symptoms of hydronephrosis infection

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 12, 2024
00:00
00:00

In cases of hydronephrosis, urinary tract infections are common, and these infections primarily manifest as pyelonephritis. The presence of fluid in the kidneys indicates that urine cannot be excreted smoothly, leading to an obstruction in the urinary tract. Therefore, bacteria can easily multiply in this area because normal urine, if it can be excreted smoothly, also serves to flush the urinary system, preventing the growth of bacteria. Thus, when fluid accumulates, pyelonephritis can easily occur, with the main symptoms being back pain and fever. If cystitis is also present, the patient will experience symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. Hydronephrosis may be caused by issues such as urinary system stones or tumors, which can also lead to clinical symptoms like back pain and hematuria.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
56sec home-news-image

Should people with hydronephrosis avoid certain foods?

Although there are many causes leading to hydronephrosis in patients, most hydronephrosis is related to stones, meaning that hydronephrosis occurs in patients due to ureteral kidney stones. Therefore, dietary restrictions are necessary for patients with hydronephrosis in daily life. If the hydronephrosis is caused by calcium oxalate stones, patients should avoid consuming foods that are high in calcium and oxalates, such as nuts, legumes, spinach, and beets. If the hydronephrosis is due to the formation of uric acid stones, patients should also avoid consuming excessive amounts of animal organs, such as pork liver and kidneys, avoid seafood, and try not to drink beer, as these contain a high amount of purines, which can easily lead to stone formation. Additionally, if patients with hydronephrosis also have renal insufficiency, they should follow a low-salt diet and avoid consuming particularly salty foods, including various pickles, etc.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
53sec home-news-image

symptoms of hydronephrosis infection

In cases of hydronephrosis, urinary tract infections are common, and these infections primarily manifest as pyelonephritis. The presence of fluid in the kidneys indicates that urine cannot be excreted smoothly, leading to an obstruction in the urinary tract. Therefore, bacteria can easily multiply in this area because normal urine, if it can be excreted smoothly, also serves to flush the urinary system, preventing the growth of bacteria. Thus, when fluid accumulates, pyelonephritis can easily occur, with the main symptoms being back pain and fever. If cystitis is also present, the patient will experience symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. Hydronephrosis may be caused by issues such as urinary system stones or tumors, which can also lead to clinical symptoms like back pain and hematuria.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
53sec home-news-image

Hydronephrosis should see which department?

Hydronephrosis should be treated at a formal hospital's department of urology. Hydronephrosis is due to some factor causing urinary tract obstruction, potentially seen in urological conditions such as stones, tumors, congenital abnormalities of the ureter, and other causes. These lead to the kidney producing urine that cannot be properly expelled. Dealing with this condition often requires intervention by the urology department, as hydronephrosis typically necessitates surgery. In early stages, patients may need to adopt corresponding methods to address the specific causes. For instance, patients with stones might need extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and open surgery might also be necessary; deformities of the ureter might need corrective surgery. These surgical treatments need to be performed in the urology department.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
1min home-news-image

What is the best treatment for hydronephrosis?

The so-called hydronephrosis often occurs due to some factor blocking the urinary system, causing urine to not be excreted normally. The most common cause is urinary system stones, but it can also be due to issues like tumors or benign prostatic hyperplasia. The treatment for stones depends on the size of the stone. Stones smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter can often pass naturally. If the stone is 7 to 15 millimeters in diameter, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is typically used. If stones in the lower mid-ureter do not respond well to medication, retrograde removal under cystoscopy can also be performed. For some patients who have had a long-standing obstruction, renal function may already be impaired. If the obstruction cannot be relieved, surgeries such as creating a urinary diversion can be performed. This includes procedures like bladder fistulation, pyelostomy, or percutaneous ureterostomy, among others.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
56sec home-news-image

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.