Nutritional advice for urinary system disorders

The table here deals with the major disorders affecting the urinary system, which comprises the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.

The uriniary system keeps the chemistry of the body in balance by removing waste products and excess water. One of the most common disorders of the urinary system, kidney stones are formed from deposits of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or citrate. The risk of developing kidney stones is increased by inadequate fluid intake. Kidney failure may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Chronic failure develops slowly over the years, with symptoms so mild that people may not recognize that they have a kidney disease.

Disorder	What is it?	How you can help
Urinary tract infection (UTI)	An infection can occur in any part of the urinary tract when a bacterium, fungus, or virus invades. If the infection reaches the kidneys, it can cause a fever or lower back pain.	Drink plenty of water and cranberry juice to flush out the system Do not resist the urge to urinate
Kidney stones	Stones are one of the most common kidney disorders. A kidney stone is a hard mass that develops from crystals that separate from urine and build up in the kidney. Most stones pass on their own and require no treatment other than pain management. Dietary measures may be effective at reducing the risk of another occurrence. Stones can also form in the bladder from substances in urine.	Maintaining hydration with plenty of fluids is essential Maintain your calcium intake and reduce intake of high-oxalate foods Avoid high-protein diets Choose complex carbohydrates Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
Kidney failure	Damage to the kidney compromises its ability to filter out and eliminate waste products and water, which build up in the blood, disrupting its chemical balance.	Control your blood pressure and blood sugar Eat a low-protein, low-sodium diet