Know the Function of the Urinary System and Diseases That Can Attack it

Urinary system or urinary tract is an organ system that functions to filter and remove waste substances and excess fluid through urine. Various diseases around the urinary tract, such as urinary tract infections, urinary tract stones, and also urinary incontinence, you can experience if there are problems with your urinary system or urinary system. The urinary system or urinary tract consists of kidneys, bladder, ureters, and also the urethra (urinary tract). Through this channel, urine is excreted outside the body. The parts of the urinary system have their respective functions and roles.

Function of the Urinary System Section

Urine is liquid waste consisting of water, salt, urea, uric acid, as well as the body's metabolic waste. In order to urinate normally, all parts of the urinary system need to work together in the right order. Here are some parts of the urinary system and their functions, including:

• Kidney

The human body has a pair of kidneys, which are inside the left and right back, just below the rib cage. Each has a size as big as a fist. The main function of the kidneys is to regulate the amount of water and salt in the blood, filtering out waste or residual metabolism, and making hormones that help control blood pressure.

• Ureter

The ureter is a part of the urinary system in the form of small channels that consist of many muscles. This is the part that carries urine from each kidney to your bladder.

• Bladder

This organ is in the pelvic cavity. The bladder is in charge of storing urine. If the bladder is filled with urine, there will be an urge to urinate.

• Urethra

The urethra or colloquially called the urinary tract is a part of the urinary system in the form of channels that connect the bladder to the outside of the body. The urethra in men is about 20 centimeters long, while the urethra in women is about 4 centimeters. In the part between the bladder and urethra there is a muscular ring or sphincter, which is responsible for keeping urine from leaking.

Diseases Regarding the Urinary System

Generally, healthy, normal urine is pale yellow to golden yellow. The color comes from a substance called urochrome. But sometimes, certain foods and medicines can change the color of your urine. Problems with the urinary system or the urinary tract are not only marked by changes in the color of urine. Some of these problems include:

• Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections that occur in the urinary system, from your kidneys to your urinary tract. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men.

• Urinary tract stones

Urinary tract stones or in medical terms called urolithiatis is the process of formation of stones in the urinary system, such as kidney stones, bladder, or urethra.

• Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a condition in which control in urination decreases. This situation can make you suddenly wet when coughing or sneezing. Urinary incontinence often occurs in the elderly, but does not rule out the possibility of younger people.

• Urethritis

Uretritis is inflammation of the urethra, but is different from UTI. This situation usually causes pain during urination and an increased urge to urinate. The main cause is a bacterial infection.

If you experience problems in your urinary system, especially if there are complaints such as fever, nausea, vomiting, back pain or very heavy back, pain when urinating, and there is blood or pus in the urine during urination, consult your doctor immediately to get the right treatment.