Can kidney enlargement lead to kidney failure?

I have right renal dilation and grade 1 hydronephrosis in my left kidney. Am I at risk of kidney failure? Could you please advise on treatment and prevention methods? (Dieu Linh, 35 years old, Ninh Thuan )

Reply:

Hydronephrosis, or kidney obstruction, is a condition where there is a blockage within the renal pelvis, preventing urine from moving through the ureters to the bladder and being eliminated normally. There are many causes for this condition, primarily due to obstructions in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones.

Hydronephrosis has two forms: acute and chronic. If it is acute grade 1 hydronephrosis, caused by foreign body invasion or kidney stones, it can be treated by removing the obstructing element from the kidney or ureter.

However, in cases of chronic grade 1 hydronephrosis, especially in long-standing cases, even with interventions to remove the factors causing obstruction of the urinary tract, the condition may persist.

In general, grade 1 hydronephrosis is not dangerous. Patients only need to drink plenty of water to improve urine flow. They should not hold their urine for long periods; if they feel the urge to urinate, they should do so immediately to avoid infection.

The disease can progress to more severe stages, even kidney failure, seriously affecting health. Patients should visit a medical facility for regular kidney ultrasounds every 3-6 months to monitor disease progression and receive appropriate treatment.

Do not self-medicate with diuretics when urine output decreases without a clear cause, as this can lead to more serious hydronephrosis and the risk of kidney rupture.

Distinguished physician, Specialist Doctor II Ta Phuong Dung
Deputy Director of the Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology
Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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