Hydronephrosis is a kidney related medical condition. It is a condition in which one or both the kidneys get inflamed due to back flow of urine. Many factors are responsible for hydronephrosis condition. It is estimated that about 1 in 100 people are affected with hydronephrosis. The causes and symptoms of hydronephrosis are mentioned below.

Causes of Hydronephrosis
The main function of kidneys to filter the blood and eliminate the waste materials. In this process, they also absorb the useful materials such as glucose. The waste materials eliminate in the form of urine that goes out through a tube called urethra. If this flow is disturbed and blocked due to any factor, the urine passes back into the kidney. This leads to inflammation and swelling of the kidney.

The inflammation and swelling of kidneys may occur due to the following reasons.

• Kidney stones may get struck in the passage of urine thus making the urine to flow back.
• Sometimes the contracted or scarred urine passage makes the urine flow back.
• A tumour growth outside the urinary tract puts pressure on the ureters leading to the condition.
• An over-grown prostrate gland make the urethra to contract leading to the condition.
• During pregnancy, the condition may occur but without a known cause.

Symptoms of Hydronephrosis
The signs and symptoms of hydronephrosis include:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Increase in abdominal mass
• Fever
• Urinary tract infection
• Frequent urination
• Urgent urination
• Pain during urination

Hydronephrosis Diagnosis
The doctor performs few specialized urine and blood tests to diagnose the disease condition. Raised pH in urine test and electrolyte imbalance in the blood test confirms the disease condition in a person. The tests also reveal presence of enlarged kidney.

Other tests to diagnose hydronephrosis are ultrasound, MRIs and CT scans. These tests help in detecting kidney location and the exact location of the obstruction. CT scan very accurate in detecting the kidney stones. Doctors refrain from doing MRI to a pregnant women as the radiations create an effect on the foetus.