About this topic
The urinary tract is made up of the kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys make urine and it drains down into thin tubes called ureters. These ureters are connected to the bladder. The bladder then squeezes out the urine and it exits the body through the urethra. ‚
Sometimes, the kidneys become swollen and filled with fluid. This is hydronephrosis. The tubes that drain the urine from the kidney to the bladder can also stretch and get wider. This happens because the pathway of fluids in or out of the kidney is blocked or damaged. ‚
Treatment depends on what is causing the block. Your doctor may give you drugs. Your doctor may do procedures to remove stones. You may need to have surgery to remove a block. A tube may need to be placed to drain urine directly from your kidney. ‚
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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.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This will help flush out bad substances that might have formed.
- Put a heating pad on your back or belly to help with pain. Do this for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
- If you had surgery, ask your doctor how to care for your cut sites.
- If you had a procedure to break up stones, talk to your doctor about any special precautions you need to take.
- Learn how to care for any tubes you may be going home with. Ask your doctor how to care for them.
What follow-up care is needed?
- 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.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Remove excess urine
- Break up kidney stones or clots
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
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 your personal diet plan. Ask if there are foods you should avoid.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks that can overwork your urinary tract.
What problems could happen?
- Urinary tract infection
- Kidney failure
- Wound infection
- Bleeding
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Double void. This means that after you empty your bladder, you wait a moment and try to go again. Do not strain or push to empty.
- Avoid delaying passing urine when you already feel the urge.
- Avoid stopping your urine midway.
- Avoid drugs that can worsen your problems with passing urine.
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
- Health problem is not better 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 what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, pain in my back or side that will not go away, no urine or changes to my urine, or swelling.
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hydronephrosis/Pages/Introduction.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. ‚