Urinary obstruction caused by any condition can lead to complications like kidney stones and kidney failure. Therefore, any and every symptom you might be suffering should be noted, and necessary diagnostic procedures should be conducted. However, people often tend to ignore their symptoms, leading to bigger complications. One such condition, the most common cause of urinary obstruction, is a ureteric stricture. 

The symptoms of ureteric stricture are similar to that of urethral stricture and kidney stones. However, being aware of what causes ureteric stricture and the alarming symptoms of the condition can ensure that further complications and confusion do not arise between all these conditions in the future. So let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms, and how to recognize if you’re suffering from ureteric stricture. 

Causes of Ureteric Stricture

There are no primary ureteric stricture causes or risk factors. Unlike other health conditions, there are no clear causes of why you get ureteric stricture. The when is still a bit clearer, stating that this condition generally only affects people over 40. However, exceptions are possible. Coming to the causes, you can think of them as risk factors equally because most of these causes are also risk factors for ureteric strictures. So, what are these causes/ risk factors? Let’s find out.

• Injury: Any injury to your ureter can lead to ureteric strictures. The concern is that the injury could have occurred years earlier, but it can still cause strictures today. Similarly, the exact nature of the injury that can cause this damage is also unknown. In most cases, severe injuries like car crashes, accidents, or falls can cause this condition.
   
• Radiation Therapy: In rare cases, radiation therapy for prostate cancer or cervical cancer can cause ureteric strictures. Similar to the ureteric injury, the radiation therapy taken years earlier can cause strictures today.
   
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs): UTIs are among the most common causes of ureteric strictures. No matter the reason why you got the infection, it can severely increase your risk of getting a ureteral stricture now or in the future. Treating your UTI promptly and keeping yourself safe from them are some of the only ways to keep your risk in check.
   
• Surgery: Any surgery in your pelvic region can accidentally damage your ureter and cause ureteric strictures in the future. Surgery is also among the top ureteric stricture risk factors. To be safe, you must get your procedures done from experienced and qualified institutions that can ensure minimal risk of future strictures like MASSH.
   
• Congenital Causes: Birth defects can also cause ureteric strictures in cases where the patient is born with a narrow ureter. Congenital causes can be a reason for ureteric strictures for patients below 40.

These are the most prominent causes and risk factors for ureteral strictures. Now that you know the causes, let’s explore the various symptoms of ureteral strictures and how you can identify them.

Ureteric Stricture Symptoms

Ureteric strictures have different types of symptoms, some of which may be early indicators, while others are signs that the condition has become severe. Diagnosing this condition by yourself at home is quite tricky, considering you have limited opportunities to do so unless the condition has reached an advanced stage. Here are the most important symptoms of ureteral strictures of which you must be aware.

• Difficulty Urinating: One of the most common and early symptoms of ureteric stricture can be difficulty urinating and maintaining a steady stream of urine. You can also have difficulty starting to urinate, matched with pain during urination. These symptoms are not very indicative of ureteric stricture without a medical diagnosis. However, they can certainly tell you that something is not right with your urinary system.
   
• Lower Back Pain: Ureteric strictures, in most cases, occur close to your kidneys, which are situated in your lower back. Difficulty in passing urine through your narrow ureters can lead to pain in your kidneys. It can also lead to loin lumps, which is an unusual enlargement of the kidneys. It can be caused by the ureteral stricture that is blocking your urine flow. The pain can be on either side or both based on if you have strictures in one or both of your ureters. If you have lower back pain that seems to increase with time, it can be indicative of kidney problems. Usually, the pain is accompanied by some other symptoms, which will help you understand your condition better.
   
• Nausea & Vomiting: Nausea and vomiting, along with stagnant lower back pain, can be a serious indication of kidney problems. If you are also having trouble urinating, it can be a clear sign of ureteral strictures. These symptoms, when they show up at the same time, can be a telltale sign of ureteral strictures, and you should get immediate medical help if you have them.
   
• Recurring Urinary Tract Infections: Recurring UTIs can also be an important symptom of ureteric strictures. When the urine can’t flow normally through the ureter, it backs up into the kidney, which can cause inflammation in your kidneys like loin lumps. These conditions can increase the risk of UTIs, which can show themselves by increasing your difficulty and having pain and a burning sensation in your urethra while you are urinating. Any recurring infection in your body can take a serious toll on your immunity and overall health. Be sure to get the required medical attention if you are exhibiting these symptoms.
   
• Blood In Your Urine Or Semen: Having blood in your urine is a surefire symptom of serious urinary conditions in your body. While this symptom can be indicative of several conditions, including prostate cancer, the important thing, in this case, is to seek medical attention immediately. Having blood in your urine or semen in connection with ureteric strictures can indicate kidney damage, which could lead to kidney failure. It can be a fatal condition if action is not taken against it in a timely fashion.

How Do You Recognize Ureteric Stricture Symptoms?

Diagnosing ureteric strictures at home has its own limitations. However, if you are watchfully monitoring your symptoms, you can get an indication if your symptoms are of ureteric stricture or not. Be sure that watchfully monitoring on your own cognizance is not a bright idea. You should talk to your doctor first and then wait after taking their advice.

When it comes to ureteric strictures, difficulty urinating, matched with lower back pain or discomfort inside your body, can be indicative of ureteric strictures. If you notice you have symptoms like nausea, fever, chills, and vomiting alongside, it can support your initial diagnosis. And lastly, seeing blood in your urine matched with the other symptoms discussed so far can point toward ureteric strictures.

It is important to know that while these symptoms can point towards ureteric stricture, they can be something else too. All these symptoms clearly indicate is that something is not right with your urinary health, and only with a proper medical diagnosis can you certainly know if you have ureteric strictures or not.

Doctors use different types of diagnostic tests, including blood tests, urinalysis, and different types of imaging tests such as X-rays and ureteroscopy. These medical tests can help doctors understand if you have ureteric strictures or not. Based on their diagnosis, they will offer you a treatment plan that allows for quick recovery and effective treatment of your strictures and symptoms.

Conclusion

Ureteric strictures can be difficult to manage by yourself because they can affect your kidneys. Kidneys are crucial for your survival, and damage to them can be fatal in some cases. So, if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms or if you happen to have any of the risk factors discussed here, you should consult a doctor. 

And not just any doctor; you need the help of experienced doctors that can help you navigate through the treatment of ureteric strictures without increasing your risk of recurrence or other urological conditions. For such holistic care, you need MASSH. We specialize in minimally invasive treatment options for ureteric strictures that allow you to recover quickly without hampering your urological health. Visit our website today to learn more about our treatment options.