Bilateral hydronephrosis develops when the kidneys become abnormally and bilaterally enlarged due to urinary flow being hindered in the excretory system. Hence, as a result, obstruction in urinary drainage occurs from the area at the center of kidney (renal pelvis), along the narrow tube known as ureter and into the urinary bladder. Bilateral hydronephrosis isn’t a condition or sickness by itself, however, a physical outcome of some underlying condition that is thwarting urine drainage out of the urinary tract.

Treatment And Symptoms For Bilateral Hydronephrosis

Symptoms

Symptoms of Bilateral hydronephrosis differ and depend on the extent of hindrance and duration of the underlying condition which is causing it.

Urination Problems

Signs and symptoms of bilateral hydronephrosis are related to passing of urine. At times, the person suffers from urinary hesitancy wherein he/she isn’t able to start or maintain urine flow. Moreover, urine passed could be unrestrained and not regular in nature. When the left and right ureters are affected then abnormally small quantities of urine are produced (oliguria) or inability to urinate more than fifty milliliters during the day (anuria) is experienced.

Severe Leg Edema

The lower legs appear swollen due to abnormally large fluid accrual in that region of the body that makes the skin appear glossy and stretched out.

Wide-Ranging Pains

Sharp-shooting pains might be experienced due to the condition, however, it could additionally arise slowly and sans any symptoms. When the urinary structures get distended then pains are felt usually in the area flanked by the hip and ribs on both sides.

Photo Credit : Fvn.name.vn/forum/showthread.php?965-10-ch%E1%BA%A5n-th%C6%B0%C6%A1ng-th%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng-g%E1%BA%B7p-khi-luy%E1%BB%87n-t%E1%BA%ADp

The nature of pains might be acute, persistent or sporadic in nature. Pains felt in the abdomen are either centrally located or widespread. Gripping pains are felt intermittently and with such intensity that it makes the individual squirm in pain.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Whenever there is obstruction in free flow of any fluids in the body then infection is foreseeable. Urinary tract infections surface repeatedly with typically experienced pains in the side section of the body, back and the frontal part of the body in between the legs, fever, chilly feeling, sweating and general discomforting sensations are cited.

Also, one senses pain and burning sensation when urine is passed which has a cloudy appearance. Among newly born babies any urinary infection is suspected to be some form of obstruction issue in their kidneys. Older kids with bilateral hydronephrosis experience recurrent urinary tract infections.

Non-Specific Symptoms

The person may feel weak, uneasy and queasy. When electrolytic irregularities develop due to the kidneys being incapable of regulating minerals then spasmodic sensations in the muscles and cardiac rhythm irregularities are experienced. When the junction where the ureter joins the kidney is blocked then the person may feel nauseous and vomit along with pains experienced.

Treatment Options

The physician passes a fine, pliable tube (generally made of latex) known as the Foley catheter via the urethra into the urinary bladder of the patient which works as a conduit for urine drainage from it. An operative method nephrostomy is performed wherein an artificially created aperture between the skin and kidney is made to directly divert urine from upper portion of the pyelum.

At times, placement of a fine tubular structure known as the ureteric stent is done for preventing or treating any hindrance in urinary passage from kidneys. No sooner has blockage been resolved then the underlying reason like prostate problems, tumors, bladder or kidney stones, ureteral strictures or other condition is diagnosed and treated accordingly.

During gestation, muscle and uterine alterations prevent regular flow of urine which too can cause bilateral hydronephrosis. In several cases, corrective therapy isn’t required since it self subsides after delivery. Such women are advised not to exert pressure on the affected region or stents are deployed to relieve pain.

Ultrasonography of the fetus helps detect bilateral obstruction and operation is conducted while in-vitro or soon following delivery to bring about improvement in kidney functioning. Newly born babies that are identified with the condition while in-vitro are promptly offered operative rectification of the defect, oftentimes with favourable outcomes.

Photo Credit : Hngb120.com/ganai/3056.html