Causes of hydronephrosis

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on September 09, 2024

00:00

00:00

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.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

47sec

home-news-image

Does hydronephrosis hurt a lot?

Hydronephrosis does not necessarily cause severe pain. If the hydronephrosis develops suddenly over a short period, it might cause intense pain, most commonly due to urinary system stones blocking the ureter, leading to hydronephrosis. At this time, the ureter may experience spasms, causing severe pain. However, if the hydronephrosis develops gradually, the patient's pain symptoms might not be pronounced. For example, insufficient motility of the ureter or some type of narrowing could lead to the accumulation of fluid. If this condition develops slowly and persists for a long time, the patient might not feel particularly uncomfortable, despite the hydronephrosis, and it may only be discovered incidentally during a physical examination.

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.

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.

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.

home-news-image

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

48sec

home-news-image

What tea to drink for hydronephrosis

Before hydronephrosis is adequately treated and before the obstruction in the urinary system is resolved, in areas such as the renal pelvis and calyces where there is fluid accumulation, it is advised that patients should not drink tea and should try to reduce their fluid intake. This is because the fluids cannot be excreted through the kidneys, and drinking large amounts of water at this time could worsen the obstruction and may also lead to edema. Therefore, patients are advised not to drink tea until the hydronephrosis is resolved. Once the causes of urinary tract obstruction, such as urinary system stones or tumors, have been removed, patients can increase their water intake, but it is still recommended not to drink tea because tea contains considerable amounts of oxalate, which can lead to the recurrence of kidney stones.