What is Hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which either one or both of your kidneys swell up because urine can not drain out of your body. It happens due to the obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract. When hydronephrosis occurs in a single kidney, it is called unilateral hydronephrosis. When it occurs in both the kidneys, it is called bilateral hydronephrosis.
It can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, either in ureters, bladder or urethra. Hydronephrosis can affect the functioning of your kidneys. If not treated at the right time, it can result in permanent damage to your kidneys or kidney failure. Therefore, if you are suffering from hydronephrosis, visit a top urologist in Karachi soon.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hydronephrosis?
The signs and symptoms of hydronephrosis are
Flank pain
Abdominal pain
Groin pain
Pain during urination
Urinary incontinence
Fever
Nausea
Weakness or malaise
The signs and symptoms may vary according to the severity of the condition and blockage.
What are the Causes of Hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis itself is an indicator of an underlying condition. It can occur due to various reasons like:
Kidney stones-kidney stones may get dislodge from kidney and obstruct ureters, bladder or urethra.
Congenital blockage- that is present from birth.
Scarring of tissue or any injury that causes blockage of the urinary tract
Tumour or cancer -tumour or cancer of bladder, colon, prostate or any organ of the urinary tract can obstruct urine flow.
Enlarged prostate- also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, exerts pressure on the urethra- a tube that passes the urine out from the body.
Blood clot-that develops in the kidney or urinary bladder can obstruct the urinary tract.
Narrowing or stricture of the urinary tract- it can occur due to congenital abnormalities or urinary tract infections.
Nerve problems-any problem in the nerve or muscle like diabetes mellitus can cause urine retention.
Vesicoureteral reflex- a condition in which urine flows backwards from the urinary bladder to the kidneys.
Uterocele- a condition in which lower part of the ureter may protrude into the urinary bladder causing backflow of urine.
In women, hydronephrosis may occur due to:
Uterine-prolapse- it is a condition in which uterus of a woman slips out of its position. Therefore, exerting pressure on urinary bladder and ureters.
Cystocele- a condition in which the wall between the urinary bladder and the vagina weakens. Due to which bladder droops into the vagina.
Pregnancy-during pregnancy, when your uterus exerts pressure on the urinary bladder and ureters, it an cause blockage of urine.
What are the Treatment Options for Hydronephrosis?
The treatment of hydronephrosis depends on its cause. If a blood clot or scarring tissue is causing it, the doctors may perform surgery to remove it. Moreover, if it is due to kidney stones, the doctors may give you a treatment to remove them in the form of radiation therapy or endoscopic surgery along with antibiotics. If hydronephrosis occurs due to blocked ureters, your healthcare providers may insert a ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube to get rid of the condition.
Conclusion
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which urine cannot drain out of your body and your kidneys swell up. It is often a treatable condition, depending on the cause. Never delay your visit to a healthcare provider if you are having difficulty in urination or blood in the urine. If delayed, hydronephrosis can result in kidney failure. To avoid any complications, visit a top urologist in Islamabad.