We live in an age where the lines between computer support and human support are blurring. Computer repair means experienced people with an advanced knowledge of current computer technology. There are many small businesses specializing in computer repair services and consulting for companies and for the average person. But in the halls of many major universities studies are underway that would turn that notion on its head. Computer repair would mean vital body immune response would be carried out by smaller computers. Nanotechnology has come a long way and it is poised to change everything. One of the major fields of change will be in medical technology.

Nanotechnology is the application of technology using very small things. A nanometer is a unit of measurement. Nanotechnology use elements between 1 and 100 nanometers. If you took 800,000 nanometers and laid them side by side it would be about the width of a hair. That’s small stuff. Being able to operate and manipulate materials at such a small level holds great potential benefit in the medical arena. Many institutions and researchers are engaged in exciting studies that could lead to a major revolution in health care. Some changes are already occurring.

Currently there are many different studies using nanotechnology in a variety of ways. One area of interest is in how nanotechnology can help in diagnosing and treating cancer. One of the biggest drawbacks to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy is that it is a shotgun approach to treating the body. Normal and cancer cells are assaulted. With nanotechnology specific cells can be treated. There are studies that employee RNA strands that can find and attach to cancer cells. Once attached, these strands can release anti-cancer agents into the afflicted cells. Other studies have focused on creating a color coding system using nanotechnology that would create protein indicators that would attach to cancer cells making them easier to trace. Another developing use for nanotechnology in the fight against cancer is nano shells. Nano shells are made of minute beads with various thicknesses made of gold. These shells are drawn to cancer cells, surround them and then are heated with near infrared light which destroys the cancer cells, but spares the near by healthy cells not surrounded by nano shells.

Nano devices would be small enough to enter a cell. They would be so small that they would be able to interact with proteins and DNA. They would be able to monitor the cell and detect disease using a smaller quantity of cell tissue. This means that diseases and change in cell tissue could be monitored and detected much earlier in the process. Since success in fighting cancer often depends on early detection, this would be a major advance in cancer fighting technology.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area of science that combines many disciplines including; physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and many other sciences including political and social science. With continual breakthroughs in all different fields, the advent of Nanotechnology if fully upon us.

Hydronephrosis is distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces caused by obstruction of free flow of urine from the kidney, leading to progressive atrophy of the kidney.

Hydronephrosis may be unilateral involving just one kidney or bilateral involving both.

A complication of hydronephrosis is decreased kidney function.

The increased pressure of extra fluid within the kidney decreases the blood filtration rate and may cause structural damage to kidney cells.

This decrease in function is reversible if the underlying condition is corrected but if the hydronephrosis lasts many weeks, the damage may be permanent.

Causes:

There are numerous causes of hydronephrosis that are categorized based on whether the cause is intrinsic (located within the urinary collecting system) or extrinsic (outside of the collecting system).

Examples of Intrinsic Causes of Hydronephrosis

Ureter

•Kidney stone: causes obstruction of the ureter as it moves from the kidney into the bladder via ureter so, urine will back up and cause the kidney to swell.
•Stricture or scarring

Bladder

•Bladder stones
•Cystocele
•Bladder neck contracture

Urethra

•The inability to empty the bladder for any reason may cause bilateral hydronephrosis.
• Urethral stricture

Examples of Extrinsic Causes of Hydronephrosis

Ureter

•Tumors or cancers that compress the ureter and prevent urine flow
•Retroperitoneal fibrosis
•Cancer of cervix
•Cancer of prostate
•Pregnancy
•Uterine prolapse
•Scarring due to radiation therapy

Symptoms:

Acute hydronephrosis:

1.Back pain radiating to groin
2.Nausea
3.Vomiting
4.Blood in the urine

Chronic hydronephrosis:

1.Weakness
2.Malaise
3.Nausea
4.Vomiting
5.Electrolyte abnormalities
6.Muscle spasms

Diagnosis:

Taking the history of signs and symptoms.

Reviewing the patient’s past medical history and family history and Physical examination

Laboratory Tests

The following laboratory tests may be useful:

1.Urinalysis to look for infection or abnormal cells.
2.Complete blood count(CBC) may reveal.
3.Electrlyte analysis may be helpful in chronic hydronephrosis since the kidneys are responsible for maintaining and balancing their concentrations in the blood stream.
4.BUN(blood urea nitrogen), Creatinine and glomerular filteration rate(GFR) are blood tests that help to assess the kidney function.

Imaging Studies

1.CT scan of the abdomen can be performed to evaluate the kidney anatomy and make the diagnosis of hydronephrosis
2.Ultrasound is another imaging study that can be done to look for hydronephrosis.
3.Intravenous pyelography (IVP)
4.KUB X-rays (an X-ray that shows the kidney, ureter, and bladder)

Treatment:

The treatment for hydronephrosis is to restart the free flow of urine from the kidney and decrease the swelling and pressure that builds up and decreases kidney function.

The initial care for the patient is to minimize pain and preventing urinary tract infections.

Otherwise surgical intervention may be required.

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy)

Bladder catheterization

Stent placement

Complications :

kidney infections (pyelonephrosis),
sepsis
complete kidney function loss
death

Prevention:

Since hydronephrosis is a situation that occurs because of an underlying cause, prevention depends upon avoiding the underlying cause.

For example, individuals with kidney stones that cause ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis can be avoided by decreasing the chance of stone recurrence by keeping well hydrated.

Homoeopathic Treatment:

1.Berberis vulgaris:

a.cutting pain or a burning feeling that extends to the urethra
b.The passage may also burn at times when no attempt at urination is being made.
c.After emptying the bladder, the person feels as if some urine still remains inside.
d.Urging and discomfort are often worse from walking.
e.indicated mainly in left-sided renal stones.

2.Sarsaparilla:

a.Frequent urging is felt, with burning pain at the end of urination.
b.Urine passes when the person is standing up, but only dribbling occurs while sitting.
c.Flakes or sediment are sometimes seen in the urine.
d.excruciating pains from right kidney downwards.

3.Lycopodium:

a.This remedy may be helpful if a person has to urinate frequently during the night and passes large amounts of urine.
b.the person may feel a painful urge, but has to strain to make the urine flow.
c.Pain may be felt in the back before the urine passes