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Treatment for Urine Reflux

The medical term for urine reflux is vesicouretaral reflux or VUR. According to the urology channel VUR is when the bladder backs up into the tube that takes urine from the kidney to the ureter when you urinate. Children are susceptible to this condition but often grow out of it as their urethra elongates. There are two types of VUR--primary and secondary--and they are further divided by grades of severity. It is found most often in females and children with red hair.

  1. The Grade of the Urine Reflux

    • Urine reflux is treated according to the grade it is has been rated. Grade I describes the mildest of conditions in which there is urine reflux only into the ureter. Grade II is the same as Grade I but the urine also enters the renal pelvis. Grade III is the same as Grade II, but mild hydronephrosis develops. Grade IV means that moderate hydronephrosis is present and Grade V has severe hydronephrosis and the ureter is twisted.

    Grades I -- III

    • When treating urine reflux grades I through III an antibiotic such as trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole or amoxicillin is recommended. The patient maintains this dosage until the condition clears or for children when they reach 5 years old. An urologist should monitor this condition.

    Grades IV and V and Secondary Reflux

    • Urine reflux grades IV and V along with secondary reflux are also treated with antibiotics and may require surgery. Surgery is recommended if a ureter is at an improper angle, or when kidneys are not growing normally. According to Penn State University College of Medicine, they may not be caused by an infection but caused by some sort of blockage.

    If Treatment is not Received

    • If treatment for urine reflux is not administered, there are several health risk factors involved.
      Kidney or renal scarring, known as nephropathy, results in permanent kidney tissue damage and that makes it difficult for the kidneys to do their job. This can result in high blood pressure or hypertension. Loss of kidney function can result in kidney failure, which can be fatal. Dialysis is needed if this happens to remove waste from your blood when your own kidneys cannot. The most extreme cases that go without urine reflux treatment can result in chronic kidney failure, which means that your kidneys have lost 15 percent or more of their ability.

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