Concept and Etiology –
Dehydration is a common health disorder that can adversely impact the reproductive system and
urinary system of affected individuals. The proper intake of water influences fertility in individuals.
In men, dehydration could lead to a decline in the quality of sperm and a reduced volume of semen.
In women, dehydration could affect the normal menstrual cycle (Giersch et al., 2020). According to
Torkan (2021), dehydration can also intensify pain and menstrual distress in females of reproductive
age (Torkan et al., 2021). The medical condition in affected individuals can lead to reduced
production of urine and increase the risk of the urinary system (Giersch et al., 2020). It deviates
from the definition of health as it affects the wellness and well-being of individuals.
Classification –
Dehydration takes place when the body loses more fluid than it consumes. The medical condition
can be classified into hypotonic dehydration, hypertonic dehydration, and isotonic water loss.
Hypotonic dehydration occurs when there is more sodium loss as compared to water loss
(Radulovic et al., 2015). Hypertonic dehydration takes place when the water loss exceeds the
sodium loss. Excess loss of water might occur through the skin, kidneys, and lungs. c Isotonic water
loss occurs when both water and sodium are lost from the body. Some of the causes include
vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, etc. (Vega & Avva, 2020).
Clinical Manifestations –
Some of the main symptoms of dehydration include feeling thirsty, feeling exhausted, feeling light-
headed, having dry eyes, mouth, and lips, and peeing less than four times a day (NHS, 2021). The
common signs of severe dehydration include rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, extremely dry skin,
lack of energy, and sunken eyes. Both signs and symptoms relating to the medical condition need to
be identified in a timely manner so that suitable treatment can begin.
Diagnostic Tests –
Several tests can be conducted to illuminate the diagnosis. Generally, a doctor can diagnose the
medical condition by simply examining the physical signs and symptoms in an individual. However,
other aspects can also shed light on the condition, such as low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate,
and decline in blood flow to the extremities in the body. Some of the common diagnostic tests that
can help to identify the common disorder in individuals include blood tests and urinalysis. The
sample of blood can be checked for various factors like the level of electrolyte, specifically
potassium and sodium and c c the functioning of the kidney. Similarly, urinalysis can help to show
whether a person is dehydrated or not and the severity of the condition.
Concept and Etiology: Pyelonephritis affects the urinary system by way of the kidneys. It is a kidney
infection that begins in the urethra and travels to one or both kidneys. It usually begins as a urinary
tract infection (UTI) and travels to the kidneys because the bacteria that causes the infection goes
up to the kidneys and then it is classified as pyelonephritis. E. coli is usually the most common
bacteria or cause of pyelonephritis. The bacteria can enter through the urethra which carries urine
or from an infection elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream to the kidneys. This disease
deviates from the definition of health because it is a kidney infection so the body would no longer
be in a state of wellbeing or free from illness.
Classification: Pyelonephritis can be classified in two ways: acute and chronic. Acute pyelonephritis
is usually sudden and can be severe. Chronic pyelonephritis is when the disease keeps reoccurring.
In some cases when acute pyelonephritis goes untreated or not resolved it can lead to chronic
pyelonephritis.
Clinical Manifestations: Signs and symptoms that can alert to pyelonephritis are foul smelling or
cloudy urine, frequent urination, burning or painful urination, side, back or groin pain, fever, chills
and nausea and vomiting.
Diagnostic Tests: Tests that can preformed to reach a diagnosis of pyelonephritis are a patient
history, physical exam, urinalysis, blood culture, ultrasound, CT scan, and a voiding X-ray call a
cystourethrogram.
Baskins, Laurence, et al. (2021) University of California San Francisco. Urinary Tract
Infection/Pyelonephritis. https://urology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/children/urinary-tract-infection-
pyelonephritis#.YZ4gKtDMLIU
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Kidney Infection.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-
infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353387
Story, L. (2017). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach (3rd Edition). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781284142983
Giersch, G. E., Charkoudian, N., Stearns, R. L., & Casa, D. J. (2020). Fluid balance and hydration
considerations for women: review and future directions. Sports Medicine, 50(2), 253-261.
Radulovic, N., Lekovic, Z., Vuletić, B., Radulovic, V., & Simić, D. (2015). Acute diarrhea in children.
Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo, 143(11-12), 755-762.
NHS. (2021). Dehydration. NHS choices. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/.
Torkan, B., Mousavi, M., Dehghani, S., Haji pours, L., Sadeghi, N., Rad, M. Z., & Montazeri, A. (2021).
The role of water intake in the severity of pain and menstrual distress among females suffering
from primary dysmenorrhea: a semi-experimental study. BMC Women's Health, 21(1), 1-9.
Vega, R. M., & Avva, U. (2020). Ped iatric dehydration. Stat Pearls [Internet].
