The swollen kidney, also popularly known as enlarged kidney and scientifically known as Hydronephrosis, happens when there is an obstruction in the ureter, which is a channel that conducts urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Thus, urine is retained in the kidneys, leading to swelling, which can be perceived through some symptoms such as lower back pain, pain and difficulty urinating, nausea, urinary incontinence and fever.
The swelling of the kidneys happens mainly due to obstruction in the ureter that can happen due to the presence of tumors, kidney stones, the presence of clots or due to malformations of the urinary system, becoming known as congenital hydronephrosis. Learn more about hydronephrosis.
Swollen kidney symptoms
In most cases of kidney swelling, no signs or symptoms are seen, however when they do appear they vary according to the cause, duration and location of the obstruction. The most common symptom is lower back pain, also known as kidney pain, which can radiate to the groin when the cause is obstruction due to kidney stones, for example. Other symptoms are:
- Fever; Chills; Pain and difficulty urinating; Low back or kidney pain; Decreased urine volume; Urine with bright red blood or pink urine; Nausea and vomiting; Loss of appetite.
The diagnosis of the dilated kidney is made by the nephrologist, who usually requests imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance to assess not only the kidney, but the entire urinary system. In addition, urine and blood tests are usually ordered to check for changes in the urinary system.
The doctor can also perform a cauterization of the bladder, which is a procedure in which a thin tube is inserted through the urethra in order to drain the urine. If too much urine can drain, the kidney is swollen.
Main causes
The kidney obstruction that leads to swelling in these organs may be due to the presence of tumors, kidney or ureter stones, clots and constipation. In addition, in men the enlarged kidney may happen due to an enlarged prostate.
It is also common for women's kidneys to become swollen during pregnancy, because the growth of the fetus inside the uterus can put pressure on the urinary system and thus prevent the passage of urine, which ends up accumulating in the kidneys. Urinary infections can also cause the kidneys to swell as they can impair the functioning of the ureter.
In some cases, kidney swelling may be present from birth, due to malformation of the urinary system and, therefore, renal swelling is said to be congenital.
Treatment for swollen kidney
The treatment for swollen kidney will depend on its cause, but it can be done with drugs prescribed by the nephrologist or urologist to relieve symptoms or prevent infections that are common when the kidney is enlarged. In addition, in some cases, minor surgery may be indicated to remove accumulated urine and use of a urinary catheter after the procedure.
