6 - Bathroom Trouble Flashcards
What is the medical term for blood in your urine?
Hematuria
What color should healthy urine ideally be?
Clear enough to read newsprint through
What does dark yellow urine indicate?
Dehydration
What common food can cause urine to appear red due to pigmentation?
Beets
What medication can turn your urine orange or red?
Phenazopyridine/Pyridium
What is endometriosis in relation to urine?
Uterine tissue develops inside the bladder, producing bloody urine during menstruation
True or False: Blood thinners increase the risk of blood in urine.
True
What condition can cause muscle breakdown and brown urine after intense exercise?
Rhabdomyolysis
What does red urine combined with body swelling suggest?
Kidney damage
What can prolonged use of NSAIDs lead to regarding urine?
Severe kidney damage and potentially bloody urine
What is a common symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Dysuria (painful urination)
What can foul-smelling urine indicate aside from dietary causes?
Urinary tract infection
What should you do if you experience severe pain in your lower pelvis and/or back?
Get to the E.R. for a kidney stone assessment
Fill in the blank: The condition where red blood cells lose their normal shape and can cause bloody urine is called _______.
Sickle cell disease
What unusual symptom may appear after a sore throat related to the kidneys?
Autoimmune attack leading to kidney problems
What can indicate a urinary tract infection in women?
Cloudy/smelly urine and frequent urination
What is interstitial cystitis?
A condition that mimics UTI symptoms without evidence of infection
What risk factor for bladder cancer increases with age?
Being over the age of fifty
What can cause urine to turn orange, aside from food?
Rifampin medication
What is a common cause of dysuria for women after sexual intercourse?
Local irritation from friction, spermicide, or semen
What should you do if you suspect you have a urinary tract infection?
See a physician within a day or two for tests
What can frequent UTIs be mitigated by?
Drinking lots of fluids and urinating after sex
What is the significance of a cystoscopy?
It allows a urologist to check for tumors in the bladder
What is the most common cause of dysuria?
Urinary tract infection
What is interstitial cystitis also known as?
Painful bladder syndrome.
What underlying problem may cause interstitial cystitis?
Inflammation in the lining of the bladder.
What fungus causes vaginal yeast infections?
Candida.
What factors increase the likelihood of a vaginal yeast infection?
- Abundant sugar (like in diabetes)
- Decrease in healthy vaginal bacteria (after taking antibiotics).
What are common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?
- Pain (including with urination)
- Itching
- Watery, whitish discharge (often compared to cottage cheese).
How are yeast infections typically treated?
- Anti-fungal gel
- A single dose of an antifungal pill.
What symptoms may indicate a sexually transmitted infection?
- Genital blisters
- Sores
- Yellowish discharge.
What serious condition can arise from a bad bladder infection?
Pyelonephritis.
What is the recommended action if experiencing fever, back pain, and nausea?
Get to the E.R. for urgent antibiotics.
What is polyuria?
Frequent urination.
What can cause frequent urination?
- Drinking too much water, caffeine, or alcohol
- Diabetes
- Kidney problems.
What medications can increase urine output?
Diuretics.
What is urinary retention?
Inability to pee despite feeling a full bladder.
What is the most common cause of urinary retention in men?
Enlarged prostate.
What should be done in case of urinary retention?
Seek urgent attention to prevent infection.
What are the symptoms of diabetes related to urination?
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Lightheadedness.
What condition involves leaking urine when coughing or laughing?
Stress incontinence.
What are Kegel exercises designed to improve?
Pelvic muscle strength.
What is an overactive bladder?
A condition where the bladder tries to empty itself unexpectedly.
What should you do if you experience pelvic pain along with fever and chills?
Get to the emergency room quickly.
What can cause loss of control over urination or defecation?
Stroke or spinal cord problems.
Can holding your pee for too long cause your bladder to explode?
No, it will involuntarily empty instead.
What is diarrhea defined as?
Increase in bowel movements to more than three per day or increase in stool looseness.
What causes acute diarrhea?
Infection.
What are some common causes of chronic diarrhea?
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Food intolerances
- Medication side effects.
What should be done if diarrhea lasts more than twenty-four hours?
Sip replacement solutions like Pedialyte or broth.
What is a good indication of dehydration related to diarrhea?
Persistent thirst despite drinking fluids.
What major issue can arise from untreated diarrhea in children?
It can lead to major health risks due to fluid loss.
What is the main issue with sports drinks?
High sugar content
Sports drinks, while offering hydration, often contain excessive sugars which can lead to digestive issues.
What is a common cause of diarrhea after meals?
Fructose
Fructose can be difficult to digest for some individuals, leading to diarrhea.
What enzyme is needed to digest lactose?
Lactase
A deficiency in lactase can lead to gas, bloating, and diarrhea when consuming milk products.
What types of foods may cause diarrhea in sensitive individuals?
- Spicy foods
- Fried foods
- Fatty foods
These foods can irritate the digestive system, leading to diarrhea.
What is a common effect of drinking coffee?
It acts as a laxative
Many people experience a bowel movement after consuming coffee, especially in the morning.
What is viral gastroenteritis commonly referred to as?
Stomach flu
This condition typically results in sudden-onset diarrhea, stomach upset, and nausea.
What virus is often responsible for outbreaks on cruise ships?
Norovirus
Norovirus thrives in densely populated areas and can cause significant gastrointestinal distress.
What symptoms may indicate a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics?
- Consistent diarrhea for three or more days
- Belly pain
- Streaks of blood in diarrhea
Major bacteria include E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella.
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) associated with?
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
IBS is a common condition that affects many individuals, often related to food intake.
What could chronic diarrhea alongside tremors and weight loss indicate?
Overactive thyroid gland
Hyperthyroidism can increase metabolism and gut activity.
What medications are commonly associated with diarrhea?
- Antibiotics
- NSAIDs
- Metformin
- Colchicine
These medications can disrupt normal gut flora or digestive function.
What condition is indicated by diarrhea lasting several days with weight loss and joint pain?
Autoimmune condition
Conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease can lead to these symptoms.
What should you do if you experience red or black tarry diarrhea?
Get to the emergency room
This can signal a life-threatening problem and requires immediate evaluation.
What is constipation defined as?
Less than three bowel movements per week
Other symptoms include hard stool and difficulty pushing it out.
What can help alleviate constipation caused by dehydration?
Increased fluid intake
Drinking more water can help soften stool and ease its passage.
What type of diet can contribute to constipation?
Low-fiber diet
Increasing fiber intake from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help prevent constipation.
What common issue can arise from long periods of inactivity?
Constipation
Regular physical activity helps mobilize the digestive system.
What hormone increases during pregnancy that can lead to constipation?
Progesterone
This hormone slows down intestinal movement, potentially causing constipation.
What is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
A continuous tube from the mouth to the anus
It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum.
What might blood in your stool indicate?
A possible gastrointestinal issue
Blood in stool can arise from various conditions, including hemorrhoids or more serious issues like tumors.
What is a potential result of chronic constipation?
Bowel obstruction
Chronic constipation can lead to severe complications requiring urgent medical attention.
What is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
A long, continuous tube that winds through your chest, abdomen, and pelvis, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum.
What is the combined surface area of the GI tract comparable to?
The size of a small studio apartment.
What are the two possible exits for bleeding in the GI tract?
Blood in stool and blood in vomit.
What does black and tarry stool indicate?
Bleeding from the stomach.
What color does stool turn if bleeding occurs lower down the GI tract?
Maroon or bright red.
True or False: Blood in stool is always a sign of serious health issues.
False.
What might cause blood on toilet paper after defecation?
Small traumatic injuries to the area around the anus.
What pigment in beets can stain stool and urine?
A strong pigment that turns everything it touches purple.
What are hemorrhoids?
Fragile, engorged blood vessels in and around the anus.
What factors can contribute to the formation of hemorrhoids?
- Pressure during pregnancy * Constipation * Age
What is a common treatment for hemorrhoids?
Increasing fiber intake and sitting in warm baths.
What might bright red streaks of blood on stool indicate?
Hemorrhoids or a bleeding tumor in the colon.
What is an anal tear also known as?
A fissure.
What are common causes of anal tears?
- Chronic constipation * Vaginal birth * Anal sex
What are major blood thinners that can cause spontaneous bleeding?
- Warfarin/Coumadin * Apixaban/Eliquis * Rivaroxaban/Xarelto * Dabigatran/Pradaxa
What might crampy abdominal pain and diarrhea with blood indicate?
An intestinal infection or autoimmune disease.
What can cause stool to appear jet black?
Iron supplements, black licorice, blueberries, and Pepto-Bismol.
What should you do if you have a family history of colon cancer and see blood in stool?
Get checked for colon cancer.
What symptoms may indicate a clotting disorder?
Frequent nosebleeds or unexplained bruising.
What should you do if you feel lightheaded while seeing blood in your stool?
Get to the E.R. for urgent assessment.
What is a colonoscopy?
A procedure where a doctor uses a camera to look for abnormal growths or sources of bleeding in the colon.
At what age is the first colonoscopy typically recommended?
Fifty years old, or earlier for those with a strong family history of colon cancer.
What is the purpose of the clear fluid prescribed before a colonoscopy?
To flush the poop from your system.
How often should colonoscopies be repeated if no polyps are found?
Every ten years.
Fill in the blank: Colonoscopies are usually performed every _______ years.
ten
What alternatives exist if someone is opposed to a colonoscopy?
A special kit to check stool for blood or genetic evidence of a tumor.
