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Urology (Expert Forum)
Are my kidneys at risk?
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Are my kidneys at risk?
by Jo, Sep 07, 1999 12:00AM
I am a 21 year old female. I was born with stones in one kidney and had it removed when I was four. I have recently become concerned with pains I get in the kidney area after drinking alcohol. I have tried to find out what effect alcohol has on the kidneys but have not been able to gather much information. Does the fact that I have only one kidney mean I should not be drinking much alcohol and am I at any risk if I continue?
Doctor's Answer
by hfhs M.D.-AK, Sep 08, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Jo,
Pain can occur in the kidney if the urine out-flow is inadequate. When you consume alcohol, a diuresis occurs and increases the urine output. If your output is increased substantially as it does when alcohol you consume alcohol in large quantities, you can have pains in the back, flank, or kidney due to the increased pressure in the system. The term for this condition is Dietl’s crisis.
Often this condition is associated with a borderline functional obstruction and during high rates of urine flow, the renal pelvis decompensates, resulting in severe abdominal pain and vomiting. When the pelvis drains sufficiently, the pain resolves. This is an intermittent condition and does not generally cause long-term damage to the renal parenchyma resulting in a loss of renal function. Other explanations for your problem include a UPJ obstruction, either stenotic or dysfunctional, or an accessory lower pole artery.
In regards to what should you do? I would see a urologist, preferably your urologist who removed your kidney, or an adult urologist making him aware of your solitary kidney. Due to your history, and this intermittent pain, I think an ultrasound could be done to check for a dilated renal pelvis indicating obstruction, and a creatinine to look at kidney function. If these two tests are normal, I think your solitary kidney can be followed conservatively. If these tests are abnormal, a diuretic renal scan could be performed to document the severity of the obstruction.
I don’t think you are going to find a problem requiring immediate intervention, and the pain can be managed by consuming foods or beverages that cause a diuresis in limited quantities spread out over time. However, with your history of a solitary kidney and intermittent pain, I think you should have your condition evaluated and establish a urologist to follow your solitary kidney.
The information provided in this forum is presented for general educational purposes only. Specific questions you have pertaining to your health should always be directed to your personal physician.
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Flank pain
Pain can occur in the kidney if the urine out-flow is inadequate. When you consume alcohol, a diuresis occurs and increases the urine output. If your output is increased substantially as it does when alcohol you consume alcohol in large quantities, you can have pains in the back, flank, or kidney due to the increased pressure in the system. The term for this condition is Dietl’s crisis.
Often this condition is associated with a borderline functional obstruction and during high rates of urine flow, the renal pelvis decompensates, resulting in severe abdominal pain and vomiting. When the pelvis drains sufficiently, the pain resolves. This is an intermittent condition and does not generally cause long-term damage to the renal parenchyma resulting in a loss of renal function. Other explanations for your problem include a UPJ obstruction, either stenotic or dysfunctional, or an accessory lower pole artery.
In regards to what should you do? I would see a urologist, preferably your urologist who removed your kidney, or an adult urologist making him aware of your solitary kidney. Due to your history, and this intermittent pain, I think an ultrasound could be done to check for a dilated renal pelvis indicating obstruction, and a creatinine to look at kidney function. If these two tests are normal, I think your solitary kidney can be followed conservatively. If these tests are abnormal, a diuretic renal scan could be performed to document the severity of the obstruction.
I don’t think you are going to find a problem requiring immediate intervention, and the pain can be managed by consuming foods or beverages that cause a diuresis in limited quantities spread out over time. However, with your history of a solitary kidney and intermittent pain, I think you should have your condition evaluated and establish a urologist to follow your solitary kidney.
The information provided in this forum is presented for general educational purposes only. Specific questions you have pertaining to your health should always be directed to your personal physician.
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Flank pain
Member Comments
by stanley pittman, Sep 18, 1999 12:00AM
To: Kidney/Urinary Stones
0
