What can I eat to get rid of the water in hydronephrosis?

Hydronephrosis cannot be eliminated simply by diet. Targeted treatment should be taken under the guidance of a doctor after the cause is identified. Auxiliary dietary conditioning can reduce the burden on the kidneys and promote diuresis appropriately, but it cannot replace medical intervention.

1 Causes of hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis is a dilatation of the renal pelvis due to obstruction of urine excretion. Common causes include genetic factors, congenital urinary tract developmental abnormalities, environmental or external factors such as urinary tract infection, stones, physiological or endogenous diseases such as prostate hyperplasia, tumor compression, etc. Identifying the cause is the first step in treatment.

2 Medical treatment methods

Depending on the cause, the following treatments may be used to relieve the urinary tract obstruction and reduce or eliminate the fluid accumulation:

Drug treatment: If caused by infection, antibiotics such as levofloxacin and amoxicillin can be used; if the stones are small, drugs such as stone-removing granules can be used to assist in stone removal.

Surgical intervention: Extracorporeal lithotripsy can be performed for larger urinary stones; laparoscopic or open surgery may be required for tumor compression; transurethral prostatectomy can be performed for prostatic hyperplasia.

Drainage: Severe fluid accumulation may require drainage via a nephrostomy or catheter to relieve pressure and protect kidney function.

3. Dietary assistance

Although diet cannot directly eliminate fluid accumulation, it can support treatment:

Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps dilute urine and reduce the risk of urinary tract infection. The recommended daily water intake is 1500-2000 ml, but those with severe renal impairment should follow the doctor's advice.

Diuretic foods: Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content such as winter melon, watermelon, and cucumber can help promote urine excretion.

Low-salt diet: Reducing salt intake can reduce the burden on the kidneys, especially for patients with high blood pressure.

4 Daily precautions

Avoid holding urine, have regular physical examinations, and seek medical attention in time if you have a urinary tract infection or back pain. If congenital urinary tract malformations cause hydrops, they should be treated as soon as possible to prevent irreversible damage to kidney function.

Hydronephrosis is a disease that requires medical treatment. Diet alone cannot solve the root cause. Once related symptoms are found, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to identify the cause and receive professional treatment. At the same time, you can use diet to help improve kidney function. Health management is inseparable from active prevention and scientific treatment. Please pay attention to physical signals and seek help in time.