URINE

URINE
Low specific gravity of urine may be merely a temporary condition, the result of drinking large quantities of water or other liquids shortly before voiding the sample of urine submitted for examination. when more water is taken than the system requires, the excess is promptly excreted by the kidneys. the habit of drinking water freely may be beneficial for some persons, but it is not advisable as a steady practice. It throws extra work upon the heart and kidneys.the chemical and microscopic examination of urine of low specific gravity is not a fair test of condition of the kidneys.. Therefore, if you have been notified that a sample you submitted for laboratory examination had low specific gravity, an additional specimen should be taken. by restriction of liquids or water for several hours before voiding, your urine will become more concentrated and usually show a higher specific gravity.Persistent low specific gravity of the urine, not due to excessive water drinking, is not a normal condition and usually indicates a chronic form of kidney trouble or hardening of the arteries which occurs usually in very old people. such a condition should be investigated by your physician in order to determine the exact cause.

URINE-EXCRETED BY THE KIDNEYS

The amount of urine excreted by the kidneys is affected by certain physiological conditions, especially by the amount of fluids taken into the system, and certain foods and drugs which stimulates kidney activity. it is also affected by certain systemic conditions or diseases, such as :

• diabetes,


• high blood pressure,


• and a certain form of Bright's disease.

Lowering of external temperature causes the kidneys to secrete more urine due to the cessation of the sweat glands to excrete perspiration, and due to decreased loss of moisture from the lungs during breathing.

THE SENSITIVENESS OF THE BLADDER..

The sensitiveness of the bladder is increased by a certain local conditions and by certain nervous or reflex causes, chiefly a cystitis or inflammation of the bladder, stones in the bladder, an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, ulcer near the neck of the bladder, or increased amount of phosphates in the urine resulting from a faulty diet; also in case of neurasthenia when the condition of the nervous system is below normal, especially due to worry, excitement, or nervous strain of any kind, bladder sensitiveness seems increased.

The treatment of frequent urination depends to a great extent on the cause of the condition in each particular case. By careful microscopic and chemical examination of the urine it is possible to discover such causes as diabetes, nephritis, cystitis, and, in some cases, stones in the bladder, or ulcer of the bladder. the treatment in such cases is the removal of the cause.

If the urine is found to be entirely normal it is advisable first to restrict the amount of fluids taken into the system. for example, if the person gets up frequently at night to void the urine, he should not drink liquids before retiring, nor drink any water after six o'clock in the evening. the amount of coffee and tea used should be curtailed at the same time, or entirely discontinued. If necessary, the amount of other fluids should be restricted during the day as well as in the evening.