Is hydronephrosis serious? What causes it?

Hydronephrosis can be serious and can lead to impaired kidney function or even permanent damage. Its main causes include urinary tract obstruction, congenital malformations, infection, stones, etc.

Hydronephrosis is a pathological condition in which the renal pelvis is dilated due to the inability to discharge urine normally. Urinary tract obstruction is the most common cause, including prostate hyperplasia, ureteral stenosis or tumor compression; congenital malformations such as abnormal ureteral development can cause illness in young children; infection can cause inflammatory urinary tract stenosis, which hinders urine flow; urinary stones blocking the urinary tract can also directly lead to hydronephrosis. Pregnant women may also develop physiological hydronephrosis due to compression of the ureter by the enlarged uterus. When hydronephrosis is not relieved for a long time, the kidney tissue will gradually atrophy due to pressure, eventually causing irreversible renal failure.

If hydronephrosis is discovered, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The following methods can be used to solve the problem: In mild cases, you can try drug treatment, such as oral alpha-receptor blockers to relieve obstruction; if stones are present, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy are effective methods; for severe obstruction or congenital abnormalities, surgical treatment can be considered, such as ureteroplasty or nephrostomy. In daily life, drinking more water can help prevent stone formation; avoiding holding urine can effectively reduce the risk of urinary tract infection; regular physical examinations, especially for high-risk groups, such as those with a history of urinary stones, should pay more attention to monitoring kidney health.