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Can reflux nephropathy cause chronic renal failure?
Yes
Reflux nephropathy?
DefinitionReflux nephropathy is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged by the backward flow of urine into the kidney.Alternative NamesChronic atrophic pyelonephritis; Vesicoureteric reflux; Nephropathy - reflux; Ureteral refluxCauses, incidence, and risk factorsUrine flows from each kidney, through tubes called ureters, and into the bladder. When the bladder is full, it squeezes and sends the urine out through your urethra. None of the urine should flow back into the ureter when the bladder is squeezing. Each ureter has a one-way valve where it enters the bladder, preventing urine from flowing back up the ureter.But in some people, the urine flows back up to the kidney. This is called reflux.Over time, the kidneys may be damaged or scarred by this reflux. This is called reflux nephropathyReflux can occur in people whose ureters do not attach properly to the bladder or if the valves do not work well. Children may be born with this problem or other birth defects of the urinary system that cause reflux nephropathy.Reflux nephropathy can occur with other conditions that lead to a blockage of urine flow, including:Bladder outlet obstructionBladder stonesNeurogenic bladder, which can occur in people with multiple sclerosisReflux nephropathy also can occur from swelling of the ureters after a kidney transplant or trauma to the ureter.The risk factors include a personal or family history of reflux, abnormalities of the urinary tract, and repeat urinary tract infections.SymptomsSome people can have no symptoms from reflux nephropathy. The problem may be found when different tests are done for other reasons.If symptoms do occur, they might be similar to those of a urinary tract infection, nephrotic syndrome, or chronic kidney failure.High blood pressure may be the only symptom.Signs and testsReflux nephropathy is often found when a child is checked for repeat or suspicious bladder infections. If reflux is discovered, the child's siblings may also be checked, because reflux can run in families.The blood pressure may be raised, and there may be signs and symptoms of chronic kidney failure.Blood and urine tests will be done, and include:BUN - bloodCreatinine - bloodCreatinine clearanceUrinalysis or 24-hour urine studiesUrine cultureImaging tests that may be done include:Abdominal CT scan or ultrasound of the kidneysIVPKidney ultrasoundRadionuclide cystogramVoiding cystourethrogramTreatmentThe degree of reflux is separated into five different grades. Simple or mild reflux often falls into grade I or II. How severe the reflux is and how much damage to the kidney is present helps determine treatment.Simple, uncomplicated reflux (called primary reflux) less than grade III can be treated by the following:Antibiotics taken every day to prevent infectionsCareful watchingRepeated urine culturesYearly ultrasound of the kidneysControlling blood pressure is the most important measure to delay kidney damage. Therefore, the doctor may prescribe medicines to control high blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are used.Surgical therapy is reserved for children who fail medical therapy.More severe reflux may require surgery, especially in children who do not respond to medical therapy. Surgery to place the ureter(s) back into the bladder can be done to stop reflux nephropathy.More severe reflux may require surgery, such as the following:Ureteral reimplantationReconstructive repairThese surgeries result in less frequent and less severe urinary tract infections.If needed, patients will be treated for chronic kidney disease.Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies. Most cases of reflux nephropathy get better on their own. However, the damage to the kidney may be permanent. If only one kidney is involved, the other kidney may continue to function.Reflux nephropathy may cause kidney failure in children and young adults.ComplicationsBlockage of the ureter after surgeryChronic or repeat urinary tract infectionsChronic renal failure if both kidneys are involved (can progress to end-stage kidney disease)Kidney infectionHigh blood pressureNephrotic syndromePermanent damage to one or both kidneysPersistent refluxScarring of the kidneysCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of reflux nephropathy, or if you have decreased urine output or other new symptoms.PreventionQuickly treating conditions that cause reflux of urine into the kidney may prevent reflux nephropathy.ReferencesIn: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner: Brenner and Rector's the Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.
Does vesicoureteral reflux damage the kidneys?
Vesicoureteral reflux, where urine flows back from bladder to kidneys, can lead to kidney damage over time due to chronic exposure to bacteria and pressure on the kidneys. If left untreated, it can contribute to recurrent urinary tract infections and potentially impact kidney function. It is important to monitor and manage vesicoureteral reflux to prevent kidney damage.
What is the medical term meaning water in the kidney due to reflux?
Hydronephrosis is a backup of urine in the kidney due to reflux.
Are heartburn, regurgitation and chronic sore throat classic symptoms of acid reflux?
Yes, heartburn, regurgitation and chronic sore throat are all indeed classic symptoms of acid reflux disease.
How do you get a kidney disease?
Kidney failure can occur from an acute situation or from chronic problems.In acute renal failure, kidney function is lost rapidly and can occur from a variety of insults to the body. The list of causes is often categorized based on where the injury has occurred.Prerenal causes (pre=before + renal=kidney) causes are due to decreased blood supply to the kidney. Examples of prerenal causes of kidney failure are:hypovolemia (low blood volume) due to blood loss;dehydration from loss of body fluid (for example, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fever);poor intake of fluids;medication, for example, diuretics ("water pills") may cause excessive water loss; andabnormal blood flow to and from the kidney due to obstruction of the renal artery or vein.Renal causes of kidney failure (damage directly to the kidney itself) include:Sepsis: The body's immune system is overwhelmed from infection and causes inflammation and shutdown of the kidneys. This usually does not occur with urinary tract infections.Medications: Some medications are toxic to the kidney, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Others potentially toxic medications include antibiotics like aminoglycosides [gentamicin (Garamycin), tobramycin], lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), iodine-containing medications such as those injected for radiology dye studies.Rhabdomyolysis: This is a situation in which there is significant muscle breakdown in the body, and the damaged muscle fibers clog the filtering system of the kidneys. this can occur because of trauma, crush injuries, and burns. Some medications used to treat high cholesterol can cause rhabdomyolysis.Multiple myelomaAcute glomerulonephritis or inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering system of the kidneys. Many diseases can cause this inflammation including systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Goodpasture syndrome.Post renal causes of kidney failure (post=after + renal= kidney) are due to factors that affect outflow of the urine:Obstruction of the bladder or the ureters can cause back pressure because the kidneys continue to produce urine, but the obstruction acts like a dam, and urine backs up into the kidneys. When the pressure increases high enough, the kidneys are damaged and shut down.Prostatic hypertrophy or prostate cancer may block the urethra and prevents the bladder from emptying.Tumors in the abdomen that surround and obstruct the ureters.Kidney stones. Usually, kidney stones affect only one kidney and do not cause kidney failure. However, if there is only one kidney present, a kidney stone may cause the lone kidney to fail.Chronic renal failure develops over months and years. The most common causes of chronic renal failure are related to:poorly controlled diabetes,poorly controlled high blood pressure, andchronic glomerulonephritis.Less common causes of chronic renal failure include:polycystic kidney disease,reflux nephropathy,kidney stones, andprostate disease.
How do you get Kidney disease?
Kidney failure can occur from an acute situation or from chronic problems.In acute renal failure, kidney function is lost rapidly and can occur from a variety of insults to the body. The list of causes is often categorized based on where the injury has occurred.Prerenal causes (pre=before + renal=kidney) causes are due to decreased blood supply to the kidney. Examples of prerenal causes of kidney failure are:hypovolemia (low blood volume) due to blood loss;dehydration from loss of body fluid (for example, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fever);poor intake of fluids;medication, for example, diuretics ("water pills") may cause excessive water loss; andabnormal blood flow to and from the kidney due to obstruction of the renal artery or vein.Renal causes of kidney failure (damage directly to the kidney itself) include:Sepsis: The body's immune system is overwhelmed from infection and causes inflammation and shutdown of the kidneys. This usually does not occur with urinary tract infections.Medications: Some medications are toxic to the kidney, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Others potentially toxic medications include antibiotics like aminoglycosides [gentamicin (Garamycin), tobramycin], lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), iodine-containing medications such as those injected for radiology dye studies.Rhabdomyolysis: This is a situation in which there is significant muscle breakdown in the body, and the damaged muscle fibers clog the filtering system of the kidneys. this can occur because of trauma, crush injuries, and burns. Some medications used to treat high cholesterol can cause rhabdomyolysis.Multiple myelomaAcute glomerulonephritis or inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering system of the kidneys. Many diseases can cause this inflammation including systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Goodpasture syndrome.Post renal causes of kidney failure (post=after + renal= kidney) are due to factors that affect outflow of the urine:Obstruction of the bladder or the ureters can cause back pressure because the kidneys continue to produce urine, but the obstruction acts like a dam, and urine backs up into the kidneys. When the pressure increases high enough, the kidneys are damaged and shut down.Prostatic hypertrophy or prostate cancer may block the urethra and prevents the bladder from emptying.Tumors in the abdomen that surround and obstruct the ureters.Kidney stones. Usually, kidney stones affect only one kidney and do not cause kidney failure. However, if there is only one kidney present, a kidney stone may cause the lone kidney to fail.Chronic renal failure develops over months and years. The most common causes of chronic renal failure are related to:poorly controlled Diabetes,poorly controlled high blood pressure, andchronic glomerulonephritis.Less common causes of chronic renal failure include:polycystic kidney disease,reflux nephropathy,kidney stones, andprostate disease.
What type of problem most commonly affects the urinary system organs?
There are several different types of kidney disease. These include inflammation of the filtering parts of the kidney (called glomerulonephritis), polycystic kidney disease, an inherited genetic disorder where the kidney tissues become replaced by cysts, and scarring of the kidney tissues caused by backflow of the urine from the bladder (called reflux nephropathy), which is caused by structural defects. Diabetic kidney disease which damages the kidneys' filtering membranes, and kidney disease due to high blood pressure are other forms of kidney disease
What does hydronephrosis mean?
Swelling of the kidney, often from reflux of urine from bladder back up to kidney, or from blockage of ureter due to stone, etc.
What is the physiology of vesicoureteral reflux?
Vesicoureteral reflux occurs when urine flows backward from the bladder into the ureters or kidneys. This can happen due to a malfunction in the valve-like mechanism where the ureter connects to the bladder, allowing urine to reflux. The condition can lead to increased risk of urinary tract infections and kidney damage.
What is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is another name for heartburn, which is a chronic condition. It occurs when the sphincter of the esophogus, going into the stomach, allows some stomach acid to rise into the esophogus, and irritate the tissue there. It is a very painful, damaging, condition.
What happens if the cardiac sphincter relaxes?
If the cardiac sphincter relaxes, it allows stomach contents to reflux back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux or heartburn. This can lead to symptoms like chest pain, regurgitation, and a sour taste in the mouth. Chronic relaxation of the cardiac sphincter can contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
