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Bladder, kidney and urinary system
Pūnaha pukumimi, whatumanawa me mimi

Acute kidney failure

Acute kidney failure (also called acute kidney injury) affects both your kidneys. It means that they have suddenly stopped working properly. It can happen at any age, but it is more common if you are aged 65 or over and have a long term health problem such as diabetes or heart failure.

Bladder control problems (urinary incontinence)

Urinary incontinence is when you lose bladder control and you accidentally leak wee (urine). It may be occasionally leaking a few drops of wee to leaking enough to affect your daily activities.

Blood in the urine (haematuria)

Blood in wee (urine) is called haematuria.The most common causes are a urine infection or a kidney infection.

Chronic kidney disease

Kidney disease can go on for a long time without you noticing. If you are at risk of kidney disease, you need to know what it is and how to prevent it.

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

Kidney infection is a painful bacterial infection of one or both of your kidneys. If it is treated early, there should be no serious harm. If it is left untreated, it can get worse and cause kidney damage.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones form when some chemicals and minerals build up in the kidneys or in the wee (urine). Kidney stones can cause pain or other symptoms.

Looking after your kidneys

Having healthy kidneys is important for your general health and wellbeing. There are ways you can protect your kidneys. Making healthy changes will also help if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Overactive bladder (irritable bladder)

An overactive bladder is when your bladder suddenly contracts, causing a strong desire to wee. It happens without you being in control, and when your bladder is not full.

Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis)

Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis) is inflammation of the bladder causing bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain when your bladder is full. It is a long-term condition.

Polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease is where fluid-filled cysts form on your kidneys causing them to slowly enlarge. It can very slowly cause your kidneys to stop working properly. Cysts can also grow in other parts of your body, such as your liver, brain and heart.

Urinary catheters

Sometimes you may need help passing wee (urine) using a catheter. This may be because of a blockage, or because you cannot control when you wee.

Urinary obstruction (blockage)

Some illnesses and conditions can block your flow of wee. This usually happens in the tube that connects your bladder to the outside (urethra). It can be serious.

Urine infections (cystitis)

The infection can make weeing painful and urgent. You need antibiotics to clear the infection.