Hydronephrosis is the dilation of the kidney that occurs when urine cannot pass through the bladder and therefore builds up inside the kidney. When this happens, the kidney cannot function normally and, as a result, its function decreases and there may be a risk of developing kidney failure.
Hydronephrosis usually appears as a complication of another disease, such as kidney stones or a urinary tract tumor, and it is recommended to consult the nephrologist or family doctor to identify the cause of the problem and initiate appropriate treatment, in order to avoid further serious sequelae.
- In most cases.
- Hydronephrosis affects a single kidney.
- But it is also possible to develop bilateral hydronephrosis.
- In which symptoms may appear more quickly and become more severe.
- With both kidneys affected.
The first symptoms of hydronephrosis are milder and often include frequent urination and sudden urination. However, over time, other signs may appear, such as:
In addition, people with hydronephrosis also have an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections, which are accompanied by other symptoms such as burns when urinating, cloudy urine, back pain and chills, for example. See a more complete list of symptoms of urinary tract infection.
Whenever a urinary problem is suspected, it is important to visit your gynecologist, nephrologist, or urologist for diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound, urine tests, or blood tests, to identify a possible cause and begin appropriate treatment.
Hydronephrosis usually occurs when there is a blockage in the ureters, which are the channels that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder, preventing urine from passing through. Situations that can cause this blockage include kidney stones, tumors of the urinary tract, or an enlarged prostate in men, for example.
In addition, hydronephrosis is also very common during pregnancy, as fetal growth inside the uterus can eventually tighten the urinary tract and prevent the passage of urine, which begins to accumulate within the kidney.
Treatment for hydronephrosis involves removing accumulated urine and eliminating the cause of the disease, so that urine can flow freely into the bladder and leave the kidney, reducing swelling. Therefore, treatment may vary depending on the cause of hydronephrosis:
For tumors, surgery may be needed to remove the mass, in addition to the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy, for example. To better understand how a bladder tumor is treated.
Normally, the kidney recovers approximately 6 weeks after the start of treatment, with no risk of additional organic damage beyond those that have already appeared at the start of treatment.
When hydronephrosis is not treated properly, kidney swelling causes minor damage that interferes with organ function. Over time, significant mineral imbalances can occur in the body, as well as severe kidney infections and a high risk of developing kidney failure.