Urinary Obstruction

About Urinary Obstruction

Urinary Obstruction is any alteration of the flow of urine as it travels from the kidneys through the urethra.  A blockage of the urethra may be caused by a variety of conditions including ureteral stones, a blood clot, infection, prostate enlargement, compression from a tumor or other organs, and pregnancy.  The ureter tube may also become narrowed, referred to as ureteral stricture.  In either case, urine can back up into the kidney causing back and side pain, occasional kidney infections, kidney stones, or kidney damage.  Ureteral stricture can also be caused by injury to the ureter, such as from inflammation or scarring that has occurred during surgery (removal of the tumor at or near the ureter tube).  Symptoms of ureteral stricture may also include the feeling of bladder fullness, blood in the urine, nausea, urinary tract infections, and the onset of pain from drinking increased fluids or alcohol.