The Genetics of Urological Health and Conditions

Genetics is defined as “the heredity and variation of organisms.” Unfortunately, in the same way, that those family traits such as green eyes and brown hair can be passed down from one generation to the next, so can health disorders.

While some genetic disorders are inherited from our parents, they can also appear when a single gene or group of genes undergo certain changes or mutations in the body. This can develop randomly or even as a result of exposure to something in the environment.

The urinary system can become susceptible to disease when other diseases make it vulnerable, for instance, high blood pressure can ultimately damage the kidneys (which are part of the urinary system). Below is an overview of how the urinary system works and how it can also be compromised.

How the Urinary System Works

The kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra make up the urinary system, which is also referred to as the renal system. The object of the urinary/renal system is to filter liquid waste from the body, filtering urine through the ureter and bladder. It also regulates blood volume, pressure, blood pH, and electrolytes.

Abnormalities occurring within the urinary system can affect urological health and could create serious problems. For instance, when blood fails to reach the kidneys, pre-renal or acute kidney failure occurs.

This usually happens when another organ has failed first, such as heart or liver failure. It is accompanied by a sudden loss of function. The good news is that in many cases, the loss of kidney function can be reversed and made to work again.

Tips for Urinary Health

There are a few things to keep in mind regarding urological health:

• A healthy diet and lifestyle will help guard against illnesses, including urinary issues and kidney problems.
• Smoking is extremely dangerous to urological health.
• Regulating blood pressure and keeping diabetes in check will help to prevent urinary problems.

It is very important for people who have a family history of urological issues to schedule regular checkups with their doctor to monitor the health of their urinary system.

Urinary Retention Causes

Urinary retention is when the flow of urine slows down over time and eventually halts. Both women and men can be plagued by urinary hesitancy that turns to urinary retention, but the condition is most common for older men.

Urine hesitancy or retention can be caused by an infection, scar tissue from a previous surgery or injury, or by certain medications. However, the most common cause is an enlarged prostate gland in men.

An enlarged prostate is a cause for concern as it could be a sign of prostate cancer. Some enlargement of the gland, which starts out about the size of a walnut, is normal with age. However, if the prostate gland swells to the point that it presses against the urethra, it will interfere with urination.

Contact a Charlotte Area Urologist Today

If you have symptoms that include urgent or frequent urination, bladder leakage, or other symptoms related to the prostate or the urinary system, call us today. Dr. Richard Natale at Carolina Urology Partners in Concord, NC, will investigate your family history, provide a diagnosis, and get you on track to good urological health.

Call our office today at (704) 786-5131 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you enjoy the healthy, active lifestyle you love.