Cells called epithelium layer forming the surface of the skin, membranes of body cavities, some cancer, and various mucous membranes. Among other things, the epithelium, including its species such as squamous cells, forming the shell of the urinary system. Squamous epithelium in the urine is not always a sign of an illness, but if the level is much higher than the norm, it can speak about certain health problems.
What can be caused by elevated levels of squamous epithelium in the urine?
In healthy women can be found in the urine of a small number of squamous cells. They naturally peeled from the membranes of urinary tract fall into the urine and removed from the body. Men in normal squamous cells in the urine either absent or present in even smaller amounts than women.
Very high concentrations of squamous epithelium in urine may indicate diseases such as cystitis and some species nephropathy, in particular, analgesic nephropathy and IgA-nephropathy. Only one indicator of squamous cells in urine is not sufficient to diagnose any of these violations. There are certain features of each of them, which can be noted at the patient, their causes, as well as diagnostic features that can be identified in the survey specialist.
Cystitis
In most cases, the urine contained in squamous cells that comprise the inner membrane of the bladder. Cystitis, or bladder inflammation, the cells can flake off more rapidly than usual, resulting in its concentration in urine increases. In women, cystitis
Cystitis: urgently take action
It meets about eight times more often than men, so that some mistakenly believe his female disease.
The fact that the shorter urethra in women than in men, and is located close to the anus, so that is easier to get an infection in the bladder. Up to 15% of women suffer from cystitis every year, and half of the women they become ill at least once in life.
As a rule, before the doctor detect elevated levels of squamous epithelium in the urine, a woman who became ill cystitis, said at symptoms such as burning and pain when urinating, frequent and very strong urge to urinate, and at the same time - the allocation of small amounts incontinence; dark, cloudy urine with a strong odor, hematuria (blood in the urine), pain in the lower abdomen, general malaise. These symptoms may be caused by other disorders, such as diseases, sexually transmitted infections, thrush, urethritis, prostatitis
Prostatitis: how to deal with pain
, Infection caused by E. coli is. For this reason, in the event of such symptoms is better not to self-medicate, to consult a doctor. It can be analyzed to identify the causative agent of cystitis, and choose one or another method of treatment.
In most patients, even without treatment, the symptoms of cystitis
Cystitis - symptoms: spasms, cramps and discomfort
become less pronounced in a few weeks from the date of their appearance, and a few weeks later, the disease goes away. The level of squamous cells in urine while to come back to normal. In the majority of cases of cystitis does not lead to serious complications.
IgA-nephropathy
IgA-nephropathy or Berger's disease - a disorder in which the kidneys are deposited antibodies called immunoglobulin A (IgA). This leads to a local inflammation, which eventually will begin to impact on the ability of the kidney to filter and remove fluid from the blood of excess water and electrolytes. Typically, the disease progresses slowly over many years, but in general, for IgA-nephropathy is not well studied, and sometimes it can be unpredictable.
Cure IgA-nephropathy is impossible, but there are drugs that can be used to slow down its development.
In the early stages of nephropathy this type cause any symptoms and often it is detected when during urinalysis revealed squamous cells and protein in the urine
The protein in the urine - a sign of danger, which should not be underestimated
And the presence of red blood cells in the urine, distinguishable only by microscope (microscopic hematuria).
If IgA-nephropathy has already lead to serious kidney damage, may appear the following symptoms:
- Hematuria - due to the high concentration of red blood cells urine color may resemble Coke or tea;
- Pain in the left and / or right side from the back;
- Swelling of the hands and feet;
- Foams urine because it contains protein;
- High blood pressure.
In addition to the analysis of urine, for suspected IgA-nephropathy can be made by a blood test, and performed renal ultrasound and / or renal biopsy.
Analgesic nephropathy
So called a disease in which damage to one or both kidneys caused by the abuse of drugs, most often - OTC analgesics. Very often the cause of this disorder becomes long medication, which contain phenacetin or acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. The risk of analgesic nephropathy is increased in people who for more than three years and take at least six analgesic tablets per day. As a rule, this violation is diagnosed in people who use such products on their own initiative, for example, to cope with chronic pain in certain diseases.
Analgesic nephropathy is rare - approximately four out of 100,000; the majority of cases - a woman over the age of thirty years. Incidence significantly decreased after many countries preparations containing phenacetin stopped sold without a prescription.
Signs of analgesic nephropathy may be weakness, fatigue, blood in the urine, frequent urination, decrease in urination, pain in the back with one or both sides, nausea, vomiting, loss of sensitivity, numbness (especially in the legs), swelling, drowsiness, sometimes - confusion.
A patient with analgesic nephropathy may be present in urine squamous cells and a small amount of protein, as well as red or white blood cells. In the diagnosis of this disorder can be used methods such as IVP, CT scan of the kidneys, a complete blood count.
