Final answer:
Oliguria is a symptom characterized by urine excretion of less than 600 ml/day, which can be indicative of urinary flow obstruction in kidneys. Hydronephrosis is a common cause of such obstructions which can lead to kidney damage and reduced function. Diagnosis involves checking creatinine, urea levels, urine output, and ultrasonography to confirm obstructions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oliguria is defined as the excretion of urine being less than 600 ml/day. This condition can occur in several scenarios such as fever, shock, vomiting, and diarrhoea. However, in the context of urinary flow obstruction in one or both kidneys, oliguria can be suggestive of an underlying kidney disorder. Complete obstruction can lead to a more severe condition known as anuria, where urine excretion falls below 10 ml/day or ceases altogether, often seen in acute renal failure or nephritis.
Hydronephrosis represents the enlargement of one or both kidneys due to the obstruction of urine flow and is a common cause of such pathology. As urine backs up within the renal pelvis and kidneys, pressure increases and can damage kidney tissues, thereby reducing kidney function. This condition can result from various causes including kidney stones, medication effects, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and abdominal malignancies.
For diagnosis, medical professionals measure serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urine output. Often, ultrasonography is employed to confirm the absence or presence of an obstruction. Decreased ability to concentrate or dilute urine during osmolality testing may also indicate impaired kidney function.
Understanding these symptoms and patterns is crucial for the timely diagnosis and management of kidney-related disorders such as glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, or pyuria (pus in the urine) complicating the urinary system.