What is Vesicoureteral reflux? Symptoms & Treatment
Feb 01, 2023
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an important condition that can affect the kidneys and urinary tract. It occurs when urine flows backwards from the bladder into the ureters and sometimes even into the kidneys. VUR can lead to serious complications if left untreated, including infection and kidney damage. Fortunately, there are treatments available for vesicoureteral reflux that can help reduce the risk of serious complications. In this article, we will discuss what vesicoureteral reflux is, its causes and symptoms, as well as treatment options.
Read on to find out more about Vesicoureteral reflux.
1.What is VUR?
Vesicoureteral reflux is the abnormal flow of urine from your bladder back up the tubes (ureters) that connect your kidneys to your bladder. Normally, urine flows from your kidneys through the ureters down to your bladder. It’s not supposed to flow back up.
2. What are the symptoms of urinary reflux?
Urinary reflux itself does not cause symptoms. But children may have symptoms if a urinary tract infection develops. Then children may have fever, may have pain in their abdomen or back, and may urinate more than normal or have burning when they urinate.
3. Diagnosing Vesicoureteral Reflux
Reflux is diagnosed using an x-ray called a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), or a nuclear cystogram. Both tests involve a urinary catheter (tube) placed into the child’s bladder to fill the bladder with x-ray dye or radioactive material.
4.Can VUR cause kidney failure?
When a child has VUR, urine backs up into the kidney. Sometimes the urine contains bacteria that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bacteria in the kidney can lead to damage over time, which may eventually lead to kidney failure and/or high blood pressure.
5. Is VUR a birth defect?
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the upper urinary tract and it is the most common urological anomaly in children. Primary VUR is a congenital condition caused by the abnormal development and malfunction of the ureterovesical junction (UVJ).
6. How does the vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grading system work?
The grades are one through five. Five is the most severe form of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The grading system is based on how far the urine backs up into the urinary tract and on the width of the ureter(s).
7. What causes vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in adults?
Adults with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) typically have had benign prostate hypertrophy, neurogenic bladder, or they have had surgery in the regions of the body near the ureters.