Hydronephrosis
May 30, 2018 Source: Internal - Gleb Danylov
The Urinary System
Your urinary tract is composed of the kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Your kidneys filter around 180 litres of blood a day producing 2 litres of urine. Urine contains all the excess waste and fluid, that the body did not need. From the kidneys, urine drains into the renal pelvis where it travels down the ureters and into the bladder. The bladder stores the urine until it is ready to be excreted out of the urethra.
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which the urine cannot be drained out of the kidney resulting in swelling. It is often caused by an underlying condition that affects filtration capabilities of the kidney. Including obtrusions such as kidney stones, cancers or urinary tract infections. There are two types depending on whether the blockage is inside the collecting system or outside.
Symptoms
Indications of hydronephrosis are usually through a pain in the side and back of the abdomen or groin. Furthermore, other symptoms include pain during urination and problems urinating. In cases of acute hydronephrosis, you may experience writhing pain, and feelings of nausea. If hydronephrosis is not treated then it can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.
Treatment
For hydronephrosis the underlying condition is usually treated to alleviate any fluid blocked up in the kidneys. Obtrusions such as kidney stones can be cleared out of the system naturally, but may also require surgery to be removed. In severe cases of hydronephrosis, urine may need to be drained out of the kidney through the use of a catheter. It is important to have symptoms inspected to prevent any damage to the kidneys.
