What Are the Treatments for Excretory System Diseases?

The excretory system includes the kidneys, ureters, urethra, bladder and liver. This system is responsible for removing metabolic waste from the body. It breaks down toxins and transports them out through urine. Sometimes this system encounters diseases such as urinary tract infections or kidney stones. There are four major treatments applicable to most excretory diseases.

Diet

• Dietary change may help clear excretory system ailments, claims the Natural Health School. For example, giving up alcohol may improve poor liver function and therefore improve metabolization of ammonia. Drinking more water may also help with conditions like bladder infections, since bacteria is flushed out in the urine. Certain foods and drinks like cranberry juice may contain substances that hinder the chances of excretory issues.

Antibiotics and Medications

• Doctors may prescribe antibiotics and medications for excretory diseases, according to The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse and MedicineNet. The exact antibiotic or medication will depend upon the disease. For example, to attack specific types of bacteria in the excretory system, doctors could prescribe a range of drugs: trimethoprim trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin, ampicillin and more.

Ultrasound

• Ultrasound sends sound waves through the body beyond human hearing capability. Doctors use ultrasound (as well as X-rays) to locate kidney stones and other masses. This helps them with diagnosis and planning a course of treatment. Sometimes doctors also prescribe ultrasound as a direct treatment, according to Men's Health HealthNet. Ultrasound waves hitting a kidney stone make it jostle and sometimes break apart. Thus, they will pass through the urethra more easily.

Surgery

• A number of diseases may cause kidney failure (e.g., diabetes). If other treatments do not work to restore excretory system function, doctors may use surgery as a last resort. Sometimes this involves manually removing blockages or making repairs to parts of the excretory system. Occasionally, it involves a complete kidney or liver transplant; however, before receiving a transplant organ, patients need to know the cause of their kidney failure and have a good recovery prognosis. Doctors do not want diseases to destroy the new organ.