Ureteral Obstruction – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Ureteral obstruction happens when one or both ureters get blocked. These tubes normally carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. This condition is quite common and can be treated successfully.

Without treatment, symptoms can progress from mild to severe. Early signs include:

• Pain
• Fever
• Infection

If left untreated, serious complications may develop:

• Loss of kidney function
• Sepsis (blood infection)
• Death in severe cases

The good news is that with proper medical care, most people recover completely and avoid these serious complications.

Symptoms

Ureteral obstruction may occur without any noticeable symptoms. The signs you experience depend on the location of the blockage, whether it’s partial or complete, how quickly it develops, and if it affects one or both kidneys.

You might notice these symptoms:

• Pain in your side or back
• Changes in urine amount
• Trouble urinating
• Blood in urine
• Urinary infections
• High blood pressure

When Medical Help Is Needed

Contact your healthcare provider if you have concerning symptoms related to urination or kidney function.

Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Pain so severe you cannot get comfortable
• Pain with nausea and vomiting
• Pain along with fever and chills
• Blood appearing in your urine
• Difficulty passing urine

These symptoms may indicate a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.

What Causes Ureteral Blockages

Ureteral obstructions can happen from many different causes. Some people are born with them, while others develop them later in life.

Several birth-related causes include having a second ureter on one kidney. This extra ureter may not work properly, causing urine to back up and harm the kidney.

Blockages can also form where the ureter connects to the kidney or bladder. When this happens at the kidney connection point, the kidney may swell and eventually stop working. These blockages might be present at birth, develop during normal growth, result from injuries, scarring, or rarely from tumors.

A ureterocele happens when a part of the ureter forms a small bulge, usually near the bladder. This can block urine flow and cause backup into the kidney, possibly damaging it.

In rare cases, a condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis causes fibrous tissue to grow behind the abdomen. This tissue can wrap around and block the ureters, forcing urine back into the kidneys.

It might happen due to cancer or certain migraine medications.

Other factors that can block ureters include:

• Inside the Ureter:
  • Kidney stones
  • Blood clots
  • Long-term swelling of the ureter wall from diseases like tuberculosis or parasitic infections
• Outside the Ureter:
  • Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Tissue growth like endometriosis in women

Doctors often need to treat these blockages to prevent kidney damage and other complications. The treatment depends on what’s causing the blockage and how severe it is.

Risk Factors

Several factors can raise your chance of developing ureteral obstruction:

• Birth Conditions: Some people are born with issues that affect their urinary system.
• Stones: Kidney or bladder stones can block the flow of urine.
• Growths: Tumors and unusual tissue growth might press against the ureter.
• Blood Clots: These can form and create blockages.
• Lymph Nodes: When these become enlarged, they may compress nearby ureters.

Complications

Ureteral obstruction can cause serious health issues if not treated properly. Two main complications include:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Blocked urine flow creates a favorable environment for bacteria growth
• Infections may spread upward to the kidneys
• Symptoms include fever, pain, and cloudy urine

Kidney Damage

• Can occur gradually as pressure builds in the kidney
• May lead to hydronephrosis (kidney swelling)
• Long-term blockages can cause permanent kidney tissue damage

Without treatment, these complications may progress from mild to severe. The risk of permanent kidney damage increases with the duration and severity of the obstruction. In cases of complete blockage, kidney function can decline rapidly.