Dorothy FarrarHydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis refers to the enlargement of the urine collection basins in the urinary system. These are most often caused by a blockage in the flow of urine. The most common cause of hydronephrosis is the formation of a kidney stone in the urinary system.
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which the kidneys’ urine collection pool is enlarged. This can be due to normal enlargement, or it can be the result of an underlying disease. Normally, the kidneys filter waste products from the blood and excrete them in the urine.
The connection between the kidneys and the bladder is the problem here. In most cases, a lack of drainage leads to an enlargement of the kidneys. The result is reduced kidney function. Permanent damage can occur if the condition persists for a long period of time.
causes
There are a variety of causes of hydronephrosis, they are categorized depending on where they occur, and more broadly, whether they are outside the urinary tract or inside.The most common cause of hydronephrosis within the urinary system is the kidney stone in the ureter. This narrows the ureter, resulting in a blockage in the drain. Blood clots or tears in the ureter can also lead to congestion here.
Common causes of hydronephrosis originating in the bladder are bladder cancer , bladder stones , cystocele , or narrowing of the bladder neck. Examples of causes of hydronephrosis that come from outside the urinary system are, for example, tumors that narrow the ureters and thus make drainage difficult, prostate cancer , uterine cancer. However, hydronephrosis can also occur due to disorders in the nerves. These include, for example, brain tumors , spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis or diabetes .
When to the doctor?
Problems with urination or urinary irregularities should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as they recur. Discoloration of the urine or abnormalities in the amount of urine excreted should be checked and medically treated. Pain in the kidneys or a feeling of pressure in the kidney region must be clarified by a doctor. If you feel generally ill or feel unwell, consult a doctor.
Cramps , abdominal pain, or muscle discomfort in the lower back should be evaluated and treated. If you experience back pain, sweating, or signs of dizziness or vomiting, consult a doctor. If the symptoms increase in intensity or if there are further impairments, a doctor is needed. If everyday and professional obligations can no longer be fulfilled as usual, this is cause for concern.
If problems with the digestive process occur and diarrhea, constipation or flatulence occur, a doctor should be consulted. Flank pain and discomfort during rotary movements must be clarified by a doctor. If sleep disorders occur or if you feel uncomfortable lying on your back or sitting, you need to see a doctor. In the event of internal dryness, increased body temperature or persistent exhaustion, a doctor should be consulted. An unusual and frequently occurring urinary pressure must be medically examined and treated as soon as possible.
symptoms and course
Possible signs of hydronephrosis:
There may or may not be direct symptoms of hydronephrosis. This in turn depends on the nature of the disease. People who suffer from acute hydronephrosis usually have symptoms of renal colic caused by a kidney stone. These are expressed in severe abdominal, back or flank pain, combined with dizziness, vomiting and sweating attacks. This pain, which comes from colic, comes and goes and, at its highest intensity, is often so severe that it leads to severe cramps. There may be blood in the urine. Chronic hydronephrosis develops slowly and there are no specific symptoms. They can resemble those of kidney failure. Dizziness, vomiting, weakness, muscle spasticityor cardiac disorders can occur as a result.
Diagnose
A diagnosis of hydronephrosis is made based on a physical examination and interviewing the patient about their symptoms and medical history. The patient’s responses may lead to further tests and investigations. The direct further procedure also depends on whether questioning and physical examinations lead to acute signs. For example, severe pain in the lower back or abdomen.
Swelling of the prostate can occur in men and in the uterus in women. Laboratory tests can go further to look for blood in the urine , but a blood test can provide more accurate information by counting blood cells. Analysis of the creatinine level or imaging methods are also effective in further diagnosis; especially when localizing kidney stones or a possible tumor.
complications
Hydronephrosis is a serious condition. In the worst case, this disease can also lead to destruction of the tissue in the kidneys, so that the patients are dependent on dialysis or a donor kidney. As a rule, patients with hydronephrosis suffer from pain in the flanks and abdomen. This pain often spreads to the back or abdomen. There is also a general feeling of illness and cramps in the muscles.
The quality of life of those affected decreases significantly due to hydronephrosis and is restricted. Permanent dizziness and vomiting can also occur. Those affected often suffer from sweating, especially at night, and thus from severe sleep disorders . Hydronephrosis can also lead to bloody urine and kidney failure. The disease is treated by surgery. There are no particular complications. In severe cases, however, the kidneys or ureters must be completely replaced. However, the body can reject donor organs.
treatment and therapy
The goal of treating hydronephrosis is to reduce the swelling caused by some form of flow obstruction. So that the normal flow from the kidneys to the bladder is guaranteed again. It is particularly important to keep the pain for the patient as low as possible and to prevent infections in the urinary system. Otherwise an operation is necessary.
The exact treatment depends on the causes of hydronephrosis. For example: If a person has a kidney stone and the flow of urine does not stop completely, they are treated with painkillers so that the kidney stone can be passed through the urinary system in the normal way. This process can take 1 to 2 weeks. If there is a risk of infection or other complications, the stone is removed with surgery.A special treatment with shocks can destroy the kidney stone in the urinary system so that the individual components can be discharged better. If the outflow is caused by other disturbances, these can possibly be circumvented by bypasses. The surgical installation of a stent (vascular prosthesis) is another way to ensure drainage again.
prevention
Since the disease of hydronephrosis is very dependent on what exactly causes the disease, prevention is also difficult to reduce to a simple common denominator. The occurrence of individual diseases that cause hydronephrosis can be reduced by taking certain preventive measures. Thus, the formation of a kidney stone and the resulting narrowing of the urinary system can be prevented if the patient remains sufficiently hydrated.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.