The Urinary System

The main function of the urinary system is as follows: The kidneys are responsible for regulating blood volume as well as composition. They also help in regulating blood pressure and pH. The kidneys participate in the production of red blood cells and the synthesis of Vitamin D. The kidneys also excrete foreign substances and waste products. The ureters are long tubes that take care of transporting urine from your kidneys to the urinary bladder. The urinary bladder is the storage house for the urine. It also has the job of expelling the urine into the urethra. The urethra, in turn, discharges urine from the body.

The different parts of the urinary system consist of two kidneys, 2 ureters, a bladder, and the urethra.

Every part of our urinary system is able to perform important functions. Below is what each part of the urinary system does:

1. Kidneys - The regulation of blood volume. The kidneys regulate high blood pressure as well as the pH in the body's system. The kidneys are involved in the production of Red Blood Cells as well as the regulation of the ionic composition of the blood. They are involved in the production of red blood cells, the excretion of foreign substances and waste products.



2. Ureters - The two ureters are attached to the renal pelvis of the kidney. Their duty is to transport the urine from the kidneys to the bladder.



3. Bladder - Serves as a storage tank to store the urine before it leaves the body. The bladder expels the urine into the urethra. We call this process either micturition or urination.



4. Urethra - This is how the urine leaves the body. Urine flows out of the bladder into the urethra and then it goes out of the body.

There are some diseases of the urinary system that I will discuss with you. They are as follows:

• Urinary Tract Infection - When one gets a urinary tract infection, it often is located in the bladder. It is also commonly known as cystitis.



• Interstitial cystitis - This is more or less a chronic problem when the bladder wall becomes irritated and inflamed, thus leading to painful and frequent urination.



• Urinary incontinence - This is a loss of bladder control.



• Bladder cancer - In the U.S. this is the 6th most common cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are nearly 69,000 new cases of bladder infection reported each year. There are a variety of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy. Perhaps you can also gain some relief through herbal treatments.



• Chronic Kidney Disease - This is also known as CKD. High blood pressure can cause CKD and CKD can cause high blood pressure. High-risk groups are those who have hypertension, diabetes, and those who have a family history of kidney disease.



• Kidney disease and diabetes - When a person has diabetes, the small blood vessels that are found throughout the body are injured. When the kidneys' blood vessels are injured, they will not be able to clean your blood properly. You will find that your body may retain more salt and water than it should. This can result in ankle swelling and weight gain. Waste materials will be backed-up in your blood and you could have protein in your urine.



• Natural Diuretic treatments can relieve your body of unwanted fluid retention. If you are feeling bloated or need to lose water weight, there are many herbal treatments available to help you achieve your goals.

In conclusion, better health begins with YOU! If you need to change your eating habits and eat more sensibly. If you are able to do so, start an exercise program in order to keep fit. You only get one body and one life. Use it to the max, but cherish your body as you do so.

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