Hydronephrosis is a condition where urine accumulates in the kidney due to an obstruction in the urinary tract, causing it to distend and potentially lead to long-term kidney damage. It can be caused by various factors and requires medical attention, with treatments ranging from medical imaging to surgery.
Hydronephrosis is a medical condition characterized by distention of the kidney caused by an accumulation of urine that cannot be passed through the bladder. This condition can get quite dangerous and can also cause a number of health problems, including long-term atrophy of the kidney from stretching caused by hydronephrosis. There are a number of causes for this condition, along with an assortment of treatment approaches.
Urine will flow back into the kidneys if there is an obstruction in the urinary tract. This can be caused by a structural abnormality, compression of the urinary tract, or movement of the kidney causing a kink to develop, much like a kink in a hose. Obstructions such as tumors and kidney stones are also a common cause of the condition. Whatever the cause, urine will slowly begin to accumulate in the kidney, causing it to distend due to the pressure of the fluid inside.
This condition can be characterized as unilateral, meaning that one kidney is involved, or bilateral, in which case both kidneys are affected. Bilateral hydronephrosis tends to cause more severe symptoms, which include decreased urination, pain, and tenderness in the abdomen. In extreme cases, the kidney may be so swollen that it is palpable on physical examination.
In acute hydronephrosis, blockage and swelling occur rapidly, causing rapid onset of symptoms. Chronic hydronephrosis takes longer to develop into a serious problem and can be caused by a partial blockage that simply slows drainage from the kidney, rather than stopping it. Both require medical attention so the blockage can be identified and corrected.
Medical imaging such as ultrasound can often reveal hydronephrosis, and your doctor may also use urine samples and blood tests to test kidney function. Catheterization and more invasive procedures may be done in an attempt to determine the cause and remove the blockage. In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem that caused the condition, while in other cases, it may be possible to remove the blockage with less invasive techniques.
If something like a tumor is causing the condition, further treatment may be needed to prevent a recurrence. The kidneys may also need supportive care if the condition has been left untreated for an extended period, with treatments such as dialysis being used to give the kidneys a chance to recover.
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