How long will it take for hydronephrosis to be damaged if it is not treated?

If hydronephrosis is not treated for a long time, it may lead to renal impairment or even irreversible renal failure within weeks to months. The specific time depends on the severity of the hydronephrosis, the cause and the individual's physical condition. If you have persistent low back pain, hematuria, fever and other symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause to avoid delaying treatment.

1Main causes of hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis is caused by obstruction of urine drainage, which leads to dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces. Causes include:

Urinary tract obstruction: such as kidney stones, ureteral stenosis, tumors, etc. Stones are a common factor, and large stones may completely block the urethra, causing severe water accumulation.

Infectious factors: Repeated urinary tract infections can cause inflammation and scarring of tissues, affecting the flow of urine.

Congenital abnormalities: Some people are born with abnormal development of the urinary tract, which may lead to urination dysfunction and thus cause water accumulation.

External compression: For example, compression of the ureters by abdominal and pelvic tumors or the uterus during pregnancy may also cause hydronephrosis.

2 The harm of hydronephrosis to kidneys

Long-term hydronephrosis will increase the pressure on the kidneys and gradually reduce renal function. If the hydronephrosis is severe or lasts too long, it may lead to irreversible renal failure. Some patients only have mild discomfort in the early stages of hydronephrosis, but as the disease progresses, they may experience obvious back pain, fever indicating infection, and hematuria. Symptoms of impaired renal function may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, edema, etc.

3 Treatments for hydronephrosis

Treatment is directed at the cause; the following may be helpful:

Drug treatment: For infectious factors, antibiotics such as amoxicillin and quinolones can be used to control infection. For patients with chronic obstruction, alpha-receptor blockers such as tamsulosin may be used to help relieve urination problems.

Surgical treatment: When the kidney stones are large, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy or ureteroscopic minimally invasive lithotripsy can be chosen to remove the stones; patients with urinary tract stenosis may require ureteral dilation or ureteroplasty.

Drainage surgery: Patients with severe hydrops may need to have a nephrostomy tube or double-J tube placed immediately to drain excess urine and relieve the burden on the kidneys, buying time for further treatment.

4 Prevention and suggestions in daily life

Pay attention to drinking plenty of water, especially to prevent the formation of kidney stones. It is recommended that the daily water intake be maintained at around 2000-2500 ml.

Try to eat a low-salt and low-purine diet, avoid high-protein foods, and develop regular urination habits.

Have regular physical examinations. If you experience any discomfort such as frequent urination, urgency, lower back pain, etc., see a doctor as soon as possible.

Once hydronephrosis is diagnosed, it cannot be ignored. Long-term delay may cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Regardless of the severity of the disease, it is necessary to find the cause in time and receive personalized treatment to protect kidney health and systemic metabolic function.