1. Determine the Type of Uropathy
Uropathy can be either of the reflux type, which is most often found in children, or of the obstructive type. If yours is the latter, it is important for your urologist to determine the location and duration of your condition. Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy involves a long-term blockage of the ureter that drains urine from one of your kidneys, whereas acute unilateral obstructive uropathy occurs when the onset of the blockage is sudden. If the flow of urine from both of your kidneys is blocked, your condition is one of bilateral obstructive uropathy, which can also either be acute or chronic. Unilateral obstructive uropathy is less of a health concern than the bilateral variety, as just one kidney is involved. This means that no matter how damaged that kidney becomes from the blockage, you'll always be left with one normal kidney to carry on the necessary functions.
2. Monitor Kidney Function
Both reflux and obstructive uropathies involve a certain amount of danger to the kidneys. The urine that builds up in the kidneys can turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to serious bladder and kidney infections. Antibiotics are often given to uropathy patients as soon as the condition is diagnosed, preventing infection from setting in or mitigating the effects of any infection already in progress. A series of blood and urine tests may be given to check on the function of the affected kidney(s). The more damaged the kidney(s), the quicker your doctor will try to remedy the blockage by any means necessary.
3. Unblock the Ureters
The first step towards unblocking the ureters and allowing your kidneys to empty is to diagnose the cause of the blockage, so it can be treated accordingly. Although certain conditions that may lead to obstructive uropathy can sometimes be corrected by non-surgical or at least minimally invasive methods, such as medication (for enlarged prostate) or cystoscopy (for bladder stones), surgery is usually necessary by the time the underlying condition has reached the point at which your ureters are blocked and your kidney function impaired. Your doctor may need to go in to remove a physical object, such as a stone, tumor or other blockage, or to remove excess tissue if your obstructive uropathy is caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). If your kidneys are in need of immediate relief, you may first need to be catheterized to allow the urine to drain completely. In most cases, catheterization will be a temporary solution until corrective surgery can be attempted, but occasionally you may be instructed in how to self-catheterize, so that you can perform it on an ongoing basis. You may need to do this if your uropathy is not easily correctable by other methods or if surgery is inadvisable in your situation.
