Hydronephrosis: Recovery Time and Healing Indicators

Q: Hydronephrosis: Recovery Time and Healing Indicators

Hello： 1. <br>How many days does it usually take for hydronephrosis caused by kidney inflammation to recover? --> Hydronephrosis may be related to inflammation, but it is important to monitor and identify the underlying cause of the hydronephrosis. <br>2. <br>How can we determine

Hydronephrosis was discovered?

Hello Doctor: Eight days ago, I experienced painful urination, hematuria, chills with high fever, vomiting, and weakness, which led me to visit the emergency department at Veterans General Hospital.
I was diagnosed with cystitis (no ultrasound was performed), and I received antibiotics in the emergency room along with a three-day course of medication.
After three days, I visited my family physician and continued antibiotics for another six days.
Today, during a follow-up appointment, I requested an ultrasound, which revealed hydronephrosis (I have never had this before)! The doctor mentioned that this is due to pyelonephritis and advised me to continue taking antibiotics and to have blood tests to check kidney function.
Currently, I do not have a fever, and my urinalysis is normal, but my blood test results are not yet available.

I would like to ask the doctor: 1.
How many days does it typically take for hydronephrosis due to pyelonephritis to resolve? 2.
How can I determine if the kidney inflammation has healed? It has been eight days, and I still have hydronephrosis, which makes me very concerned.
Thank you for your response, I really appreciate it!

Lan, 50~59 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/01/09

Dr. Du Shixi reply Urology

Hello: 1.
How many days does it usually take for hydronephrosis caused by kidney inflammation to recover? --> Hydronephrosis may be related to inflammation, but it is important to monitor and identify the underlying cause of the hydronephrosis.
2.
How can we determine if kidney inflammation has healed? ---> No fever, normal urinalysis; if blood tests are also done, they can help assess the condition.
It has been 8 days and there is still hydronephrosis, which is concerning.
--> Hospital examination, urinalysis, and other tests should be conducted to check for other underlying causes.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2024/01/09

More Info

Hydronephrosis, which refers to the swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine, can occur as a result of various underlying conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, or anatomical abnormalities. In your case, it appears that the hydronephrosis is secondary to a bladder infection that has led to inflammation of the kidney.

Recovery Time for Hydronephrosis
The recovery time for hydronephrosis largely depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. In cases where hydronephrosis is caused by an infection, such as in your situation, the recovery can vary. Generally, if the infection is effectively treated with antibiotics, you may start to see improvement within a few days to a week. However, complete resolution of hydronephrosis may take longer, especially if there is significant swelling or if the infection has caused any damage to the kidney.

In your case, since you have been on antibiotics for several days and are currently experiencing no fever and normal urine tests, this is a positive sign. However, the presence of hydronephrosis after eight days indicates that your kidneys may still be recovering from the inflammation. It is essential to continue monitoring your symptoms and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Indicators of Healing from Kidney Inflammation
To determine whether the kidney inflammation (likely pyelonephritis, given the symptoms you described) is healing, several indicators can be assessed:
1. Symptom Resolution: The absence of symptoms such as fever, chills, flank pain, and urinary symptoms (like pain during urination or blood in urine) is a good sign of recovery. You mentioned that you are currently not experiencing fever, which is encouraging.

2. Blood Tests: Your doctor will likely monitor your kidney function through blood tests, specifically looking at creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Normalizing these values can indicate that the kidneys are recovering.

3. Urine Tests: A urinalysis can help determine if there are any lingering signs of infection. The absence of white blood cells, bacteria, and red blood cells in the urine can suggest that the infection is resolving.

4. Imaging Studies: Follow-up ultrasounds or other imaging studies can help assess the degree of hydronephrosis. A decrease in the size of the hydronephrosis over time would indicate improvement.

5. Clinical Follow-Up: Regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider are crucial. They can assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Conclusion
In summary, while the recovery from hydronephrosis due to kidney inflammation can vary, many patients begin to feel better within a week of appropriate treatment. Continuous monitoring of symptoms, blood tests, urine tests, and follow-up imaging will provide a clearer picture of your recovery. If you have concerns about your condition or if symptoms worsen, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management. Your health and peace of mind are paramount, and timely communication with your doctor is essential in navigating this recovery process.

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