Causes of hydronephrosis

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on September 09, 2024

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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.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

50sec

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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 Li Liu Sheng

Nephrology

1min 12sec

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How is hydronephrosis detected?

The kidneys have a very strong compensatory ability. In the early stages of hydronephrosis, the amount of fluid may not be large, or the duration may not be long, and usually, the patient may have no symptoms. Hydronephrosis is often discovered during health examinations or through ultrasound or CT scans performed during hospital stays. Of course, if the hydronephrosis persists for too long and the volume is very large, the patient can gradually feel discomfort or a distended sensation in the lower back or upper abdomen. Moreover, if the hydronephrosis is caused by kidney stones, the patient often experiences severe back pain, and there might even be visible blood in the urine. Hydronephrosis can also lead to symptoms of urinary tract infections such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. Prolonged hydronephrosis can lead to a decline in kidney function, resulting in symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, and poor overall health. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to undergo regular ultrasound examinations of the kidneys to detect hydronephrosis early.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng

Nephrology

58sec

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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 Zhou Qi

Nephrology

57sec

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Can people with hydronephrosis drink water?

Whether patients with hydronephrosis can drink water depends on whether the hydronephrosis has been resolved. Hydronephrosis occurs due to a blockage in the urinary system, often caused by inflammation, scarring, or adhesions of the ureters, or by obstructions such as stones or tumors in the urinary tract, or possibly by an enlarged prostate, leading to the inability of the bladder to properly expel urine. In summary, when the urine produced by the kidneys cannot be properly expelled from the body, it leads to the expansion of the renal pelvis and calyces, known as hydronephrosis. Drinking water at this time can certainly aggravate the condition of hydronephrosis if the body is already struggling to expel fluids. Therefore, if this blockage remains unresolved, patients should limit their intake of fluids. However, if the obstruction is cleared and the urinary tract is smooth, allowing urine to be expelled normally, drinking water is permissible.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

41sec

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How is hydronephrosis diagnosed?

Strictly speaking, hydronephrosis cannot be considered an independent disease; it is merely a descriptive term in imaging, and is the result of many causes and various etiologies. It occurs because urine produced by the kidneys cannot smoothly pass through the ureters and bladder to be excreted from the body, leading to fluid accumulation in the renal pelvis and calyces. This may be caused by prostate enlargement, tumors in the urinary system, urinary system stones, or chronic inflammation and scarring of the ureters. Generally, hydronephrosis can be detected through imaging techniques, including urinary system ultrasound or CT, which can confirm the diagnosis.