Urologic Diseases Dictionary: A - E

Urologic Diseases Dictionary Index

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A

acute (uh-KYOOT):

Acute often means urgent. An acute disease happens suddenly. It lasts a short time. Acute is the opposite of chronic, or long lasting.

albuminuria (AL-byoo-mih-NOO-ree-uh):

More than normal amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine. Albuminuria may be a sign of kidney disease.

antidiuretic (AN-tee-DY-uh-RET-ik) hormone (ADH):

A natural body chemical that slows down the production of urine. Some children who wet their beds regularly may lack normal amounts of antidiuretic hormone. Also called vasopressin.

anuria (uh-NYOO-ree-uh):

A condition in which the body stops making urine.

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B

balloon dilation (dy-LAY-shun):

A treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement. A tiny balloon is inflated inside the urethra to make it wider so urine can flow more freely from the bladder.

benign (be-NINE) prostatic (prah-STAT-ik) hyperplasia (HY-per-PLAY-sha) (BPH):

An enlarged prostate not caused by cancer. BPH can cause problems with urination because the prostate squeezes the urethra at the opening of the bladder.

biopsy (BY-op-see):

A procedure in which a tiny piece of a body part, such as the kidney or bladder, is removed for examination under a microscope.

bladder (BLAD-ur):

The balloon-shaped organ inside the pelvis that holds urine.


Bladder

bladder control:

See continence.

blood urea (yoo-REE-uh) nitrogen (NY-truh-jen) (BUN):

A waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of food protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.

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C

calcium (KAL-see-um):

A mineral that the body needs for strong bones and teeth. Calcium may form stones in the kidney.

catheter (KATH-uh-ter):

A tube that is inserted through the urethra to the bladder to drain urine.


Foley Catheter

chronic (KRAH-nik):

Lasting a long time. Chronic diseases develop slowly. Chronic kidney disease may develop over many years and lead to end-stage renal disease.

chronic prostatitis (PRAH-stah-TY-tis):

Inflammation of the prostate gland, developing slowly and lasting a long time.

collagen (KAHL-uh-jen):

The major protein found in tissues, cartilage, and bones. Collagen injections are used to treat stress urinary incontinence.


Collagen Injection

continence (KON-tih-nents):

The ability to control the timing of urination or a bowel movement.

cystine (SIS-teen) stone:

A rare form of kidney stone consisting of the amino acid cystine.

cystinuria (SIS-tih-NOO-ree-uh):

A condition in which urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine. If cystine does not dissolve in the urine, it can build up to form kidney stones.

cystitis (sis-TY-tis):

Inflammation of the bladder, causing pain and a burning feeling in the pelvis or urethra.

cystocele (SIS-toh-seel):

Fallen bladder. When the bladder falls or sags from its normal position down to the pelvic floor, it can cause either urinary leakage or urinary retention.

cystometrogram (SIS-toh-MET-roh-gram):

A line graph that records urinary bladder pressure at various volumes.

cystoscope (SIS-toh-scope):

A tube-like instrument used to look inside the bladder. The procedure is called cystoscopy (sis-TAH-skuh-pee).

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D

desmopressin:

A synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone used to treat enuresis and diabetes insipidus.

diabetes (dy-uh-BEE-teez) insipidus (in-SIP-ih-dus):

A disease of the pituitary gland or kidney. The signs of diabetes insipidus are a need to drink and urinate often and a feeling of weakness. However, blood glucose (sugar) levels are normal. (See also nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.)

diabetes (dy-uh-BEE-teez) mellitus (MELL-ih-tus):

A condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) resulting from the body's inability to use glucose efficiently. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin; in type 2 diabetes, the body is resistant to the effects of available insulin.

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E

enuresis (EN-yoo-REE-sis):

Urinary incontinence not caused by a physical disorder.

erectile (ee-REK-tile) dysfunction (dis-FUNK-shun):

The inability to get or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Also called impotence.

erection (ee-REK-shun):

Enlargement and hardening of the penis caused by increased blood flow into the penis and decreased blood flow out of it as a result of sexual excitement.

extracorporeal (EKS-truh-kor-POR-ee-ul) shockwave lithotripsy (LITH-oh-TRIP-see) (ESWL):

A nonsurgical procedure using shock waves to break up kidney stones.

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