Symptoms Of Hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis is a condition where the kidney has become swollen due to urine build up in the bladder. Urine can build up due to a blockage exiting the bladder or from reverse flowing from the bladder, or reflux. This can occur in one or even both kidneys and often is caused by an underlying condition. Cancers such as bladder, cervical, and prostate can all block the correct flow of urine out of the body. Other causes include kidney stones, blood clots, scar tissue, and an enlarged prostate. Hydronephrosis is treated by correcting the underlying issues. If left untreated, this condition can advance to kidney failure requiring dialysis or even a kidney transplant. Symptoms of hydronephrosis are covered in detail over the following slides.

Flank Pain

Flank pain is located along the sides and back of the body where the kidneys lie. Sometimes, there is no flank pain with hydronephrosis. Pain can vary widely in intensity depending on the severity of the condition and will be felt on the side of the body of the affected kidney. If both kidneys are affected, pain can encompass the entire abdominal area. Often, flank pain due to hydronephrosis on the right side of the body is mistaken for appendicitis, while left-side pain is mistaken for acute diverticulitis. The difference with flank pain caused by hydronephrosis is it usually migrates to the abdomen or groin area. Visiting a medical professional is essential to determine the cause of the pain for proper treatment.

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Problems With Urination

Hydronephrosis causes problems with urination, including incomplete evacuation, incontinence, or pain while urinating. The inability to empty the bladder directly causes a back up of urine in the bladder and reflux of urine into the kidney. Incontinence means the individual cannot control the leakage of urine from the bladder. This can be exacerbated by strenuous exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or typical daily activities. Pads can be worn to prevent bladder leakage from coming through the clothes. Another problem with urinating includes pain while voiding the bladder, which can sometimes mimic a urinary tract infection. Without proper voiding of the bladder, individuals may always feel the need to use the toilet, which can interrupt sleep and daily tasks.

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Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting, also symptoms of hydronephrosis, can quickly lead to dehydration. It is crucial to seek medical attention if nausea and vomiting accompany a fever, side and back pain, and problems urinating. All these symptoms together point to hydronephrosis. Nausea is the feeling in the stomach and throat of impending vomit. Uneasy and sometimes painful, nausea can sometimes be treated with positional changes or antiemetics. Vomiting is the expulsion of what's in the stomach through the mouth. Once the individual can hold down liquids, it is important to replenish lost electrolytes and rehydrate with electrolyte-enhanced water or sports drinks.

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Fever

A fever is often the sign of a body trying to fight off infection. This is also a major symptom of hydronephrosis. The body naturally raises its core temperature to provide a hostile environment to foreign bacteria. This helps kill off the infecting agent so the body can return to its healthy state. Depending on individual activity levels and the time of the day, the average body temperature is between ninety-seven and ninety-nine degrees Fahrenheit. Low-grade fevers below 103 degrees Fahrenheit generally do not require a visit to a doctor unless a child is under three months old. Older children may not even act sick while adults will most likely feel the effects of it. Treatment, in these cases, requires rest and fluids.

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Failure To Thrive

Failure to thrive is seen in infants with hydronephrosis. Infants who have been diagnosed with this condition usually have a congenital malformation that causes urine to back up in the kidneys. They can also have kidney stones or cysts that are causing hydronephrosis. Often, babies can be diagnosed while still in the womb. Failure to thrive, also called faltering weight, is what it is called when infants display insufficient weight gain or lose weight. Infants who have been diagnosed with hydronephrosis are unable to grow physically and develop normally. Doctors can treat infantile hydronephrosis with neonatal surgery if the case is severe, or they can wait and see if the condition improves on its own.