Swelling or inflammation in one or both the kidneys is known as hydronephrosis. Kidneys are the bean shaped organs located in the abdomen. Their function is to filter out waste products from the blood..
Swelling or inflammation in one or both the kidneys is known as hydronephrosis. Kidneys are the bean shaped organs located in the abdomen. Their function is to filter out waste products from the blood and produce urine. Each kidney is made up of two parts: one parts performs the function of filtering the blood and removing excess salt and water present. The other part collects the urine. When a person has hydronephrosis, too much urine is collected in that part of the kidney which performs the function of collecting urine. The excess urine results in swelling of that part and makes it larger than the usual.
Usually, patients suffering from hydronephrosis show less or no symptoms, especially if the formation of blockage over the time is slow. Although, some patients show severe symptoms that include:
- Acute pain in the abdomen or flank in the body.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Painful and difficult urination.
- Frequent urge to urinate.
- Urgent need to urinate.
- Infection in the urinary tract.
- Fever.
There are many factors that can also result in hydronephrosis. Some of them are:
- Stone in the kidneys.
- Congenital blockage (a defect that is present since birth).
- Blood clots.
- Scarred tissues (from a previous injury or surgery).
- Tumours or cancer (bladder, prostate or cervical).
- Benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland).
- Due to pregnancy.
- Infection in the urinary tract (some other defect that results in swelling of the urinary tract).
Some common risks of hydronephrosis are:
- Kidney atrophy.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Large hydronephrosis.
- Kidney stones.
Hydronephrosis cannot be treated. However, immediate treatment of the conditions that cause hydronephrosis reduces the threat of the disease.
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Our superspecialist doctors provide the highest quality of care through a team-based, doctor-led model. Trained at some of the world's most renowned i..... Continue Reading
