About this topic
Your urinary tract is made up of 2 kidneys, 2 ureters, your bladder, and your urethra. When urine is made by your kidney, it drains down into tubes called ureters. These ureters are connected to your bladder. Your bladder stores urine. When your bladder is full, it squeezes your urine out into the urethra and you pass the urine out of your body. ‚
Urinary obstruction is a health problem where the flow of urine is blocked. A blockage can happen at any part of your urinary tract. This will make the urine go back to your bladder or one or both of the kidneys. This can cause injury to your bladder or your kidneys. You can have a block on just one side or on both sides. The problem can be sudden or long term. The block can be complete and stop any flow of urine coming out. The block may be partial, where some urine is let out, but the flow of urine is not normal. ‚
Treatment depends on what is blocking your urinary tract. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may tell you to watch your fluid intake. You may be asked to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. This may help you pass any stones or get rid of any chemicals in your body.
- You may have bright red blood in your urine for the first 24 hours after a biopsy or surgery.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor may send you to a kidney specialist. This kind of doctor is a urologist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Help flush out kidney stones
- Control your blood pressure
- Get rid of extra fluid in your body
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Talk to your doctor or dietitian about a personal diet plan. Ask if there are foods you should avoid.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine. They can make your kidneys work harder.
- Eat healthy foods that are low in salt and sugar.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Kidneys not working well
- Kidney failure
- High blood pressure
- Urine leaking
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses or water each day. Your doctor may tell you to drink more. This will help keep your urine less concentrated. It also lowers your chance for kidney stones. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Very bad pain in your back or side that will not go away
- Throwing up
- Urine that smells bad, looks cloudy, or has blood in it
- No urine for more than 6 hours
- Very bad pain in your chest, shoulder, or belly
- More swelling of your ankles, legs, and hands or tightness with your shoes or rings
- Swelling of your stomach
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you if my doctor wants me to watch how much fluids I am taking in.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, trouble passing urine, or pain in my back or side.
Where can I learn more?
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/newborns/index.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚