Floating kidney is a condition that is also termed as hypermobile kidney or the wandering kidney. The medical name of such a condition is nephroptosis. In such a condition the kidney is seen to drop downwards when a person stands up or is transiting from a lying down to an upright position. It is also known as the kidney prolapse condition. The kidney moving downward suggests that it is not fixed fully by the tissues that surround it. Such a condition is not uncommon and has been noted over a century by physicians in many cases.
Causes Of Floating kidney
The causes of floating kidney can be several:- Mostly young women who have thin and long waists are affected by such a condition.
- It is not a condition that is brought on by congenital defect. If one receives a blow to the kidney or in an area above or below where the kidney is, they might suffer from a floating kidney condition
- It is known that kidneys are supported by the perirenal fasciae which is a soft connective tissue. When such tissue is damaged or not present in abundance, it can lead to floating kidney. When one stands up in such a condition, the kidney then falls as low as the pelvic area
Floating kidney Symptoms
While such a physiological condition occurs rarely in some people, symptoms may or may not be apparent. If symptoms are apparent, they are:- Distinct discomfort is felt and there is pain in the flank area
- One may suffer from nausea, chills as well as have high blood pressure
- If the kidney is displaced, it could cause the ureter to kink
- That could result in pain during urinating
Diagnosis of such a condition is done in the following manner:
- A series of X-rays are taken in the supine or the standing position
- When the condition does not bring on any pain or discomfort, there is no diagnosis done or the need for treatment
Treatment For Floating kidney
When one suffers from the floating kidney condition but suffers no symptoms, then no treatment is required. If the ureter becomes kinked and causes pain along with nausea, vomiting and constipation, one could try the following home remedies:- Lying in bed and remaining warm
- Warm bottles can be applied to the side abdomen area
- A fattening diet should be given in order to increase the fat around the kidney which will provide adequate support to it
- Often a specially designed belt with rubber padding is proposed to be worn around the area in order to provide support to the kidney and to provide relief from discomfort.
