Hydronephrosis means one or both of your kidneys is swollen because of the backup of urine. It is not a disease, but the result of some other health condition.
The two basic causes of hydronephrosis are an obstruction to the free flow of urine or urine flows backwards due to a disruption in the normal function of your bladder. Some conditions that could be causing your swollen kidney are:
- blood clot
- kidney stones
- cancer ~ bladder, cervical
- ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- ureter compression during pregnancy
- blocked, narrowed ureters ~ congenital defect
- abnormal bladder muscle contraction ~ neurological or muscular disorder
- backflow of urine (vesicoureteral reflux) ~ enlarged prostate, impacted feces
For some, when their kidney swelling is only on one side it does cause symptoms. For those that do have symptoms, they can include:
- fever
- dysuria
- nausea, vomiting
- feel mass in abdomen
- intense or dull flank pain
- frequent, urgent urination
Urine stagnation because of a free flow disruption commonly results in urinary tract, bladder or kidney infections, which can cause abnormal color to your urine symptom because of hematuria or pus.
Over time, complete urine obstruction can lead to kidney failure because the pressure from swelling can damage delicate tissue of its filtration system. Thus, treating chronic hydronephrosis is vital to prevent this kidney damage. Treatment depends on what’s causing your swollen kidney or kidneys.