Urogenital Pathologies Flashcards
What signs and symptoms would be characteristic of kidney stones?
5 marks
Might not be any symptoms if stone is very small or ‘silent’.
Some can scrape the ureter/bladder/urethra causing blood in urine & pain.
If a stone gets stuck, urine gets blocked - can cause kidney to swell = v. painful.
Ureters can contract from the irritation of a stone - called renal colic. Pain can be very sudden onset & come in waves - causing nausea & vomiting. Pain can also be felt in the groin.
Infection can occur also causing fever & chills.
The cause of cystitis is uncertain. One hypothesis is that it may be an autoimmune disease or allergy. Briefly explain this hypothesis.
4 marks
Protective mucous membranes line the healthy bladder protecting it from the acidity of urine stored in it.
Cystitis can occur when this membrane is breached or no longer effective. Hypothesis is that autoimmune disease or allergy weakens the protective membrane, so irritants, chemicals, microorganisms can damage the bladder wall.
Abnormal numbers wbcs - mast cells in some patients supports this idea.
What is Thrush?
2 marks
A condition where candida albicans fungi that normally colonise the digestive tract become invasive and disrupt the normal function of the digestive or other body systems. In Thrush this occurs in the vagina.
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Salpingitis) and what are its common complications?
4 marks
An infection of the uterus - endometritis, uterine tubes - salpingitis, or ovaries - oophritis.
Complications can include: infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, it can spread via the open fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity which could lead to peritonitis, a life-threatening infection.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a common condition in which restricted urinary flow and bladder irritation are often reported. What additional signs and/or symptoms might lead you to consider a more serious condition?
3 marks
Significant pelvic pain and pain with pressure on other structures - may be prostatitis
Bone damage
Blood in urine - may be prostate cancer
