Elderly female with history of osteoporosis, chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure. Noticed blood in urine. Doctor concerned about effect of BP on kidneys and effects of low kidney function.
Upstream Causes
Downstream Effects
Background Information
Structure of Nephron
Anatomy and Function of urinary system
High Blood Pressure: Can cause arteries around the kidneys to narrow, weaken, or harden
Chronic Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: High blood sugar levels can damage vessels in the kidneys
DM 2 can cause high blood sugar which can damage vessels in the kidneys
Blood pressure causes the arteries around the kidney to narrow/weaken/harden
Osteoporosis: Causes kidneys to fail in order to maintain calcium levels in the body
Osteoporosis causes kidneys to fail to keep calcium for bones
Lack of blood flow into the kidneys
Plaque and build up can constrict blood flow
Lack of calcium can cause soft and brittle bones
Likely Causes
Bladder Stones
UTI
Kidney Stones
Glomerulonephritis
Can lead to complete renal failure and death
Ureters: Connect the kidneys to the bladder and bring urine to the bladder
Bladder: Muscular sac above and behind the pubic bone and stores urine
Renal Pelvis: The point at where two or three major calyces join together and functions as funnel into the ureter
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
Kidneys: Two bean shaped organs that help filter the blood before it is sent back to the heart
Microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney that separates water/ions/small molecules from the blood/ filters out wastes and toxins and returns needed molecules to the blood
Osteoporosis: Disease in which the bone density and quality of bone are reduced and occurs slightly and progressively
Blood is filtered through three layers: endothelial cells of capillary wall, a basement membrane, and between the foot processes of podocytes of the lining of the capsule
Proximal Convoluted Tubule: Folded structure connected to Bowman's capsule that promotes selective reabsorption
Distal Convoluted Tubule: Folded structure connected to the Loop of Henle where further selective reabsorption
Proximal Tubule Section: Responsible for the transport of certain molecules out of the blood and into the urine
Hypertension: excessive force on arterial walls and vessel walls. can lead to severe health complications and increase risk of heart disease/stroke/death
Diabetes Mellitus 2: A chronic disease that is characterized by high blood sugar that starts in middle to late adulthood