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Did We know that about 0% of pregnant women suffer from hydronephrosis in one form or the other? This may seem shocking to you, but that is the result of a series of reports from recent times. If you are an expectant mother, it is time you have developed an awareness of hydronephrosis to stay safe during pregnancy.
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is not a disease. It is a structural condition that typically occurs in one kidney or if chronic, affects both kidneys. The failure of the normal drainage of urine from the kidney to the bladder can cause swelling of the kidneys or both. This condition is commonly referred to hydronephrosis. It may occur because of a normal variant or of an underlying illness.
When swelling affects one kidney, is called unilateral hydronephrosis. While, when both kidneys are affected simultaneously, the disorder is called bilateral hydronephrosis
Maternal hydronephrosis :.
A condition of developing hydronephrosis during pregnancy, due to the presence of the fetus inside the womb, is maternal hydronephrosis. The asymptomatic dilatation of the renal calices, renal pelvis and the upper two thirds of the uterus during pregnancy results in this typical condition.(1)
Also whose hydronephrosis as gestational, it is associated with the common problem of urinary tract infection in pregnant women. Therefore, it is estimated, about 0% of pregnant women suffer from some form of hydronephrosis during pregnancy. The dilatation is often more prominent on the right side of the body (85%) compared to the left side (15%). The ureteral dilation does not occur below the edge of the basin. Existence of hydronephrosis due to a pathological condition worsens prenatal disease. (2)
[Read: kidney infection during pregnancy ]
Symptoms:
Here are some of hydronephrosis during pregnancy symptoms. However, in some cases, there will be no symptom. Symptoms vary depending on the swelling occurs acutely, gradually or more gradually.
- acute flank pain or back pain and abdominal region
- Nausea and vomiting
- urinary tract infection Consistent with painful urination
- Fever
- colic pain
- spots of blood in the urine
- chest pain
- Swelling of the legs
- Increased frequency of urination (3 )
Causes of hydronephrosis:
the hormonal changes during pregnancy involving estrogen, progesterone and prostaglandin as agents causing diseases such as hydronephrosis and ureter ectasis.
pregnancy results in generalized relaxation of smooth muscles for effect of progesterone. Along with right-uterine rotation, the incidence of hydronephrosis in pregnant women become greater.The increasing uterine weight in a confined space can cause pelvic dilation of the uterus and thus contribute to the incidence of hydronephrosis. Increasing age and growth of the uterus outside the gestational basin may decrease this pressure on ureters.Increased hydration can result in an increase of the degree of hydronephrosis.
pregnancy increases renal blood flow of up to 75% and about 50% increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is a test used to check how well the kidneys are functioning. Therefore, the incidence of fetal hydronephrosis in pregnancy increases. (4)
The obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract can occur congenitally in a fetus or can be one of the physiological response to pregnancy. kidney stones, blood clots or stenosis or scarring of the kidneys, bladder cancer, urethral stricture, etc., are some of the intrinsic causes hydronephrosis. Similarly, the external causes of cervical cancer, ovarian vein syndrome and functional causes such as diabetes and vesicoureteral reflux can also cause hydronephrosis
CURIOSITY '.:
- gestational hydronephrosis usually occurs in the second quarter. It affects nearly 0% of pregnancies by weeks 26 and 28.
- The ratio of expansion is higher in nulliparous patients. A woman who did not bring the pregnancy beyond 20 weeks is defined nulliparous.
- Mostly Hydronephrosis disappears on its own, without any form of treatment. The ideal time is six weeks after giving birth, but sometimes, it may persist longer
Diagnosis :.
- Ultrasound scanning can help in differentiating physiological hydronephrosis secondary to obstruction disease calculation.
- Urinalysis to determine the infection.
- blood test to check for anemia.
- Analysis of electrolytes and the GFR to detect the correct functioning of the kidneys. (5)
Risk:
a rare complication but potentially life-threatening associated with gestational renal hydronephrosis is a spontaneous rupture. It occurs due to an increase of the hydrostatic pressure within the collection facilities which exceeds the capacity of the junctions capsular caliceal-renal sealing.
Kidneys with damage first before pregnancy are more likely to suffer a spontaneous renal failure. (6)
If untreated beyond a reasonable time, the kidneys permanently fail to work
When to seek medical assistance.
an incidence of fever, acute pain in the abdomen or traces of blood in the urine are all pointers to seek medical assistance immediately. Hydronephrosis can be fatal in pregnant women with only one kidney. Therefore, the development of mild symptoms should be brought to medical attention
Hydronephrosis In Treatment Pregnancy :.
The treatment of hydronephrosis during pregnancy is carefully carried out through several stages. Take a look at them.
1. urine discharge through a thin catheter inserted into the bladder to the kidney or directly through the skin. It relieves the pressure of urine in kidneys.
2. Treat the underlying cause, which first caused the block is the next step in line. A surgery called ureteral stenting usually removes the obstruction. Several causes have different treatments. For example, if it is a kidney stone that has activated hydronephrosis, sound waves or lasers are used to break it.
3. But if it is purely pregnancy that caused the trouble, nothing can be done to treat the disorder. We just have to wait until complete its natural course of healing. However, the process of draining excess urine through a catheter is done to reduce the pressure on the kidneys and prevent the likelihood of further damage (7)
Prevention :.
kidney disease often have no symptoms. So, it can go unnoticed if not tested at the right time. the detection and early treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease. A urine test and blood tests regularly can help find the prevalence of any renal disorders in pregnancy. (8)
regularly consult your health during pregnancy and make sure they do not show signs of kidney disease. I doubt if you have kidney disease? Raise your questions to us
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