Condition Lookup
Category:
Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Number of Conditions: 6
Uremia
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Sub-category: Renal Failure Complications
Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; fatigue; confusion; seizures; muscle cramps; itching; fluid retention; shortness of breath; high blood pressure; altered mental status
Root Cause:
Accumulation of urea and other nitrogenous waste products in the blood due to impaired kidney function. This condition arises from chronic or acute renal failure, leading to toxic effects on multiple organ systems.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, electrolyte imbalances, and metabolic acidosis; urinalysis may indicate proteinuria or hematuria; imaging (ultrasound or CT) may show kidney abnormalities. Clinical symptoms and history are also critical.
Treatment:
Emergency treatment includes dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) to remove waste products and restore electrolyte balance. Supportive care includes addressing fluid overload and managing complications such as hypertension and metabolic acidosis.
Medications:
Diuretics (e.g., furosemide )
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI); incidence rises in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, advanced age, polycystic kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders affecting the kidneys (e.g., lupus nephritis).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With timely dialysis and treatment, symptoms can be managed effectively; however, the underlying renal disease usually remains progressive without a transplant. Untreated uremia is life-threatening.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac arrhythmias, pericarditis, seizures, encephalopathy, fluid overload, and death if untreated.
Severe Electrolyte Imbalances
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Sub-category: Electrolyte Disorders
Symptoms:
muscle weakness; cramps; nausea; confusion; seizures; cardiac arrhythmias; paralysis; fatigue; tetany; altered mental status
Root Cause:
Abnormal levels of critical electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate in the blood, resulting from renal dysfunction, medications, endocrine disorders, or fluid imbalance.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for electrolyte levels, arterial blood gas analysis for acid-base status, and ECG to detect arrhythmias. History and clinical examination are also key.
Treatment:
Depends on the specific electrolyte imbalance
Medications:
Calcium supplements (e.g., calcium gluconate)
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in hospitalized patients, particularly those with kidney disease, heart failure, or endocrine disorders.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic kidney disease, diuretics, excessive fluid loss, endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes insipidus, SIADH), and critical illnesses.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With prompt recognition and treatment, outcomes are typically favorable; however, severe imbalances can cause life-threatening complications if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, seizures, neuromuscular dysfunction, and multi-organ failure.
Urinary Retention
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Sub-category: Urologic Conditions
Symptoms:
inability to urinate; lower abdominal pain or discomfort; weak or dribbling urine stream; frequent urination with small amounts; bladder distension
Root Cause:
Blockage or dysfunction of the urinary tract or bladder, often due to enlarged prostate, strictures, neurogenic bladder, or medications affecting bladder tone.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam (e.g., palpation of bladder), bladder ultrasound to detect residual urine, urinalysis, and possibly imaging (CT or MRI) to identify obstruction.
Treatment:
Immediate catheterization to relieve retention, addressing underlying causes (e.g., prostate surgery, dilation of strictures), and medications to manage chronic issues.
Medications:
Alpha-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin or alfuzosin ) to relax the bladder neck and prostate; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride or dutasteride ) for chronic prostate enlargement.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in older adults, particularly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); also occurs in individuals with neurologic conditions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Male gender, older age, BPH, pelvic surgery, neurologic disorders, and certain medications (e.g., antihistamines, decongestants).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely treatment, though recurrent episodes may require long-term management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bladder damage, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney damage (hydronephrosis) if untreated.
Obstructive Uropathy (e.g., Kidney Stones)
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Sub-category: Urologic Conditions
Symptoms:
severe flank pain; hematuria (blood in urine); nausea and vomiting; frequent or painful urination; fever or chills if infection is present
Root Cause:
Blockage of urine flow from the kidney due to stones in the ureter, bladder, or kidney, leading to pressure and potential kidney damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis for blood or infection, non-contrast CT scan (gold standard), ultrasound, or plain X-ray (KUB) to detect stones.
Treatment:
Pain management with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) or opioids; hydration to aid stone passage; surgical removal via ureteroscopy, lithotripsy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy for larger stones.
Medications:
Alpha-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin ) to facilitate stone passage; antibiotics if infection is present (e.g., ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10% of the population globally; higher incidence in men and individuals aged 30–60 years.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Dehydration, high salt/protein diet, family history, obesity, and metabolic disorders like hypercalcemia or gout.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally excellent if treated; untreated cases risk hydronephrosis, infection, or kidney damage.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent stones, urinary tract infections, and kidney failure in severe or neglected cases.
Testicular Torsion
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Sub-category: Urologic Conditions
Symptoms:
sudden, severe testicular pain; swelling in the scrotum; abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; high-riding testicle
Root Cause:
Twisting of the spermatic cord, cutting off blood supply to the testicle, often due to inadequate fixation of the testicle in the scrotum.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical exam (e.g., absence of cremasteric reflex), scrotal ultrasound with Doppler for blood flow assessment, and surgical exploration.
Treatment:
Immediate surgical detorsion and fixation (orchidopexy); removal (orchiectomy) if testicle is nonviable.
Medications:
Pain management (e.g., NSAIDs or acetaminophen ); antibiotics if infection coexists but typically not primary treatment.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common in males aged 12–18 but can occur at any age, including neonates.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Bell-clapper deformity, trauma, or sudden testicular movement.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent if treated within 6 hours; testicular viability decreases significantly after 12 hours.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Testicular necrosis, infertility, and psychological distress.
Priapism
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Renal and Urologic Emergencies
Sub-category: Urologic Conditions
Symptoms:
prolonged and painful erection; rigid penile shaft with soft glans; discoloration of penis (in ischemic cases); urinary retention or dysuria
Root Cause:
Blood trapping in the penile corpora cavernosa (ischemic) or excessive arterial inflow without venous drainage (non-ischemic).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
History and physical exam, penile blood gas analysis (ischemic vs. non-ischemic), and Doppler ultrasound.
Treatment:
Ischemic
Medications:
Phenylephrine (alpha-adrenergic agonist) for ischemic priapism; analgesics (e.g., NSAIDs or opioids) for pain.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; ischemic priapism is more common and considered a urologic emergency.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sickle cell disease, medications (e.g., PDE5 inhibitors, antipsychotics), trauma, or spinal cord injury.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely treatment; delayed management risks permanent erectile dysfunction.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Penile fibrosis, erectile dysfunction, and infection.