Hydronephrosis Research Paper

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Hydronephrosis
“Hydronephrosis is the swelling of a kidney due to buildup of urine. This happens when the kidney cannot drain urine from kidney to bladder because of a blockage or obstruction”. It is not a disease and can affect people of any age. Hydronephrosis is sometimes spotted in unborn babies during routine pregnancy ultrasound scan. Treatment depends on the severity and condition of the kidney. Swelling can occur in one or both kidneys.
http://www.medfriendly.com/hydronephrosis.html
• It is estimated that one in 100 people have hydronephrosis affecting one kidney.
• Less people have hydronephrosis affecting both kidneys.
• In approximately 2% of all ultrasounds …show more content…

When the body is ready to remove these fluids (urine) is first collected in a small part of the kidney (renal pelvis) additional to the kidneys the urinary tract consists of two ureters, the bladder and the urethra. After the urine collected empties the renal pelvis, urine then goes down the ureter tube down to the bladder and out the urethra. However, if there is blockage in the ureter wall such as an obstruction and or kidney stone it may cause the urine to go back up into the kidney and causing the swelling of the kidney (Hydronephrosis). Other causes of blockage may …show more content…

• A blockage of the outflow of urine or reverse flow or urine already in the bladder (called reflux) can cause the renal pelvis to become enlarged.
• A blockage of the urethra can affect emptying of the bladder, causing the pressure in the bladder to be greater. This places extra pressure on the renal pelvis in both kidneys and on the ureters, which can dilate.
• Two ureters can drain a single kidney. In some cases, the connections can be abnormal and hydronephrosis or reflux can be a problem.



Symptoms
Adults with hydronephrosis experience symptoms, in other cases, there may be no symptoms at all, newborns and infants with hydronephrosis usually show few to no symptoms. Some of those symptoms may include:
In adults:
• Increased urinary urgency
• Painful urination
• Urinary tract infection
• Fever
• Abdominal mass
• Flank

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