It pulls and hurts in the back. Urinating only works in small amounts. Announced about a kidney congestion ?
What is kidney congestion?
Kidney congestion is not an independent disease. Kidney congestion is rather a symptom with various causes. If the urine can no longer flow properly to the bladder, it accumulates up to the kidneys. See etaizhou for What does Hypersomnia Mean.
Bouts of fever, back and flank pain, fatigue and recurring infections of the urinary tract are the alarm signs. As a result, the kidney enlarges. Sometimes small swellings can also be seen on ultrasound. The excretion of urine is noticeably reduced.
It is not uncommon for the daily amount to fall below 500 milliliters. A kidney congestion is divided into blood congestion kidney and urinary congestion kidney. There are different causes for both types of kidney congestion.
Causes
Both forms of kidney congestion can be hereditary. Tumors and stones can also trigger kidney congestion. In the case of urinary stasis, the urine accumulates up to the renal pelvis. The pressure causes the tissue to expand. This leads to the described back pain.
During pregnancy, the unborn child can press on one or both kidneys and cause kidney congestion. If the urinary tract is malformed from birth, the baby will develop late. Vomiting and diarrhea are often associated. Unfortunately, these symptoms mean that the malformation is not recognized until late.
Sometimes kidney congestion has already developed. The causes of a blocked kidney are renal vein thrombosis or cardiac insufficiency. Other organs are often damaged. There is a risk of death for the patient.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
The insidious thing about kidney congestion is that it does not cause any clear symptoms over a long period of time. If there are signs that could indicate kidney congestion, this is often far advanced. The function of the kidneys can then already be restricted. In the case of symptoms that can be caused by kidney congestion, it is therefore advisable to see a specialist as soon as possible in order to avoid damage to the sensitive kidneys.
If the urine is blocked in the kidneys, this can be noticed by a lower production of urine than usual. In addition, dull pain in the kidney area can occur, which also occasionally pulls into the back. Back pain of unclear origin, which persists over a longer period of time roughly in the area of the kidneys, should always be examined as an indication of a functional disorder of the kidneys.
Severe urinary retention can occur if, for example, a stone becomes lodged in the ureter. In this case, the ureter can become completely blocked and no more urine can be drained. In addition, colicky pain often occurs. These are usually experienced as very painful and require immediate medical clarification.
Diagnosis & History
If unclear back and flank pain, fever, exhaustion and infections of the urinary tract coincide, an (emergency) doctor should be consulted.
Early diagnosis is very important. Once the kidney congestion has damaged the tissue, this cannot be reversed. An ultrasound can unequivocally demonstrate kidney congestion. In addition to querying the symptoms, the blood and urine values are checked. A biopsy can also be used. If kidney congestion is left untreated, the urea that is not excreted can damage the body.
If bacteria then get into the blocked urine, this can lead to life-threatening blood poisoning. If there are no congenital malformations and kidney congestion is treated in good time, it can heal without consequences.
Complications
First and foremost, kidney congestion causes very severe pain. These can also spread to the back and lead to severe discomfort there. The patients also suffer from problems when urinating, so that the water jet is only small and urine usually remains in the kidneys.
Fever is also not uncommon in kidney congestion and is accompanied by a general feeling of illness and exhaustion on the part of the patient. Those affected suffer from severe pain in the flanks and back. Furthermore, kidney congestion can lead to inflammation of the urinary tract. If this is not treated either, it usually leads to blood poisoning and, in the further course, to the death of the person concerned.
In general, kidney congestion can be treated relatively well with the help of a surgical procedure. There are no complications. After the treatment, the affected person is also dependent on taking antibiotics. In severe cases, however, the affected kidney must be completely removed.
When should you go to the doctor?
If kidney congestion is suspected, you should see your family doctor or a nephrologist. If typical symptoms such as back pain in the kidney area, flare-ups of fever and repeated urinary tract infections occur, this indicates a kidney disease that needs to be treated. The clearest warning sign is a decrease in urine output.
At the latest when gastrointestinal complaints or even cardiac arrhythmias occur, a doctor must be consulted with the complaints. People who suffer from kidney stones, tumors or a megaureter (malformation of the ureter) are particularly at risk. Pregnant women and people with chronic kidney disease also belong to the risk groups and are best advised to speak to a general practitioner immediately if the symptoms described occur.
Children should be taken to the pediatrician if kidney congestion is suspected. Other contact points are the family doctor and gynecologist or urologist as well as the nephrologist and other internists. In the case of advanced symptoms, the patient must be treated as an inpatient. Since surgical opening of the narrowed ureter can be associated with complications, close medical monitoring is necessary in the days and weeks after the operation.
Treatment & Therapy
Once the doctor has diagnosed kidney congestion, the treatment depends on the cause. If malformations are to blame for the kidney congestion, the patient can hardly avoid an operation. Often, anticonvulsants are given to calm the tense posture.
If kidney congestion occurs during pregnancy, lying and sleeping on the healthy side is sufficient. Drinking enough is very important in kidney congestion. Sometimes an antibiotic is given if there is a risk of bacterial infection. As a rule, the kidney congestion is over by the end of the pregnancy.
However, if the impairments caused by the kidney congestion are too severe, a urinary splint is placed. In this case, the urine is drained to the outside via a catheter for a certain period of time. If there is a risk of urinary poisoning, the affected kidney must be removed.
If this does not happen, there is a risk of death. If the remaining kidney can no longer work on its own, only a transplant or dialysis can prolong life.
Outlook & Forecast
Since kidney congestion is not an independent disease, no prognosis can be made at this point. An individual consideration of the situation is necessary in order to assess the further course of the disease and the consequences of kidney congestion. In addition, most of those affected only experience noticeable symptoms and irregularities at an advanced stage. As a result, the functional activity of the kidneys is often restricted and irreparable damage may have occurred.
The sooner the affected person seeks cooperation with a doctor in the event of health impairments and a diagnosis can be made, the better the further course of the disease will be. If the kidney congestion was triggered by an unfavorable posture or a viral infection with fever, a quick recovery is usually possible. In these cases, the initiated therapy triggers healing within a few weeks. In pregnant women, the offspring can press on the internal organs and thus lead to discomfort. Spontaneous healing is therefore conceivable with the birth of the child.
If kidney congestion causes organ damage, long-term therapy may be necessary. In addition to permanent drug treatment, dialysis or the need for a donor organ are possible treatment strategies. Otherwise, in severe cases, a life-threatening condition threatens and the affected person may die prematurely.
Prevention
Kidney congestion cannot always be prevented. Expectant mothers are at risk of kidney congestion as the baby grows. Nevertheless, it makes sense to drink a lot.
Researchers assume that too much oxalic acid promotes the formation of kidney stones. For this reason, spinach, rhubarb and chard should only be eaten in moderation. A lack of exercise can also be a cause. Common diseases of the urinary tract should be evaluated by a doctor.
Since around five percent of people have kidney stones, it is important to act quickly if the symptoms mentioned above are detected in order to discover kidney congestion in good time.
You can do that yourself
If you have kidney congestion, a lot of exercise is very beneficial. Daily activities such as running, jumping rope or swimming stimulate kidney activity and can help alleviate the symptoms. At the same time, however, physical exertion and states of overload should be avoided.
The usual fluid intake should be increased. Normally, the consumption of two liters per day is recommended. Natural juices or non-carbonated mineral water can be drunk. Chamomile, kidney and bladder teas are also healing and beneficial. When urinating, make sure that the bladder is completely emptied so that there is no backwater. The urine can be collected for control purposes, so that the passage of foreign bodies can be noticed and can be taken with you for analysis purposes at the next doctor’s visit. If stone-like structures are removed, a doctor’s visit is required so that the treatment plan can be adjusted and optimized.
To avoid a deterioration in your health, you should avoid consuming harmful substances such as alcohol and nicotine. Relaxation techniques can be used for mental stabilization and to reduce stress. Patients have recommended yoga, autogenic training or meditation as particularly pleasant. A regulated daily routine and conflict avoidance also promote the psyche and increase the general well-being of those affected.
