Hydronephrosis Treatment in Hyderabad
Hydronephrosis is a urinary tract condition that causes swelling of one or both kidneys. The swelling occurs as the urine cannot drain completely from the kidney to the bladder. In most cases, this condition affects only a single kidney, but there are chances that both kidneys can get affected. Hydronephrosis is a secondary condition that occurs due to some underlying disease. If only one kidney is affected, it is called unilateral hydronephrosis. On the other hand, if both kidneys are affected, it is known as bilateral hydronephrosis.
If this condition is not treated on time, it can affect the functioning of your kidneys and even lead to kidney failure. However, there are several options to treat hydronephrosis based on the cause of this condition.
Does Hydronephrosis Show Any Signs?
Hydronephrosis may or may not show any signs based on the underlying cause. But the following are some of the common signs:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Frequent urination
- fever with no obvious cause
- Sudden and severe pain in the back, abdomen, or side
- A fever
- A weak urine streams
- Pain and burning sensation while urinating
- Chills
- Bladder pain
- Cloudy urine
- in children there may be no symptoms as it is identified by Ultrasound scanning during pregnancy and later
If you or your child experience any of the above-mentioned signs, consider visiting a doctor right away for an early diagnosis.
What Causes Hydronephrosis?
People of any age may develop hydronephrosis. It can even develop in an unborn child and is diagnosed during a prenatal ultrasound or it may be diagnosed during infancy. It is called antenatal hydronephrosis. The reason for developing this condition in an unborn child is unknown. It is thought to be due to the excess production of urine by the baby during the stages of pregnancy. In most cases, the kidneys can function well and the condition becomes better without any treatment within a few months of birth.
In general, urine passes from the kidneys into the bladder through the ureter. If there is any blockage in the urinary tract, urine cannot drain from the kidneys and causes hydronephrosis. It occurs due to some underlying causes such as the following:
- Kidney stones
- Cancer
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Blood clots in kidneys or ureter
- Vesicoureteral reflux where the urine flows in the wrong way from the bladder to the kidneys
- Narrowing of the urinary tract
- Enlarged prostate
- Blockage in the urinary tract
- Neurogenic bladder
In women, hydronephrosis can occur due to the following conditions:
- Pregnancy
- Uterine prolapse
- Cystocele
- Ovarian cysts, in very rare cases
How is Hydronephrosis Diagnosed?
It is important to get hydronephrosis at the earliest possible. If not, this condition can cause damage to your kidneys and can even lead to kidney failure. The doctor first begins the diagnosis by checking your overall health status and then asks you about your signs. The doctor may conduct a rectal exam to know if your prostate is enlarged. A pelvic exam will be conducted for women to look for any problems with the uterus and ovaries.
The doctor may conduct a blood test to know about the functioning of your kidneys and to look for any infection. A urine test is also conducted to look for any stones or to know if an infection is causing the blockage. The doctor also conducts imaging tests such as MRI, CT scans to know about the swelling and to locate the blockage area.
Treatment Options for Hydronephrosis
The treatment for hydronephrosis focuses on treating the condition that is obstructing the flow of urine. The treatment also focuses on reducing the swelling and restoring the urine flow from the kidneys. The treatment is based on the underlying cause.
If your condition is mild to moderate, the doctor waits if the condition gets better on its own. At this stage, the doctor also prescribes antibiotics to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. If the condition is caused by a kidney stone, it can sometimes pass itself or it may require surgery to remove it.
If the blockage is severe, excess urine that is built up in the bladder needs to be drained out using a special tube called a nephrostomy.
If the condition becomes severe, this can even damage your kidneys and causes kidney failure. In most cases, the damage is caused to only one kidney and the other kidney can function well. But if both kidneys are damaged and fail to function, then you need to undergo kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation. However, the condition can be fixed in many people if it is treated on time.
If the doctor determines that the baby has hydronephrosis before birth, the doctor conducts other tests to ensure that the kidneys are working well. In most cases, hydronephrosis in babies gets resolved without any treatment. To reduce the risk of urinary tract infections with hydronephrosis, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for the baby. If the condition becomes severe in babies, a surgery called pyeloplasty needs to be performed to clear the blockage. This can be done robotically or laparoscopically. Rarely an open surgery is needed
Meet Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy for an Early Diagnosis of the Condition
If you are looking for an experienced and top paediatric urologist in Hyderabad, then look no further and meet Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy today. He and his team are dedicated to taking care of infants and children with urinary problems. He also treats urinary tract problems that are present at birth. If your child has any signs of urinary tract issues, book your initial consultation today.