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hydronephrosis
What are the symptoms of hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is often due to obstructive factors in the urinary system, such as stones, tumors, prostate hyperplasia, etc., causing urine to not be excreted smoothly, so patients may have symptoms related to obstructive kidney disease. Since the kidney is in a state of water accumulation, the ureter may experience spasms, so patients may experience pain in the lower back area. Especially in patients with kidney stones leading to hydronephrosis, as these kidney stones can cause severe pain. Furthermore, patients may experience hematuria. If the hydronephrosis is bilateral, it can lead to a sudden decrease in urine output and acute renal failure.
Causes of hydronephrosis
The so-called hydronephrosis often occurs because there is some factor in the patient's kidney or ureter that prevents the urine from being excreted smoothly, causing fluid accumulation and dilation in the renal pelvis, renal calyx, and ureter. The causes of this obstruction are often mechanical, such as urinary system stones, tumors, urinary tract deformities, or compression of the ureter caused by enlargement or tumors in nearby organs of the urinary system. In a few cases, it may also be related to a decline in the function of the ureter itself, such as a neurogenic bladder, ureteral reflux, or decreased ureteral motility.
Hydronephrosis should be seen by the Urology Department.
Hydronephrosis requires consultation at the urology department of a formal public hospital. Hydronephrosis refers to the situation where urine produced by the kidneys cannot be smoothly excreted. The primary reason is usually due to obstructions in the urinary tract below the kidneys, such as in the ureter or bladder. Obstructive factors primarily include stones, tumors, prostate enlargement in men, scarring or adhesions in the ureter, or inadequate ureteral motility, among others, often necessitating urologic intervention. These obstructive factors usually require surgical removal, such as using ultrasonic lithotripsy for stones or direct surgical intervention, thus necessitating a visit to urology.
Can you have sex with hydronephrosis?
Before the complete resolution of hydronephrosis, it is recommended that patients avoid sexual intercourse. This is because hydronephrosis indicates the presence of obstructive factors in the urinary system, causing urine to not be excreted smoothly. Urine accumulates within the urinary system, causing dilation of the renal pelvis, calyces, and ureter. If urine cannot be excreted, bacteria can easily ascend from the urethral opening into the urinary system, causing an inflammatory response. If patients engage in sexual intercourse during this time, bacteria at the urethral opening can easily be pressed into the bladder, ascending and potentially causing pyelonephritis or cystitis. Therefore, it is best for such patients to avoid sexual intercourse until the hydronephrosis has been thoroughly addressed.
What are the symptoms of hydronephrosis?
Patients with hydronephrosis may not exhibit any symptoms. Whether symptoms are present depends on factors such as the extent of renal damage caused by hydronephrosis, the severity of the hydronephrosis, and the duration of hydronephrosis. Some patients might only notice the issue due to a lump in the abdomen or a swelling sensation in the lower back, prompting them to undergo ultrasound imaging that reveals hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis can cause renal colic, and patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and reduced urine output. When hydronephrosis is complicated by infection, symptoms like chills, shivering, fever, and headache can occur. Some patients may first present clinically with a urinary tract infection, showing symptoms like fever, frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. In rare cases, hydronephrosis can rupture and lead to bleeding.