What could be a complication of untreated renal calculi?

Untreated renal calculi, commonly known as kidney stones, can lead to various complications, one of which is a kidney infection. When a kidney stone obstructs the urinary tract, it can prevent urine from flowing properly. This buildup of urine can create a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to infection in the kidneys, also known as pyelonephritis.

The presence of stones can cause irritation and inflammation in the urinary tract, further increasing the risk of infection. If bacteria ascend from the bladder, or if urine stagnates due to blockage, kidney infections can develop quickly, resulting in symptoms such as fever, flank pain, nausea, and changes in urine color or odor.

While dehydration, high blood pressure, and stroke do have associations with kidney issues or bodily systems, they are not direct complications of untreated renal calculi in the same way that kidney infection is. Severe dehydration can occur from various conditions, but it is not a primary consequence of having kidney stones. High blood pressure can be affected by kidney health in general, but it is not a direct outcome of stones alone. Stroke is typically related to cardiovascular conditions rather than kidney stones specifically. Thus, a kidney infection is the most relevant complication arising from untreated renal calculi.