What diseases can be detected through a urine test?

Dec 23, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, a urine test refers to a routine urinalysis, which can detect diseases such as urinary tract infections, urethritis, glomerulonephritis, hepatitis, and diabetes. Drinking more water regularly can increase urine output, helping to flush the urinary tract, promote bacterial excretion, reduce bacterial retention time in the urinary tract, and lower the risk of infection.

Generally, a urine test refers to a routine urinalysis, which can detect diseases such as urinary tract infections, urethritis, glomerulonephritis, hepatitis, and diabetes. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Urinary Tract Infection

During routine urinalysis, if the number of white blood cells in the urine increases and is accompanied by typical symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination, it usually indicates a urinary tract infection. Additionally, a positive bacterial culture from the urine sample is also an important diagnostic criterion for urinary tract infections.

2. Urethritis

Urethritis refers to the inflammation of the urethral mucosa, commonly caused by bacterial infection. In routine urinalysis, increased white blood cells in the urine, along with symptoms like urgency, frequency, and pain during urination, may indicate urethritis.

3. Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease characterized by inflammation and damage to the glomeruli. In routine urinalysis, elevated protein levels in the urine, combined with clinical manifestations such as hematuria (blood in urine), edema (swelling), and hypertension (high blood pressure), may serve as preliminary diagnostic indicators of glomerulonephritis.

4. Hepatitis

Testing for components such as bilirubin and bile acids in urine helps assess the functional status of the hepatic and biliary systems. When liver function is impaired, bilirubin metabolism and excretion are affected, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the urine. This can serve as an auxiliary diagnostic basis for liver and biliary system diseases such as hepatitis.

5. Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder. Urinary glucose testing in routine urinalysis is one of the important criteria for diagnosing diabetes. When blood glucose levels become excessively high, surpassing the kidney's reabsorption capacity, glucose is excreted into the urine, resulting in glucosuria (positive urine glucose). Elevated urine glucose levels detected in urinalysis, combined with clinical symptoms, can aid in the diagnosis of diabetes.

Drinking plenty of water regularly can increase urine output, helping to flush the urinary tract, promote bacterial elimination, reduce bacterial retention time in the urinary tract, and lower the risk of infection.

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What does it mean if a child's routine urine test shows a high red blood cell count, and what should be done?

Elevated red blood cells in a child's routine urinalysis may be caused by vigorous exercise, urethritis, nutcracker syndrome, urinary tract stones, acute glomerulonephritis, or other factors such as medications or systemic lupus erythematosus. If the underlying cause is unclear, it is recommended to have the child undergo relevant examinations to establish a clear diagnosis before initiating treatment.