What does hydronephrosis feel like?

Hydronephrosis is a medical condition that can occur in both adults and children. It is characterized by the swelling of one or both kidneys due to urine not draining properly from the kidney to the bladder. In severe cases, hydronephrosis may require surgery for treatment.

In this article, we will discuss what it feels like to have hydronephrosis and how you can recognize its symptoms. So buckle up your seat belt as we take a humorous approach towards understanding hydronephrosis!

The Basics of Hydronephrosis

Before we dive into what having hydronephrosis feels like, let’s first understand what this urinary system problem entails.

Understanding Urine Flow

When our body processes food and drinks, it produces waste products in the form of urine which are eliminated via urination through our bladder. The journey of urine:

  • starts in on kidneys
  • They act similar to filters
  • Pass out water and other filtrates

After being processed by both kidneys, urine produced flows down two tubes called ureters that connect each kidney bowl (also known as renal pelvis) with one’s bladder where waste stays until eliminated.

However when something blocks these wee paths they send back pressure signals onto kidney causing them to swell up leading to gradual damage over time ((SAD FACE)) This obstruction causes backs up all necessary fluids leading a growths inside blocked area AKA swollen kidney(s). For those playing at home “hydro-” merely means water thus hydronophosis would mean “water-in-kidney-swelling”. Because who doesn’t love medical terms??

Causes of Hydronephrosis

There are various factors that could lead someone experiencing trouble peeing/pain:

  • Kidney stone blocking detective pikachu brow furrow
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia {aka enlarged prostate} hard to go, we’ve all heard jokes
  • Stricture of the ureter narrow road up ahead
  • Tumors around or on bladder and/or kidneys {screaming internally but smiling through pain}
  • Pregnancy {(un)fortunate…your choice how you interpret it}

Now that we have a basic idea about hydronephrosis lets dig down into what it feels like.

Recognizing Symptoms

There are several symptoms and signs to look for if you suspect yourself having this issue. Early recognition can help reduce the damage possible from prolonged swellings, making treatment easier!

Pain

The top-most sign is intense back and or loin areas. How would you know? This particular pain tends to be unilateral (the doc said “ONE SIDE”) where only one side starts hurting making your life miserable by constantly getting in your way unable sit straight without groaning; legs stretched while stretching yourselves dragging selves out of bed’s embrace in hopes that standing upright relieves some pressure off ~~urinary tract~~ the hapless kidney .

Changes in Urine

Similar (& also equally important) symptom is change(s) noticed during urination: color changes & difficulty starting/stopping suddenly:
– Lack thereof urine production 🙁
– Blood/foul smell appearance apocalyptic
– Increased urge with irritation burning feeling(feeling irritated yet?)

When pee burns like there’s no tomorrow it might mean incorrect alignment happened somewhere between muscles who should/could control loosening valve gates. Inability properly stop/restart these play-doh cutters will lead spilling over this lovely fluid otherwise known as niagara fFalls v^(^_^ )v

Nausea and Vomitingare linked due to increase pressure sensor brain signals stating “there’s something here I don’t want”.

Additionally swelling could cause loss appetite along with throwing up. Trying to “leave it all in the restroom” but not really sure which end to point towards toilet can lead (even further) complications like severe dehydration hence loss of vitamins/minerals needed.

Fever

Hydronephrosis could also be responsbile for spiked up fevers if caused due to kidney infections [insert laughing so hard crying emoji here]

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Hydronephrosis:

A doctor overall will suggest a series tests based on combination symptoms/results {find bullet list below} thus enabling them confirmation what exactly is clogging pipes leading kidneys ending up ballooning in size/not functioning right ;(

Here’s what you might expect from medical professional:

  1. A physical exam,(ironically enough this part is completely unrelated to the actual site)
  2. Urinalysis (Psst, your eyeballs don’t work as lab gloves)
  3. Blood tests gotta know what it’s made off
  4. Ultrasound imaging scanlets this soundless buzzing take photos
    5.Urodynamic studies(IS THAT NEW UAV? – no that’s even more instruments/onion sensors inside nether regions measuring flow)

Once diagnosed then fixing blockage issue at source would likely depend upon testing results/doctor recommendation possible options depending upon severity:
– Removing/repositioning UNLADILY sized stones/dumb obstructions preventing fluid transmission.
– Antibiotics prescribed reducing inflammation/symptomatic pain management ({basketball commentator Mike__byers Voice}) Bank shots are preferable.
– Surgery may be last resort potentially minimally invasive extraction or laser stone busting bits {Slow clap}.

That being said early awareness and diagnosis, quick response times increase success rate treatment both non-invasive and surgical(depending blockage). Recovery should only take few days with less drastic procedure while bigger ones need extra TLC post-op care,

In conclusion hydronephritis can’t only hurt your insides but also your sanity especially if you are dealing with unquenchable thirst, nausea, vomiting and other terrible symptoms. It’s a good idea to consult medical help asap if you have any indication of illness lets say within week just to ensure ahead-of-time prevention rather than waiting for it to get larger without knowing the risks involved.

Whatever was bugging me got fixed fast…I hope someone else is in need of writing humorously about hydronephrosis because this is fun!

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