Obstruction or urine flow blockage in the urinary tract put a person at a greater risk for developing what?
a. pyelonephritis
b. pyelitis
c. tumors
d. prostate enlargement
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a. pyelonephritis.
Urinary tract obstructions, whether due to kidney stones, tumors, or other blockages, can lead to a variety of complications. One of the most serious risks is pyelonephritis, which is a type of kidney infection. When there is an obstruction, urine may back up into the kidneys, creating an environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. This can lead to an infection that spreads to the kidneys, causing inflammation and infection of the renal tissue.
Normally, urine is filtered in the kidneys and flows freely down the ureters into the bladder. However, when a blockage occurs in any part of the urinary tract, it disrupts this flow, leading to a condition known as hydronephrosis. This is the swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine. Hydronephrosis increases the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and if left untreated, the infection can ascend from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys, resulting in pyelonephritis.
Symptoms of pyelonephritis include fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, and vomiting. If the infection is not treated with antibiotics, it can lead to sepsis, kidney damage, and other serious complications.
While pyelitis (inflammation of the renal pelvis) can also result from a UTI, it typically refers to a less severe form of infection localized to the pelvis of the kidney. Prostate enlargement (BPH) and tumors are unrelated to the direct risk posed by urinary tract obstruction. Therefore, pyelonephritis is the most immediate risk when there is a blockage in the urinary tract.