Blood may be described as a red liquid that flows through a network of arteries and veins in all vertebrates and is essential for life. Basically, there are three types of blood cells - red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets.
While the red blood cells enclose a substance known as hemoglobin and also transport oxygen to the tissues, the platelets that are created in the bone marrow are essential for formation of blood clots.
In addition, blood is made up of water, numerous diverse types of proteins, inclusive of antibodies, crucial hormones and transport molecules, nourishing substances like fats, sugars and amino acids and most essentially, living cells.
In fact, all the three blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and they develop from a cell called hematopoietic stem cell. It may be noted here that the deadly disease leukemia is a cancer caused by the abnormal development of the white blood cells.
Plasma is a placid dilute liquid belonging to a group of compounds that maintain the resistance of capillary walls to infiltration and pressure altercations in humans. Plasma does not contain any cell, but is utilized as a prop up device for numerous cells that remain floating in it.
Nevertheless, plasma is just not a carrier of cells, but encloses several substances like proteins (antibodies and albumin that are essential for the thickening of blood), glucose, vital minerals (sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine and others), soluble fats (triglycerides and cholesterol) as well as numerous substances that are produced during organic activities (lactic acid, urea, creatine and others) that ascertain the appropriate performance of our body.
The red blood cells, a main constituent of blood, resemble tiny sacs that are plane at the center.
These cells do not possess any nucleus and their main purpose is to carry hemoglobin to the different parts of the body. Hemoglobin, in turn, provides oxygen collected from the lungs to the different body parts.
Precisely speaking, while passing through the arteries, the red blood cells dispense oxygen to all the organs of our body, including the heart, brain and muscles.
Simultaneously, the red blood cells take away carbon dioxide (CO2) from the organs it supplies oxygen and carry it back to the lungs traveling through the veins.
The red blood cells have a vivid red color when they travel through the arteries containing oxygen and while they are carrying carbon dioxide to the lungs through the veins, their color change to blue.
This is the primary reason why blood appears bright red when traveling through arteries and bluish while passing through the veins.
Our bloodstream contains an extremely high number of red blood cells - around five million every cubic millimeter of blood. The usual lifetime of the red blood cells is around 120 days and, like any other cells of the blood, they are produced in the bone marrow.
The red blood cells present in the blood are extremely cautious since when number diminishes, it also reduces the amount of hemoglobin carried by them and this may lead to an ailment called anemia.
There are several reasons for developing anemia and the most widespread cause is loss of blood either through any secondary hemorrhage owing to an injury, heavy menstruation, giving birth and intestinal flow of blood. In addition, insufficiency of vitamins like vitamin B12 and folic acid as well as iron may result in anemia.
In specific instances, anemia may also be an indication of a caution of more grave maladies that result in the decline in the body's capability of producing adequate red blood cells in the bloodstream. Some of these cases include leukemia, aplasia and lymphoma.
Apparently, the red blood cells transport antigens (a substance that is able to encourage the production of antibodies) of the ABO (presence of antigens A, B, both, or neither) and Rh blood categories.
The white blood cells or leukocytes are genuine cells since they contain all the features of a normal cell - a nucleus, cytoplasm (in space in a cell) as well as a cell membrane.
The nucleus of a cell may have different forms, for instance, it may be disc-shaped and composed of a solitary hemisphere or part or alternately comprise a number of lobes and seem to be as many.
The cytoplasm or the intracellular space encloses enzymes that are essential to absorb alien bodies. The cell membrane holds HLA (H denoting human, L denoting leucocytes and the A denoting antigens) tissue clusters that characterize every human being.
The HLA tissues perform a crucial role in transplant rejection effects. Basically, the leukocytes or white blood cells have two big families known as lymphocytes and myelocytes.
These two categories of white blood cells are characterized by means of their nucleus as well as the color of their cytoplasm or the intracellular space of these leukocytes.
This category of white blood cells makes up approximately 55 to 65 per cent of all the leukocytes. Researchers initially were of the view that the myelocyte cells enclosed numerous nuclei and hence, also called them 'polynuclears'.
However, presently we are aware that these cells possess only a single nucleus that is made up of numerous parts or hemispheres that are connected to each other by means of an arrangement of delicate filaments.
The cytoplasm or intracellular space of myelocytes encloses small particles or granules that single out pigments and confront reddish or bluish shades.
The other smaller independent particles in the cytoplasm or corpuscles derive their other name 'granulocytes' from these granules.
The hue of these grain can be distinguished as neutrophilic (somewhat bluish) polynuclears, basophilic (deep bluish) polynuclears and eosinophilic (reddish) polynuclears.
The myelocytes or 'polynuclears' are responsible for performing a number of important tasks in our body. The neutrophilic polynuclears that are slightly bluish hued are focused in the digestion of bacteria and have a crucial function in fighting contagions.
Under normal circumstances, neutrophilic polynuclears are present in reasonable numbers, but they enhance numerically when there is any infection in the body.
On the other hand, the eosinophilic polynuclears that have a reddish shade have an important task to perform in fighting allergic effects as well as strengthening the immune system to fight parasites.
It may be mentioned here that the terms polynuclears and granulocytes are perfect and they are generally made use of to delegate the different categories of myelocytes.
On the other hand, the lymphocytes present in the white blood cells comprise the remaining portion of leukocytes - approximately 35 to 45 per cent.
The lymphocytes possess big and elliptical or oval-shaped nucleus, but do not enclose any granules. Basically, the lymph modes produce these blood cells.
They have a crucial function in combating contagions and transplant rejections as these blood cells are focused on the production of antibodies. It is common knowledge that the antibodies are responsible for raiding viruses, bacteria as well as other alien bodies.
While putting of successive contagions, these blood cells are also capable of retaining information regarding several viruses. This particular trend or occurrence is generally called immunization.
Platelets present in the blood appear as microscopic sacs and have asymmetrical forms. These colorless substances have a sticky surface that enables them to attach to one another forming blood clots.
Basically, blood clots block the walls of the arteries and veins, thereby putting off blood outflow or hemorrhages.
The platelets too have a vital function, as when their numbers in the blood decline, the individual becomes vulnerable to bruising as well as blood outflow from the body (hemorrhages).
The bone marrow is a soft spongy tissue present inside the bones, especially the hip bone and the thigh bone and is considered to be a major manufacturing hub inside our body.
The primary function of the bone marrow is to produce blood, more precisely speaking, it is responsible for producing the different type of blood cells.
In effect, the bone marrow replaces the entire blood in our body after every 20 days. In effect, the change of our blood in our body is an ongoing system taking place every second.
Though it may seem to be incredible, each second the bone marrow manufactures over ten million different types of blood cells that circulate in our bloodstream.
Simultaneously, around ten million different blood cells expire every second, maintaining a sound balance all through.
The bone marrow functions accurately following some strict regulations - in effect, it changes to the regulations and requirement by enhancing or lowering production of blood cells. In other words, the bone marrow has the ability to become accustomed to each and every situation that may be happening in our body.
For instance, when we are infected by any virus, bacteria, fungus or parasites, the bone marrow enhances the production of white blood cells or leukocytes in order to enable the body to combat the pathogens in a more effective manner.
And, when the contagion has been brought under control, it lowers the production of white blood cells to the normal standard.
Similarly, when the body is losing blood owing to hemorrhage, the bone marrow increases the production of the red blood cells and when the bleeding is restrained, the production of the red blood cells comes down to the regular level.
In addition to regulating the production of the red blood cells and white blood cells to combat infections and deal with hemorrhages, the bone marrow also responses to specific biological occurrences.
For instance, when an individual is positioned at a high altitude where availability of oxygen is not enough, the bone marrow increases the production of red blood cells with a view to supply more oxygen to the different organs of the body.
In fact, athletes who are familiar with this biological occurrence actually train at higher altitudes prior to participating in the competitions.
As a result, when they get back to the sea level, they are able to enhance their performance owing to better oxygen supply to their muscles. In fact, the bone marrow possesses a fluid uniformity and is present in the middle of all bones in our body.
The bone marrow encloses stem cells that have the aptitude to proliferate as well as manufacture new blood cells.
This property of the bone marrow helps to refurbish the supply of blood throughout our body during our entire lifespan. This ability of the bone marrow is known as the hemopoietic system.
These stem cells may even enter on the bloodstream making use of a hormone known as the colony stimulating factor.
Especially, the bone marrow is present in the hip bone, the femur bone and the sternum (a series of bones that extend the length of the middle line of the ventral portion of the body of majority of vertebrates).
In fact, these bones enclose the maximum number of stem cells required to produce new blood cells.
This is the primary reason why physician often resort to bone marrow biopsies and bone marrow punctures. These two examinations help them to diagnose a number of ailments, especially leukemia - blood cancer.
Blood clotting is so vital for our body that it would be impossible for us to exist in the absence of the methods by means of which our body blocks the split or rupture in the arteries and veins every time stopping hemorrhages.
In fact, we are very prone to accidents, such as cuts, traumas and fractures, that may result in open wounds in our blood vessels and the mechanism to form blood clots helps us to prevent any excessive loss of blood that is vital for our survival.
If our body did not possess the ability to form blood clots, we would have lost excessive blood every time we met with any accident and this would have put our life in peril each time.
It may be noted here that there are numerous malevolent medical conditions that deteriorates the aptitude of our body in forming blood clots.
Depletion of blood may be external as well as internal. External hemorrhages occur when there is any rupture or split in the blood vessels present just beneath the skin.
On the other hand, internal hemorrhages take place when the blood vessels located within the organs like brain, stomach, kidney and intestines rupture or break.
While trivial hemorrhages or blood depletion from the body may be restrained without much effort by means of formation of blood clots, surgeries may be essential for stopping major blood outflows from the body.
For instance, if a comparatively large blood vessel is broken, it may be essential to stitch to get the two walls of the blood vessel to join and thereby, control the loss of blood.
It may be mentioned here that blood clot formation is also known as coagulation of blood or hemostasis. In order to facilitate blood clot formation it is essential to possess sufficient numbers of platelets in the bloodstream.
In addition, it also requires the presence of matter called coagulation factors that are present in blood plasma.
In fact, there are 12 such factors and a Roman numerical represents every factor that is involved in the formation of blood clots. In fact, each of these 12 factors are identified by a Roman number from I to XII, with the factors VIII and IX being most crucial.
These 12 blood coagulation factors respond with each other in a sequence and appear in the shape of a trellis or fencing that includes platelets to form a blood clot.
Under normal circumstances, whenever there is any cut or injury in the body, blood flows to the area and the factors responsible for forming blood clots act swiftly to stop the bleeding in a few minutes.
Nevertheless, many factors, such as deficiency in the number of platelets, some ailments, some varieties of medications and insufficiency of vitamins in the body, may also inhibit the formation of blood clot.
By inhibiting the process of blood clot formation, these factors actually enhances the risks of serious hemorrhages.
Aspirin is a widely used medicine that is said to influence blood clot formation. In effect, aspirin actually lowers the competence of the platelets in forming blood clots and thereby, bleeding from any cuts or injuries continues for prolonged periods.
Although it may seem to be incredible, the consequences of taking a single aspirin tablet will linger inside the body for over two weeks.
In addition to aspirin, antibiotics as well as anti-inflammatory medications may also have a downbeat impact on blood coagulation or formation of blood clots.
Patients enduring malignant blood ailments should never use any medication that lowers the competence of platelets in forming blood clots without talking to their physician. This is important because such medications may lead to acute cases of hemorrhages.
At the same time, it needs to be mentioned here that often physicians purposely recommend the usage of certain medications that actually slows down the coagulation of blood or blood clot formation.
Such medications are known as 'blood thinners' and are useful in treating patients with artificial heart valves.
In addition, anti-coagulants, as these medications are known, are also effective in treating patients who have endured phlebitis (inflammation of a vein) or pulmonary embolism (obstruction of pulmonary arteries) at any point in their life.
In addition, a number of congenital or inherent ailments also have negative influences on the factors that help in the blood coagulation or blood clot formation. The most common diseases in this category include type A hemophilia and type B hemophilia.
Acute liver diseases also lower the competency of the platelets or blood clot forming factors in blood coagulation.
In addition all malignant blood ailments as well as kidney diseases also result in renal failure. Harsh cases of infections as well as particular inflammatory ailments may also have an influence on blood clot formation.
Cases of vitamin deficiency may often worsen owing to malnutrition or poor absorption of foods ingested. Such vitamin insufficiencies may also result in increased blood outflow from the body - both internally and externally.
It may be noted that vitamin K is vital in the development of II, VII, IX, and X factors responsible for blood clot formation.
In fact, vitamin K deficiency results in a decline in the number of these factors, subsequently inhibiting the series of reactions that result in blood clot formation.
In addition to vitamin K deficiency, insufficiency of folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B12 may also result in inadequate blood clot formation and thereby, enhanced hemorrhages.
Often symptoms, such as petechia (small red dots) or purpura and bruises (larger blotches) on the skin are indication of problems that are primarily caused by the ineffectiveness of the platelets.
Several researches have established that bleeding in the stomach, other areas of the intestine as well as hermarthrosis (bleeding inside the joints) are usually related to problems caused by the lack of proper functioning of the factors involved in blood clot formation.
However, bleeding is always not harmful or unusual and it may be a normal process even in healthy individuals. For instance, bleeding related to some types of superficial cuts as well as menstruation are some natural types of bleedings in healthy people.
Nevertheless, even in such cases if the bleeding period or quantity appears to be abnormal, it is essential to seek medical help.
You need to talk to your physician in such instances in order to find out the reasons for and treat the bleeding. In fact, the fundamental blood examination process includes evaluating the platelets and the blood coagulation factors.
As discussed earlier, blood is an important fluid substance that is essential for all the body organs to survive as well as carry out their normal functions because it transports nourishing substances as well as oxygen required by our body.
In addition, blood also performs a crucial role in getting our body rid of the waste materials.
Blood collects the toxic substances from all over the body and transports them to the organs that expel them from the body. In fact, topographical anatomy or the study of anatomy and the functioning of the human body is an extremely multifaceted subject.
The human body comprises numerous structures or arrangements that do not comprise everything regarding the human anatomy. Nevertheless, they are related to blood and, as a result, they frequently have an influence on malevolent blood ailments.
A number of cancerous blood ailments, such as childhood leukemia, are often inclined to expand to or encompass the central nervous system.
Physicians try to find out the existence of leukemic cells by regularly examining the cerebrospinal fluid and thereby, alter the remedial course.
In case it is found that the cancerous cells are present in the cerebrospinal fluid, it is necessary to treat the central nervous system with radiation to put off specific types of leukemia.
In such instances, the chemotherapy drugs are directly inserted into the cerebrospinal fluid by means of intrathecal injections.
The tissues involved in the process of forming red blood cells along with the bone marrow, lymph nodes (tiny organs of the immune system in the shape of beans) and the spleen are all connected to one another by means of diminutive vessels called lymphatic ducts.
As mentioned above, the lymph nodes are very small organs of the immune system resembling beans wherein blood cells of the white lymphocyte replicate and multiply. The lymph nodes perform the crucial task of combating contagions.
The volume of the lymph nodes augments in conditions, such as cancers, inflammatory ailments and infections and this aptitude of the lymph nodes is known as lymphadenopathy.
Unfortunately, while the lymph nodes fight cancer, at times, they may even be ideal locations for cancerous growths and this is often seen in the instance called lymphoma.
In fact, the lymph nodes are present in almost all parts of the body and they are present in a particular area of the body depending on the anatomical region wherein they are found. Few of the major varieties of lymph nodes include abdominal, cervical, thoracic and inguinal.
The tiny vessels that connect the lymphatic nodes with one another are called lymphatic ducts. In the instance of the body being infected by any microbe, the white blood cells pass through the lymphatic ducts to arrive at the lymph nodes.
The white blood cells or leukocytes replicate and multiply in numbers inside the lymph nodes with a view to combat the contagion in a better manner.
In the instance of any cancerous growth inside the body, this route often provides a means that enables the cancer to spread.
What is worse is the fact that the cancerous cells are able to disengage from a tumor and utilize the lymphatic ducts to assail the local nodes, thereby molding the spread of cancer at the nodes (node metastases).
The spleen is a purplish-red organ that is like an oval-shaped petite bag filled with blood and is located in the upper-left part of the abdominal cavity. The size of this organ found in vertebrates is similar to that of a tomato and, like the vegetable, it is also very delicate.
The major function of the spleen is to get rid of the 'old' or 'mature' red blood cells that have been engaged in transporting oxygen to the different parts of the body for more than 120 days and are in the initial process of 'aging'.
The spleen is able to identify such cells and collects them from the bloodstream with the purpose of eliminating them from the body.
In addition, the spleen also performs a vital role in combating contagions by getting rid of bacteria as well as specific antigens from the blood supply system.
On many instances, the size of the spleen enlarges, a disorder known as splenomegaly, and a number of ailments are responsible for this condition.
Diseases that are frequently associated with splenomegaly include liver ailments, viral contagions, malignant maladies like leukemia and lymphoma as well as inflammatory conditions.
Although it may seem to be incredible, in such cases there are possibilities of the size of the spleen swelling to the dimension of a football! When such conditions do occur, the spleen becomes highly susceptible to minimum strain.
When we talk about the cardio-respiratory system, many people think that the term only implies to the heart and the breathing process. However, this is not true.
In fact, the cardio-respiratory structure or system basically comprises the heart, the lungs as well as the major blood vessels.
The main functioning of the heart is to pump blood and make sure that blood containing oxygen reaches all the organs of the body. In fact, the heart can be divided into two segments - the right portion of the heart and the left portion of the heart.
The right section of the heart obtains blood bereft of oxygen from the different organs, including the muscles. This blood, containing carbon dioxide, passes through the veins and enters the superior and inferior vena cava.
Subsequently, the right segment of the heart pumps this blood to the lungs, where the carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen inhaled by the organ.
In the process, the bluish blood from the right heart is changed to vividly red hued blood in the lungs. From the lungs, blood passes on to the left segment of the heart that pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the different parts of the body.
Under normal circumstances, the heart beats or pumps blood over a 100,000 times every day. Every moment, the heart regulates its beat and the vigor of its tightening that denotes the change in the requirement of oxygenated blood by the different parts of the body.
Nevertheless, a number of hematological situations are likely to boost the heart beat, for instance, in patients enduring anemia or any contagion.
CNS or the central nervous system comprises a chain of organs that make up the nervous tissues and all these tissues are intimately connected to one another.
The central nervous system incorporates the brain, the brain stem, the cerebellum as well as the spinal cord.
Together, the cerebellum, the brain and the brain stem constitute several million cells known as neurons. It is important to note that neurons are unable to proliferate.
They correspond with each other by means of an arrangement including diverging components, the entire length of which may be more than one meter.
In fact, the spinal cord is composed of such arrangement of split elements that pass through the middle of the vertebra in a channel called the vertebral canal.
In fact, the spinal cord is segregated into many sub-divisions that are called nerves. It may be noted here that any fracture in or smashing up of the spinal cord causes permanent paralysis.
As the central nervous system is one of the most vital parts of the body, it is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid that flows continuously to protect as well as nurture this.
Before any physician takes embarks on a puncture of the lumbar, he or she normally eliminates quite a few milliliters of the cerebrospinal fluid.
The digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal system, comprises the digestive tract or the alimentary canal through which ingested food passes from the mouth to the stomach and a number of different organs.
Every one of these organs, including the alimentary canal, performs particular functions during the process of digesting the ingested food.
The digestive tract or the alimentary canal stretches from the mouth to the anus. The major function of the digestive tract is to digest as well as assimilate the ingested food into our body.
The digestion and absorption of the ingested food as well as expulsion of the waste products as excreta is a multifaceted as well as complicated procedure, wherein each section of the digestive tract performs an exclusive function.
All through, the digestive tract has a coating of a slender film of cells known as intestinal mucous membrane.
Typically, the cells comprising the intestinal mucous membrane increase or proliferate at a rapid pace and hence, these cells are highly susceptible to treatments administered to combat cancer.
When the food is placed in the mouth, it is chewed and mixed with saliva secreted by the salivary glands present in the mouth.
Subsequently, the softened food is swallowed and it goes to the stomach traveling through the esophagus or the gullet.
In fact, use of radiation and chemotherapy to fight cancer are likely to have an influence on the salivary glands as well as the taste buds - diminutive glands present on the tongue and utilized to savor food.
In such cases, the patients will experience problems in savoring foods and may have dehydrated mouths.
Although not often, people taking chemotherapy or radiation may also experience symptoms called mucositis - formation of reddish blemishes and a smoldering feeling in the mouth), or esophagitis - inflammation of the gullet due to burning while swallowing food.
In addition to digesting and absorbing food, the stomach also serves as a pool where ingested food may be stored for a number of hours.
The stomach secretes certain acids that are mixed with the food and breaks it up with a view to facilitate the absorption of the nutrients present in the food into the body.
However, it must be noted that the stomach is responsive to medicines, such as aspirin and cortisone and may also act in response to stress by escalating the intensity of acids secreted by it.
Nevertheless, such reactions may deteriorate into a medical condition called gastritis (inflammation of the stomach resulting in heartburn). However, it is possible to alleviate these symptoms by drinking water or milk.
In addition, at times, the reactions of the stomach acids may also cause ulcers - profound corrosion of the stomach wall. It is important to note here that in case of gastritis and stomach ulcers which are not treated timely, they may result in stomach hemorrhages.
Use of specific medicines to treat trauma, strain and inflammation may result in disorders in the movement of the stomach that may frequently lead to conditions, such as vomiting and nausea.
The digestive system also includes the duodenum, a small intestine and the large intestine that form a long tube measuring around 21 feet or seven meters in length.
While the small intestine absorbs the solid foods, the large intestine assimilates the ingested liquids. When an individual is administered treatment to combat cancers, the mucous membranes or the coating of cells inside these organs usually stop their assimilation actions. Consequently, the patient may suffer from upset stomach and diarrhea.
Often, physicians try to overcome such inaction of the mucous membranes in the duodenum, small intestine and the large intestine to absorb food by feeding the patients by administering intra-venous injections.
The good thing is that the entire negative after effects in the digestive tract or alimentary canal caused by treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, administered to cancer patients are actually revocable and the organs return to their normal functioning soon after the treatment is stopped.
The pancreas is a part of the digestive system and performs two diverse activities. Pancreas helps in the digestive process by producing pancreatic juices that are secreted into the duodenum.
These pancreatic juices enclose enzymes that are crucial for digesting sugars, meats and different types of fats.
Another utility of the pancreas includes secretion of hormones, among which insulin is the most important. Insulin is important for the body as it sustains the accurate intensity of glucose in the bloodstream.
In fact, any decline in the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas results in diabetes.
It is important to note that certain substance like usage of alcoholic beverages and some drugs may cause harm to the pancreas.
In addition, sometimes formation of stones obstructing the opening of the pancreas may result in a condition called pancreatitis (congestion and tenderness of the pancreas).
Although pancreatitis may cause severe discomfort to the patient, this condition seldom occurs when an individual is being treated with anti-cancer therapies.
The liver is a comparatively big, glandular organ with a reddish-brown hue to be found in the upper right side of the abdominal cavity. The liver is divided into five lobes or parts through crevices and is a very vital organ that performs the maximum number of functions.
The liver plays a crucial role in the digestive process by secreting bile, which is necessary for assimilation of fats. In fact, bile is stored in the gallbladder before it is secreted into the duodenum.
In addition, the liver also produces several proteins - the most prominent among them are albumin and the proteins involved in the vital process of blood coagulation or formation of blood clots.
The liver also helps in getting the body rid of natural wastes produced by different organs as well as residues of different drugs.
Moreover, the function of the liver in the anti-cancer treatment courses is of tremendous importance. It may be noted here that the liver is susceptible to a number of drugs, venomous substances and also to specific viruses.
In addition, the bile duct is often blocked by the formation of gallbladder stones resulting to the jamming of the liver. Although rare, development of cancerous growth known as the lymphoma or cancer of the pancreas also causes liver congestion.
Occasionally, inflammation of the liver occurs either owing to lymphoma or gallstones and such a medical condition is called hepatitis.
The liver of a patient receiving chemotherapy is scrutinized regularly as well as closely, as hepatitis caused by use of certain drugs is quite common.
The liver is examined by means of regular blood tests and whenever there is any sign of harm to the liver owing to the use of any medication, the drug is stopped immediately.
Alternately, physicians may even change the dosage of the medication or administer an altogether different treatment. Occasionally, some specific spreading blood ailments like different types of leukemia and lymphoma may affect the liver.
In addition, the liver may be affected owing to bone marrow transplants caused by reactions between graft and host. In such cases, the physician usually recommends a biopsy to ascertain or cancel any diagnosis.
The system in our body that comprise organs that make, pull together as well as get rid of urine is collectively known as the urinary system.
This system incorporates the kidneys, the urethra and the urinary bladder. In fact, the role of the kidneys is of utmost importance as it is responsible for getting rid of all medicines and natural waste products generated by the different organs in the body.
In addition to synthesizing urine before it passes out of our body, the kidneys have several other functions too.
For instance, the kidneys are responsible for maintaining the equilibrium of the pressure of the arteries as well as regulate the amount of liquids as well as the intensity of essential minerals present in the body, such calcium, potassium, chlorides, sodium and others for the adequate operation of the internal organs.
As discussed earlier, the kidneys play a crucial role in getting the body rid of organic waste materials like urea and other drugs.
The kidneys distil these substances before eliminating them from the body. It may be mentioned here that the spreading blood ailments seldom have any influence on the kidneys.
Nevertheless, the kidneys are very susceptible to specific anti-rejection or anti-cancer drugs. Usually, the health and functioning of the kidneys of any patient receiving anti-cancer therapies are examined regularly and closely.
This is done by means of periodic blood examinations and analysis of the patient's urine.
In case the use of any drug alters the working of the kidneys, they are either changed or their dosage is reduces with immediate effect.
Occasionally, physicians may stop using the specific drug permanently for the particular patient and use a substitute medication that will have lesser toxic effects on the kidneys.
Following the synthesis of urine in the kidneys, it reaches the bladder passing through the urethra. The urinary bladder serves as a pool where urine is stored till it is full to its utmost capacity.
The urinary bladder has sensors placed along its walls and transmits signals to the central nervous system, which, in turn, informs us that urination is about to happen.
It has been found that urine may enclose deposits of numerous medicines taken by us. At times, such medicine residues may result in irritation inside the urinary bladder - a condition known as medication-related cystitis.
Occasionally, even bacteria and viruses may infect the urinary bladder resulting to a condition called infectious cystitis.
What is worse is that sometimes bacteria and viruses may even move towards the back from the urinary bladder to the kidneys passing through the urethra and contaminate the kidneys.
Such a condition is known as pyelonephritis. It is possible to cure both these conditions - infectious cystitis and pyelonephritis, rapidly by administering antibiotics.
