symptoms of hydronephrosis infection

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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Is hydronephrosis of both kidneys serious?

Clinically, bilateral hydronephrosis is serious, as it can lead to expansion of the renal pelvis. Long-term bilateral hydronephrosis can compress the renal parenchyma, leading to the development of chronic obstructive nephropathy, and thus cause chronic renal failure. Additionally, because urine cannot be expelled from the body in a timely manner in bilateral hydronephrosis, it is easy to combine with bacterial infections, which can lead to acute pyelonephritis. Patients may experience chills, fever, and severe back pain, as well as hematuria and general fatigue. Therefore, it is essential to identify the cause of bilateral hydronephrosis and treat it based on the nature of the hydronephrosis. Usually, the causes of bilateral hydronephrosis are related to stones, but tumorous diseases, bladder stones, or urethral strictures are also common causes.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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Does hydronephrosis cause kidney pain?

Whether hydronephrosis causes kidney pain depends on the cause of the hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis can be caused by ureteral stones. When the stone gets stuck in the ureter, it can prevent the urine produced by the kidneys from being expelled, thus causing hydronephrosis. This situation generally presents as pain in the kidney area, discomfort due to swelling in the lower back, and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. If the stone scratches the wall of the ureter, there may also be blood in the urine. Moreover, hydronephrosis can also be caused by other diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Due to the compression of the urethra by benign prostatic hyperplasia causing the urethra to narrow, bilateral kidney hydronephrosis may also occur. This situation generally does not involve pain in the kidney area. The main symptoms presented by the patient include discomfort due to excessive filling of urine in the bladder, leading to discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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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.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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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.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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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.