Millions of Americans experience difficulties involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra--the components of the urinary system. Problems can be caused by illness, injury, genetics, or aging and include disorders such as urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections and cancers, kidney stones, and kidney failure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 37 million U.S. adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and most of them do not know they have it. Although kidney disease and urinary tract disorders can have a significant impact on a person's physical, emotional, and social well-being, recent medical advances offer the promise of more effective treatments and they provide the means by which those affected can learn to cope more successfully with related challenges. Additionally, by understanding the risk factors associated with these types of disorders, people can make lifestyle adjustments and take preventive measures to preserve urological health. Kidney Disease and Urinary Tract Disorders Sourcebook, Fourth Edition provides information about the vital organs of the urinary system and explains how they work. It talks about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various problems that impact the kidney and urinary system, including acute kidney injury, bladder stones, chronic kidney disease, kidney cysts, kidney stones, solitary kidney, urethral stricture, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and so on. It also discusses the genetic and congenital disorders along with the cancers that affect the kidneys and urinary tract. Various diagnostic tests such as creatinine test, blood urea nitrogen test, cystatin marker test, kidney biopsy, renal panel test, urine test, and urinary tract imaging that are used to detect kidney disease are also discussed in detail. It explains the treatments used to replace lost kidney function such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation. Information about Medicare coverage available for dialysis and kidney transplant service is also provided. The book concludes with a glossary of related terms, and a directory of additional resources that provide help and information to patients with kidney disease and urinary tract disorders. Part 1: Understanding the Urinary System provides information about the vital organs of the urinary system and explains how they work. It talks about risk factors for kidney disease and provides statistical data on the prevalence of kidney disease in the United States. Part 2: Acute and Chronic Kidney Diseases focuses on diseases and disorders affecting the kidneys, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, kidney cysts, renal artery stenosis, and diabetes insipidus. Kidney diseases that affect children are also explained in detail along with the information about immune disorders of kidney. Part 3: Diagnostic Tests for Kidney Disease provides information about various tests used to diagnose kidney disease such as creatinine test, blood urea nitrogen test, cystatin marker test, kidney biopsy, renal panel test, urine test, and urinary tract imaging. Part 4: Disorders of the Urinary Tract provides an overview about urinary tract infections (UTIs) and explains how they can affect adults, children, and pregnant women. Facts about novel treatment approach and complementary therapy for UTI are also provided. It provides information about various other disorders of the urinary tract such as solitary kidney, glomerular diseases, amyloidosis, urethral stricture, and so on. The congenital defects of the urinary tract and genitals are also explained. Part 5: Disorders of the Bladder pays particular attention to problems of the bladder including bladder stones, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, interstitial cystitis, etc. Symptoms, diagnostic tests, and available treatments are discussed. Part 6: Genetic and Congenital Disorders that Affect the Kidneys offers information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various genetic and congenital disorders that affect the kidney such as Alport syndrome, Bartter syndrome, ectopic kidney, Fabry disease, medullary sponge kidney, and primary hyperoxaluria. Part 7: Cancers of the Kidneys and Urinary Tract describes the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various cancers that can affect the different components of the urinary system, including kidney cancer, bladder cancer, urethral cancer, and prostate cancer. Part 8: Kidney Failure: End-Stage Renal Disease explains treatments used to replace lost kidney function such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation. It talks about conservative management for kidney failure along with Medicare coverage available for dialysis and kidney transplant service. Information about end-of-life care for patients suffering from kidney disease is also provided. Part 9: Additional Help and Information offers a glossary of important terms and a directory of government and private organizations that provide help and information to patients with kidney disease and urinary tract disorders.
