What is the cause of hydronephrosis with ureteral stones?

The causes of hydronephrosis with renal and ureteral stones include genetic factors, environmental influences, physiological structural abnormalities, traumatic infection, and pathological diseases. The combined effects of these factors may lead to obstruction of urine excretion, causing hydronephrosis and the formation of stones.

1. Genetic factors

Some people may be more susceptible to kidney and ureteral stones due to family heredity, which is related to genetic differences in mineral balance in the body. For example, in patients with hyperuricemia or hypercalciuria, genetic genes may cause the body to excrete too much calcium, oxalate, or uric acid in the urine, resulting in the formation of stones. Certain hereditary diseases, such as cystinuria, also increase the risk of kidney stones.

2 Environmental factors

Lifestyle and eating habits have a significant impact on this disease. A diet high in salt, oxalate, and protein can promote the formation of stones. Long-term drinking of hard water or not paying attention to the amount of water you drink, which leads to concentrated urine, can also lead to stone formation. People who work in certain high-temperature environments, if they sweat too much but do not drink enough water, have a more concentrated urine, which may also increase the risk of the disease.

3 Abnormal physiological structure

Congenital abnormalities of kidney or ureter development, such as ureteral stenosis and renal pelvic dilatation, can easily lead to hydronephrosis due to obstruction of renal function and urine excretion. In this case, urine cannot flow out normally and stays in the renal pelvis and calyces, increasing pressure and thus increasing the risk of stone formation and hydronephrosis.

4. Trauma or infection

Trauma to the kidney or ureter may lead to urinary tract adhesion or obstruction, while infection can easily increase the concentration of bacteria in urine and form infectious stones. Long-term urinary tract infection can also affect urine excretion function and increase the risk of hydronephrosis.

5 Pathological diseases

Certain systemic diseases can cause hydronephrosis with ureteral stones, such as diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, and hyperuricemia. These diseases can change the composition of urine or the state of urinary tract circulation, increasing the chance of stone formation. Cancer or abdominal tumors compressing the ureter may also cause hydronephrosis.

Treatment requires a specific plan based on the cause. If it is caused by genetics, it is necessary to cooperate with dietary regulation and drug treatment, such as potassium citrate for alkalinizing urine and allopurinol for lowering uric acid levels; if it is caused by infection, antibiotic treatment is required; for those with severe ureteral obstruction, minimally invasive surgery can be chosen, such as transurethral ureteroscopic lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or laparoscopic surgery. In daily life, it is recommended to drink more water to reduce urine concentration. For patients who already have stones, the condition can be improved by adjusting the diet, such as reducing high-oxalate foods such as spinach and nuts.

Timely identification of the cause of hydronephrosis with nephroureteral stones and early targeted treatment can effectively reduce the risk of renal damage. It is particularly important to develop a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical examinations can help detect potential problems early and avoid disease deterioration.