Swollen kidneys, also known as hydronephrosis, is a condition in which urine builds up in one or both kidneys. This condition occurs because urine cannot flow into the bladder.
Basically, the kidneys work by filtering metabolic wastes and toxins from the blood, then removing them 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 accommodated until you urinate. However, this process can be disrupted if there is a blockage in the ureteral tract. This blockage makes urine unable to come out or even go back up to the kidneys. So that the kidneys become full of urine and eventually experience swelling.
Kidney swelling 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 before the baby is born through ultrasound examination.
Swollen kidneys don't always show symptoms. Symptoms that may appear in people with mild hydronephrosis are an increased urge to urinate and frequent urination. If this condition is left untreated, the symptoms will get worse, it can even be accompanied by urine that cannot be completely excreted, weak urine flow, vomiting, nausea, fever, pain in the back, pelvis or abdomen, pain when urinating, and blood in the urine.
Recognize the Causes of the Kidneys Swollen
Causes of swollen kidneys can be different for each person and age. For example, swollen kidneys that occur in adults are generally caused by kidney stones. Stones that form in the kidneys can go along with the urine and block the ureters. In addition, swollen kidneys in adults can also be caused by certain conditions, such as benign prostate enlargement (Benign prostatic hyperplasia/BPH), ureteral narrowing, infection or cancer in the urinary system, pregnancy, and damage to the nerves that control bladder function.
Meanwhile, swollen kidneys that occur in unborn babies, until now the cause is still unknown. 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, a condition in which the valves that control the flow of urine from the ureters to the bladder do not function. This condition can also cause urine to flow back into the kidneys.
Find Out How To Overcome Swollen Kidneys
Treatment for swollen kidneys is generally different for each person. This depends on your age, severity, and the cause of swollen kidneys. To determine the cause of swollen kidneys, a physical examination by a doctor is needed as well as other supporting examinations such as urine analysis, blood tests to assess kidney function, kidney ultrasound, or special X-rays of the urinary tract called cystourethrography.
In adults who suffer from severe swelling of the kidneys, a urinary catheterization procedure is often required as initial treatment. This procedure is done to excrete urine in the kidneys, thereby preventing further kidney damage. Not only that, the urinary catheterization procedure is also able to reduce the pain that occurs due to kidney swelling.
After the urinary catheterization procedure is performed, the doctor will treat the causes of swollen kidneys based on the cause, such as:
- Installing a small tube (stent) in patients with ureteral narrowing.
- Perform stone removal surgery in patients with kidney stone disease.
- Perform prostate removal surgery in patients with prostate swelling.
- Provide radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients in the urinary tract.
- Give antibiotics to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections because urine is difficult to pass.
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, usually this condition will improve as the baby ages. However, swollen kidneys in infants still need to get a complete examination and regular monitoring from a doctor. Step surgery can be an option if the swollen kidneys in babies are caused by congenital abnormalities in the urinary tract.
Swollen kidneys are 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, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol consumption, fulfilling fluid intake, consuming healthy foods, and maintaining an ideal body weight. If you experience symptoms associated with kidney disease, consult a doctor immediately.