Treatment

Treatment for hydronephrosis depends on the underlying cause. Although surgery is sometimes needed, hydronephrosis often resolves on its own.

• Mild to moderate hydronephrosis. Your doctor may opt for a wait-and-see approach to see if you get better on your own. Even so, your doctor may recommend preventive antibiotic therapy to lower the risk of urinary tract infections.
• Severe hydronephrosis. When hydronephrosis makes it hard for the kidney to function — as can happen in more-severe hydronephrosis or in hydronephrosis that involves reflux — surgery may be recommended to fix a blockage or correct reflux.

Left untreated, severe hydronephrosis can lead to permanent kidney damage. Rarely, it can cause kidney failure. But hydronephrosis typically affects only one kidney and the other kidney can do the work for both.