, the bladder becomes...
Sodium is a critical nutrient for proper functioning of your body. It works as an electrolyte, along with minerals such as potassium and chloride, to maintain fluid balance in and outside of your cells. Sodium is also critical for proper nervous...
It is common for the prostate gland to enlarge as a man ages. The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most men experience symptoms of BPH, such as...
The National Association for Continence (NAFC) estimates that 25 million adult Americans experience transient or chronic urinary incontinence. The most common type of incontinence in women is stress incontinence and is defined as "the involuntary...
