The inflamed kidney, also known as an enlarged kidney and scientifically known as hydronephrosis, occurs when there is a blockage of urine flow in any area of the urinary system, from the kidneys to the urethra. Thus, urine is retained, causing kidney swelling, which can be noticed through certain symptoms such as lbp, pain and difficulty urinating, nausea, urinary incontinence and fever.
Kidney swelling is mainly caused by a blockage of the ureter that can be caused by tumors, kidney stones, benign prostate hyperplasia or by malformations of the urinary system, becoming known as congenital hydronephrosis. Learn more about hydronephrosis.
- In most cases of inflammation of the kidneys.
- No signs or symptoms are observed.
- But when they appear.
- They vary depending on the cause.
- Duration and location of the blockage.
- The most common symptom is LBP.
- Also known as kidney pain.
- Which can radiate to the groin when the cause is a blockage by kidney stones.
- For example.
- Other symptoms include:.
Diagnosis of the dilated kidney is made by a nephrologist, urologist, or family doctor, who usually requires imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT or MRI to evaluate not only the kidney, but the entire urinary system. In addition, urine and blood tests are usually prescribed to detect changes in the urinary system.
Your doctor may also perform bladder catheterization, which is a procedure in which a thin tube is inserted through your urethra to drain urine. If too much urine can flow, it means there is a blockage and the kidney may also be inflamed.
The blockage of the kidneys that causes the swelling of these organs may be due to the presence of tumors, kidney stones or ureters, the presence of clots and constipation. In addition, in men, an enlarged kidney may occur due to an enlarged prostate.
It is also common for women’s kidneys to inflate during pregnancy, due to the growth of the fetus inside the uterus that can tighten the urinary system and thus prevent the passage of urine, which eventually accumulates in the kidneys. Urinary tract infections can also cause inflammation of the kidneys, as they can affect the functioning of the ureter.
In some cases, inflammation of the kidneys may be present from birth, due to a malformation of the urinary system and therefore renal inflammation is said to be congenital.
Treatment of the inflamed kidney will depend on its cause, but it can be done with medications prescribed by the nephrologist or urologist to relieve symptoms or prevent common infections when the kidney is enlarged. In addition, in some cases, minor surgery may be indicated to remove accumulated urine and use a urinary catheter after the procedure.