Swollen kidneys or known as hydronephrosis is a condition where there is a buildup of urine in one or both kidneys. This condition can occur because urine cannot be drained into the bladder.
Basically, the kidneys work by filtering metabolic waste and toxins from the blood, then throw them away with the rest of the body fluids in the form of urine. Urine will be flowed through the ureter to the bladder which is then collected until you urinate. However, this process can be interrupted if a blockage occurs in the ureteral tract. This blockage is what makes urine can not come out or even go back up to the kidneys. So that the kidneys become filled with urine and eventually experience swelling.
Swollen kidneys can usually occur in one kidney or even both kidneys. This swollen kidney condition does not only occur in adults, but also infants. In infants, this condition can even be seen from before the baby is born through an ultrasound examination.
Swollen kidneys don't always show symptoms. Symptoms that may appear in patients with mild hydronephrosis are increased desire to urinate and frequent urination. If this condition is left then the symptoms will get worse, can even be accompanied by urine can not be excreted entirely, weak urine flow, vomiting, nausea, fever, pain in the back, pelvis or stomach, pain when urinating, and there is blood in the urine.
Recognize the Causes of Swollen Kidney
The cause of swollen kidneys can be different in each person and age. For example, swollen kidneys that occur in adults are generally caused by kidney stone disease. Stones formed in the kidneys can flow along with the urine and clog the ureters. In addition, swollen kidneys in adults can also be caused by certain conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) enlargement, ureteral constriction, infection or cancer in the urinary system, pregnancy, and nerve damage that controls the work of the bladder.
Meanwhile, swollen kidneys that occur in unborn babies, until now still can not be known with certainty the cause. However, it is suspected that at the end of pregnancy, the baby produces more urine which causes the kidneys to become swollen. In addition, swollen kidneys in infants can also be caused by vesicoureteral reflux, which is a condition where the valve that controls urine flow from the ureter to the bladder does not function. This condition can also cause urine to flow back to the kidneys.
Find Out How To Overcome Swollen Kidney
Treatment for swollen kidneys is generally different for each person. This depends on the age, severity, and causes of swollen kidney. To determine the cause of swollen kidney, a physical examination by a doctor and other supporting examinations such as urine analysis, blood tests to assess kidney function, kidney ultrasound, or a special X-ray of the urinary tract are called cystouretrography.
In adults who suffer from severe swollen kidneys, urine catheterization procedures are often needed as an initial treatment. This procedure is carried out to expel urine in the kidneys, so as to prevent further kidney damage. Not only that, the urine catheterization procedure is also able to reduce the pain that occurs due to kidney swelling.
After the urine catheterization procedure is performed, the doctor will treat the cause of the swollen kidney based on the cause, such as:
- Install a small tube (stent) in patients who experience narrowing of the ureter.
- Performing surgical removal of stones in patients with kidney stone disease.
- Perform prostate removal surgery in patients with prostate swelling.
- Providing radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients in the urinary tract.
- Giving antibiotics to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections due to urine that is difficult to remove.
Swollen kidneys that occur due to pregnancy, usually do not require special treatment, because this condition will improve within a few weeks after giving birth.
While in infants, this condition will usually improve with the baby's age. However, swollen kidneys in infants still need to get a complete examination and regular monitoring from a doctor. Surgical steps can be an option if the kidney is swollen in infants caused by congenital abnormalities born in the urinary tract.
Swollen kidney is a dangerous condition for the health of the body. Therefore, take care of your kidneys by living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining blood pressure within normal limits, stopping smoking, avoiding the consumption of alcoholic beverages, fulfilling fluid intake, consuming healthy food, and maintaining ideal body weight. If you experience symptoms related to kidney disease, see your doctor immediately.
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