Hydronephrosis is a condition characterized by the swelling of the kidney. Such is brought about by the failure of urine to flow from the affected kidney to the urinary bladder. It’s important to note that hydronephrosis is not a disease. Rather, it is a problem due to a blockage or obstruction which causes the collection of urine in the kidney.
The common cause of hydronephrosis is what’s called acute unilateral obstructive uropathy, which is brought about by the sudden presence of a blockage in the ureter — a tube that connects the kidney to the urinary bladder. Usually, this blockage is a kidney stone although it may also be something else such as a scar or blood clot. Other potential causes of hydronephrosis include the narrowing of the ureter due to an injury or birth defect, development of a tumor in or near the ureter, and a kink in the area where the ureter and the pelvis of the kidney meet.
Usually, only one kidney suffers from hydronephrosis, although it is possible for both kidneys to be affected at once. Experts say that 1 out of 100 adults may have a bout of it. However, the problem is more common in babies.
The symptoms of hydronephrosis vary, depending on how long the condition has been around. Usually, there is pain when urinating. The person suffering from hydronephrosis may also experience flank pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and frequent urge to urinate. Hydronephrosis may also increase your risk of urinary tract infection or UTI.
In order to treat hydronephrosis, it’s important to address the underlying problem. The insertion of what’s called a ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube helps remove the collected urine in the affected kidney. Surgery may be performed in order to remove the obstruction in the ureter. The administration of antibiotics is commonly done to control the infection.
There are also a few home remedies known to be effective against hydronephrosis. Do take note that proper diagnosis and treatment of a specialist is essential in order to prevent complications. Some of them include total kidney function loss or even death. Below are some of the all-natural approaches to dealing with hydronephrosis.
For dissolving kidney stones:
• Olive oil and lemon juice – Combine 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1.4 cup of olive oil. Take this up to 3 times a day, each one followed by a full glass of water.
• Apple cider vinegar – Mix a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink several times a day. You may add some honey to improve the taste.
• Watermelons – The simple consumption of watermelons is said to help dissolve kidney stones made up of magnesium phosphates and calcium. Eating these fruits packed with water also helps promote healthy kidneys.
• Wheatgrass juice – Many swear by the efficacy of taking several cups of wheatgrass juice in treating kidney stones as well as other problems concerning the urinary tract.
For controlling kidney infection:
• Parsley juice – Dinking parsley juice allows for the cleansing of the kidneys and the other parts of the urinary tract by promoting the flushing out of bacteria.
• Cranberry juice – Many experts recommend the intake of cranberry juice for managing kidney infections such as a UTI. However, it’s not recommendable to drink excessive amounts of cranberry juice for a long period of time.
• Baking soda dissolved in water – In a glass of water, dissolve a teaspoon of basking soda. Drink this mix on a daily basis to help control kidney infection.
• Take raw garlic – Swallowing 2 to 3 cloves of raw garlic allows you to take advantage of the popular herb’s ability to kill off bacteria as well as promote urine production.
