Prolapsed kidneys are called nephroptosis. This is a pathology in which these organs have excessive mobility. Normally, the kidneys can move 1-2 cm up or down. This happens when you change the position of the body, as well as when breathing. With nephroptosis in a vertical position, the kidney descends into the abdominal cavity, and in severe cases even into the small pelvis (vagus organ).
Etiology
The kidneys are held in the appropriate position with the help of special ligaments. When they are weakened, these organs can move much more than it happens when everything is normal.
If kidney prolapse develops, the causes of this pathology may be as follows:
- dramatic weight loss resulting in a reduction in fat capsule;
- hereditary excessive extensibility of connective fibers (for example, in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome);
- abrupt lifting of a load or injury in the lumbar region, which leads to damage to the ligamentous apparatus;
- hematoma formation in the perirenal tissue;
- when kidney prolapse is observed, the causes of this disease may include stretching of the abdominal muscles,what, for example, happens during pregnancy;
- heavy physical activity;
- kidney infections.
Clinic. Features of pain syndrome in nephroptosis
No symptoms at first. Subsequently, unpleasant sensations appear in the lumbar region. At first, the pain has a pulling or aching, less often - a stabbing character, quickly disappears, is not pronounced. Then it becomes more intense, constant, exhausting the patient.
Pain when the kidney is lowered first occurs after physical exertion, severe coughing or due to lifting loads and decreases in the supine position. It should be noted that their localization is quite different - not only in the kidney area, but also in the back, abdomen, under the shoulder blade. This is due to the fact that the displaced kidney compresses neighboring organs. Sometimes pain in nephroptosis mimics renal colic and is characterized by irradiation to the genitals or inguinal region. During a pain attack, nausea and vomiting, fever may occur.
Patients also show decreased appetite, constipation or diarrhea, functional disorders of the nervous system (neurasthenia, irritability), dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
Degrees of nephroptosis
The following degrees of kidney prolapse are distinguished:
• First, the kidney can be felt when inhaling through the anterior abdominal wall. In this case, the patient may experience aching pain in the lower back, which disappear in the supine position. During exhalation, it moves tohypochondrium. It should be noted that the kidney can be palpated only in very thin people, in all others it is not palpable.
• Second degree - in the vertical position of the patient, the kidney completely leaves the hypochondrium, but when lying down, it returns to its place. It can be pushed in with your hands without pain. At this stage of the disease, lower back pain becomes more intense and spreads to the abdomen. They increase with exercise and disappear when the patient lies down.
• Third - the kidney in any position comes out of the hypochondrium and can descend into the small pelvis. At the same time, patients complain of constant pain in the abdomen, which can radiate to the lumbar region. Blood appears in the urine after exercise.
Complications
It should be noted that nephroptosis is a pathological process that leads to serious consequences. With a significant displacement of the kidneys, the ureter twists and bends, as a result of which the normal outflow of urine is disturbed. This leads to expansion of the pelvis and provokes hydronephrotic transformation.
In most cases, stagnant urine causes pyelonephritis. Urolithiasis and hematuria (the appearance of blood impurities in the urine) can also be observed. In addition, nephroptosis can provoke spontaneous miscarriages, lead to a stroke and complete disability, so a timely visit to a doctor is the key to preventing a number of pathological conditions, which in some cases pose a threat to life.
Whenkidney prolapse develops, the consequences of this pathology may include arterial hypertension, which is associated with a violation of the blood supply to the diseased organ.
Conservative Therapy
Treatment of kidney prolapse depends on the degree of the disease. At the initial stages, orthopedic techniques are effective. Patients are encouraged to wear special bandages, which are made for each patient individually. It should be noted that they need to be put on in a supine position, and tightened during exhalation. A contraindication to such therapy is the fixation of a lowered kidney with adhesions.
If the cause of the pathology is a sharp weight loss, then the treatment of kidney prolapse must necessarily include an appropriate diet, the purpose of which is to increase the perirenal fat layer. Patients are also advised to limit s alt and meat in their diet to reduce the burden on the diseased organ.
To eliminate pain, patients are prescribed antispasmodics and painkillers. A positive effect is given by warm baths and a position with raised legs. If inflammation of the kidneys develops, antibiotic therapy is included in the complex treatment.
It is important to strengthen the muscle fibers of the abdominals and back. For this, massage courses are prescribed, as well as therapeutic exercises. At the first stage of kidney prolapse, spa treatment, limitation of physical activity and jumping are recommended.
Exercises to correct nephroptosis
A set of special exercises should be performedin the morning (on an empty stomach and on a soft rug). Before class, it is recommended to drink warm water. The duration of the exercises should be at least 30 minutes.
1. You need to lie on your back with your legs bent at the knees. When inhaling, you should inflate your stomach, holding your breath, and pull it in when exhaling.
2. Take the previous starting position. When inhaling - raise the top of the outstretched leg vertically, while exhaling - lower it.
3. Lie on your back and raise your legs, keeping your knees together. Take a breath and spread the limbs, and on the exhale cross them.
4. Lie on your back and put a roller under your lower back (you can use a pillow). Inhale - bend the right leg, exhale - lower it. Repeat with the left leg.
5. Lie on your back, place your arms along the body, bend your knees (feet should be on the floor), alternately raise your left and right legs.
6. In the prone position, bend the lower limbs at the knees, place the ball between them and squeeze it for a few seconds, repeating 4-5 times.
If performed correctly, such gymnastics when lowering the kidney gives a good therapeutic effect.
Surgical Therapy
Indicated for severe pain that leads to disability, chronic pyelonephritis with frequent exacerbations, as well as significant loss of kidney function. Surgical treatment of kidney prolapse is also used for orthostatic hypertension, hydronephrosis and bleeding.
If nephroptosis is accompanied by severeinflammatory process in the kidneys, antibiotic therapy is first performed. A few days before the operation, patients should sleep with their legs elevated. This contributes to the return of the lowered kidney to its normal position and facilitates the surgical intervention.
The essence of surgical treatment is to fix the kidneys to the muscles of the abdominal wall. It should be noted that there are several surgical techniques if kidney prolapse is diagnosed. The causes of this pathology, the features of its course and the presence of certain complications affect the method by which the surgeon will perform the surgical intervention.
Folk treatments for nephroptosis
Methods of traditional medicine can only prevent the progression of the disease and reduce the manifestations of pain. They cannot return the affected organ to its previous state.
Kidney prolapse develops. What to do? First you should consult with your doctor. He will determine the most optimal therapeutic tactics and the possibility of using one or another alternative method of treatment.
As a rule, to improve the functioning of the affected kidneys, it is recommended to wash the flax seeds with water, sprinkle them with powdered sugar and fry them in a dry frying pan, then take 1 tsp three times a day, chewing well. You can also brew the stems of kochia broom and take the resulting liquid before eating. A positive effect in nephroptosis is given by the use of an infusion of knotweed, rosehip leaves and echinacea flowers for a month, as well as taking baths ina decoction of straw and oats.
If the patient's condition does not improve, the therapeutic tactics should be changed.
Prevention of nephroptosis
Treatment of kidney prolapse is much more difficult than its prevention:
• it is necessary to monitor posture from childhood and prevent spinal deformities;
• If it is necessary to carry a load, then it should be evenly distributed between two hands.
• With asthenic type of structure, strength exercises are contraindicated.
• Excessive exercise, forced posture, prolonged standing or sitting, and exposure to vibration should be avoided.
• Prenatal bandage should be worn during pregnancy.
• You can not bring yourself to asthenia with debilitating diets.
• Care must be taken to avoid injuries, especially in the lumbar region.
• Need to strengthen the abdominal muscles. To do this, exercise regularly.
• If you experience any discomfort or nagging pain in the lower back, you should immediately consult a doctor, take the appropriate tests or undergo the necessary instrumental examinations. It is worth remembering that self-medication can lead to a number of severe kidney diseases or even loss of the affected organ.
