There is a pulling and pain in the back. Urination works only in small quantities. Is kidney congestion on the horizon?
What is kidney congestion?
Kidney congestion is not a disease in its own right. Rather, kidney congestion is a symptom with various causes. When urine cannot drain properly to the bladder, it backs up to the kidneys. Fever attacks, back and flank pain, fatigue and recurrent urinary tract infections are the alarm signs. As a result, the kidney enlarges. Sometimes small swellings are also visible on ultrasound. The excretion of urine decreases noticeably. It is not uncommon for the daily amount to drop below 500 milliliters. Kidney congestion is divided into blood stasis kidney and urinary congestion kidney. Different causes exist for both types of kidney congestion.
Causes
Both forms of kidney congestion can be hereditary. Tumors and stones can also cause kidney congestion. In urinary retention kidney, urine backs up high into the renal pelvis. The pressure causes the tissue to dilate. This leads to the back pain described above. During pregnancy, the unborn child may press on one or both kidneys and cause kidney congestion. If the urinary tract is malformed from birth, the infant will experience delayed development. Vomiting and diarrhea often accompany the condition. These symptoms lead to the fact that the malformation is unfortunately recognized only late. Sometimes a kidney congestion has already developed. The causes of a congested kidney are renal vein thrombosis or cardiac insufficiency. Often other organs are damaged. The patient’s life is in danger.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The insidious thing about kidney congestion is that it causes no clear symptoms over a long period of time. If signs appear that may indicate kidney congestion, it is often already far advanced. The function of the kidney may then already be restricted. In the event of complaints that may be caused by kidney congestion, it is therefore advisable to consult a specialist as soon as possible in order to avoid damage to the sensitive kidney. If the urine backs up in the kidney, this can be noticed by a lower than usual production of urine. In addition, there may be dull pain in the area of the kidney, which also occasionally moves to the back. Back pain of unclear origin that persists for a prolonged period of time roughly in the area of the kidney bearings should always be investigated as an indication of kidney dysfunction. Severe urinary retention can occur if, for example, a stone becomes lodged in the ureter. In this case, the ureter may be completely blocked and no urine will flow. In addition, colic-like pains occur frequently. These are usually experienced as very painful and require immediate medical clarification.
Diagnosis and course
If unexplained back and flank pain, fever, fatigue, and urinary tract infections coincide, a (emergency) physician should definitely be consulted. Early diagnosis is very important. Once kidney congestion has damaged the tissue, it cannot be reversed. An ultrasound can prove kidney congestion beyond doubt. In addition, the blood and urine values are checked in addition to the query of the symptoms. A biopsy may 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 stagnant urine, this can lead to life-threatening blood poisoning. However, if there are no congenital malformations and kidney congestion is treated in time, it can heal without consequences.
Complications
First and foremost, kidney congestion results in very severe pain. These can spread thereby also into the back and lead there to strong complaints. In this case, patients also suffer from discomfort when urinating, so that the flow of water is only small and there is usually still urine left over in the kidney. Fever is also not uncommon in renal congestion and is accompanied by a general feeling of illness and fatigue in the patient. Those affected suffer from severe pain in the flanks and back. Furthermore, the kidney congestion can lead to inflammation of the urinary tract.If this is also not treated, it usually leads to blood poisoning and, in the further course, to the death of the affected person. In general, kidney congestion can be treated relatively well with the help of surgery. There are no complications. After treatment, the affected person is also dependent on taking antibiotics. However, in severe cases, the affected kidney must be completely removed.
When should you see a doctor?
If kidney congestion is suspected, the family doctor or a nephrologist should be consulted. If typical symptoms such as back pain in the kidney area occur, as well as episodes of fever and repeated urinary tract infections, this indicates a disease of the kidneys that needs to be treated. The clearest warning sign is a decrease in urine output. At the latest, if gastrointestinal complaints or even heart rhythm disturbances are added, 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 are also among the risk groups and it is best to speak to a general practitioner immediately if the symptoms described occur. Children should be taken to a pediatrician if kidney congestion is suspected. Other points of contact are the family doctor and gynecologist or urologist, as well as the nephrologist and other internists. If the symptoms are advanced, the patient must be treated as an inpatient. Since surgical opening of the narrowed ureter can be accompanied by complications, close medical monitoring is necessary in the days and weeks following the procedure.
Treatment and therapy
Once the physician has diagnosed renal congestion, treatment depends on the particular cause. If malformations are to blame for the kidney congestion, the patient can hardly avoid surgery. Often, antispasmodic agents are given to calm the tense posture. If kidney congestion occurs during pregnancy, lying and sleeping on the healthy side is sufficient. Sufficient drinking is very important in case of kidney congestion. Sometimes the administration of an antibiotic is added, if there is a risk of infection by bacteria. Usually, kidney congestion is also over with the end of pregnancy. However, if the impairment caused by the kidney congestion is too severe, a urinary splint is placed. In this case, the urine is passed outside through a catheter for a certain period of time. If urine poisoning is imminent, the affected kidney must be removed. If this is not done, the patient’s life is in danger. If the remaining kidney no longer manages to work on its own, only a transplant or dialysis can prolong life.
Outlook and prognosis
Because renal congestion is not a disease in its own right, no prognosis can be made at this point. Individual consideration of the situation is necessary to evaluate the further course of the disease and the consequences of renal congestion. In addition, most affected individuals do not experience noticeable symptoms and irregularities until an advanced stage. As a result, the functional activity of the kidney is often restricted and irreparable damage may have occurred. The sooner the affected person seeks the cooperation of a physician in the event of health impairments and a diagnosis can be made, the better the further course of the disease. 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 a cure within a few weeks. In pregnant women, the offspring may press on the internal organs, causing discomfort. Therefore, spontaneous healing is conceivable with the birth of the child. If the kidney congestion results in 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. In severe cases, a life-threatening condition is otherwise imminent, and thus the affected person may die prematurely.
Prevention
Kidney congestion cannot always be prevented. Expectant mothers in particular are at risk of kidney congestion due to the growing baby. Nevertheless, it makes sense to drink plenty of fluids. Researchers believe 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 causative. Common diseases of the urinary tract should be examined by a doctor. Since about five percent of people have kidney stones, it is important to act quickly in the event of the above symptoms in order to detect a kidney blockage in time.
This is what you can do 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 relieve symptoms. At the same time, however, physical overexertion as well as 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 and kidney and bladder teas are also healing and beneficial. When urinating, make sure that the bladder is completely emptied so that no backlog forms. For control purposes, the urine can be collected so that the discharge of foreign bodies is noticed and can be taken to the next doctor’s visit for analysis. If the discharge of stone-like formations occurs, a control visit to a doctor is necessary so that the treatment plan can be adjusted and optimized. To avoid a deterioration of the health condition, the consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol and nicotine should be avoided. Relaxation techniques can be used for mental stabilization and to reduce stress. Patients have recommended yoga, autogenic training or meditation as particularly pleasant. A regular daily routine and avoidance of conflict additionally promote the psyche and increase the general well-being of the affected person.
