Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) often doesn't have a distinct "feeling" or noticeable symptoms on its own. It typically does not cause pain or make it difficult to pass urine. This means that many individuals, particularly children, may not even realize they have VUR until complications arise.
The Subtle Nature of VUR
The primary characteristic of VUR is the backward flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters, and sometimes up to the kidneys. Because this is an internal anatomical issue, it generally doesn't directly stimulate pain receptors or interfere with the urinary stream in a way that causes immediate discomfort or sensation.
Why VUR Often Goes Unnoticed
The absence of direct symptoms means VUR is frequently discovered incidentally or when complications, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), prompt medical investigation. The reflux itself is a silent process.
Potential Indirect Signs and Complications
While VUR itself does not typically cause direct symptoms or sensations, its presence can lead to complications that do present with noticeable signs. These are not what VUR "feels like," but rather what its consequences might feel like:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): VUR can increase the likelihood of developing UTIs. A UTI can cause symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Abdominal or flank pain
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- In infants, irritability, poor feeding, or unexplained fever
It is often through recurrent UTIs that VUR is eventually suspected and diagnosed.
- Kidney Health Concerns: More severe VUR is linked to a higher risk of kidney damage, especially if an infection is present and travels to the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Some children born with VUR may also be born with pre-existing kidney disease. While VUR itself doesn't cause kidney disease symptoms, significant kidney damage could potentially lead to more general symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or changes in urine output, but these are advanced signs of kidney dysfunction, not VUR directly.
In summary, VUR itself is largely asymptomatic, meaning it doesn't typically cause specific sensations like pain or difficulty with urination. When symptoms are present, they are usually a result of associated conditions or complications, most commonly urinary tract infections.