How does hydronephrosis affect the body?

Hydronephrosis is a condition of the urinary tract where one or both kidneys swell. This happens because urine does not fully empty from the body. Symptoms may include sudden or intense pain in the back or side, vomiting, painful urination, blood in the urine, weakness and fever due to a urinary tract infection.

What does kidney atrophy mean?

Kidney atrophy means that the kidney is smaller than normal. This can happen for two basic reasons. The first is that part of the kidney does not develop from birth (called a congenital problem) making a small kidney. This type of kidney atrophy or small kidney usually does not need any special treatment.

What is the main cause of hydronephrosis?

Hydronephrosis is usually caused by a blockage in the urinary tract or something disrupting the normal workings of the urinary tract. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, the bladder, the ureters (the tubes that run from the kidney to the bladder) and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).

What are the complications of hydronephrosis?

Complications. The most common complication of hydronephrosis is the development of a urinary tract infection (UTI). When the UTI is associated with a high fever, a kidney infection is (pyelonephritis) is suspected. This is caused by bacteria spreading from the bladder to the kidney and invading the kidney tissue.

Can renal atrophy be reversed?

Once a kidney has “shriveled” or atrophied, there is nothing that can be done to recover from that atrophy. There is no diet or exercise that will reverse this condition.

Is renal atrophy life threatening?

It’s a serious problem if your kidneys are functioning below 25 percent. For people on dialysis, the average life expectancy is 5 to 10 years, but some may live as long as 30 more years.

Should I worry about hydronephrosis?

Hydronephrosis is often caused by a serious condition of the kidney or urinary tract, such as kidney stones. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of the following symptoms: Blood clots in urine or bloody urine (hematuria)

Does hydronephrosis go away?

Although surgery is sometimes needed, hydronephrosis often resolves on its own. Mild to moderate hydronephrosis. Your doctor may opt for a wait-and-see approach to see if you get better on your own. Even so, your doctor may recommend preventive antibiotic therapy to lower the risk of urinary tract infections.

What happens if hydronephrosis is not treated?

Left untreated, severe hydronephrosis can lead to permanent kidney damage. Rarely, it can cause kidney failure. But hydronephrosis typically affects only one kidney and the other kidney can do the work for both.

What are the signs and symptoms of hydronephrosis?

Symptoms may include sudden or intense pain in the back or side, nausea, vomiting, frequent or painful urination, blood in the urine, weakness or malaise, and fever due to a urinary tract infection.

How is hydronephrosis of the kidneys treated?

Hydronephrosis treatment typically involves resolving the immediate symptoms of the condition and addressing the underlying source of the problem. Draining excess urine from the kidney or treating a urinary tract infection with antibiotics may be the first course of treatment.

What happens if hydronephrosis is left untreated?

Loss of kidney function, UTI, and pain may occur if the condition is left untreated. If hydronephrosis is not treated, the affected kidney may be permanently damaged. Kidney failure is rare if the other kidney is working normally. However, kidney failure will occur if there is only one functioning kidney. UTI and pain may also occur.

Can a urinary tract obstruction cause hydronephrosis?

Any etiology of urinary tract obstruction might result in hydronephrosis (See page) Obstruction of the urinary tract can result in backup of urine into the renal parenchyma.