What is a kidney infection?
Pyelonephritis is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and can travel to one or both of your kidneys.
If you have a kidney infection, you need to go to the doctor right away. If the infection isn't treated, it can damage your kidneys or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.
If you are being treated for a kidney infection, it might require hospitalization.
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Explanation of medical terms and concepts Kidney infection
Your kidneys’ main job is to get rid of waste and take further water from your blood. They’re a part of your tract, that makes liquid waste (urine) and removes it from your body. just like the exhaust on your automotive, you would like everything to figure love it ought to therefore waste moves in one direction only: out.
Your tract is formed from your:
If any of those elements gets germs in it, you'll get a UTI. Most often, your bladder gets infected initial. this could be painful however isn’t typically serious.
But if the dangerous bacterium or viruses travel up your ureters, you'll get a urinary organ infection. If left untreated, a urinary organ infection will cause severe issues.
Symptoms Kidney infection
Some signs and symptoms of a kidney infection might include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Back, side (flank) or groin pain
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
- Strong, persistent urge to urinate
- Burning sensation or pain when urinating
- Feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up.
- Blood or pus in your urine is called hematuria.
- Urine that smells bad or is cloudy
When to see a doctor
If you have worrisome symptoms or signs, please see your doctor. If you are being treated for a urinary tract infection but your symptoms are not improving, please make an appointment.
If you have kidney infection symptoms, such as bloody urine or nausea and vomiting, go to the hospital right away. This can be a life-threatening complication of severe kidney infection.
Causes Kidney infection
If bacteria enter your urinary tract through the tube that carries urine from your body, this can lead to kidney infection.
If you have an infection elsewhere in your body, bacteria from that infection can also spread through your bloodstream and reach your kidneys. It is unusual to develop a kidney infection, but it can happen - for instance if you have an artificial joint or heart valve that's infected.
It is rare for someone to get a kidney infection after having kidney surgery.
Risk factors Kidney infection
There are some things that make you more likely to get a kidney infection, including:
Being female.Women have a shorter urethra than men, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder. The close proximity of the urethra to the vagina and anus also increases the chances for bacteria to enter the bladder.
If an infection is present in the bladder, it can easily spread to the kidneys. This is especially true for pregnant women - they are at a much higher risk of getting a kidney infection.
- Having a urinary tract blockage.This includes anything that makes it difficult to urinate or that reduces your ability to empty your bladder — like a kidney stone, a structural abnormality in your urinary tract, or an enlarged prostate gland in men.
- Having a weakened immune system.Immune system problems can include diabetes and HIV. Certain medications taken to prevent organ rejection have a similar effect.
- Having problems with your bladder.If nerve or spinal cord damage blocks the sensations of a bladder infection, you might not be aware when it becomes a kidney infection.
- Using a urinary catheter for a time.Urinary catheters are tubes that are used to drain urine from the bladder. You might have one placed during or after some surgical procedures and diagnostic tests. You might use it continuously if you're confined to a bed.
- A condition that causes urine to flow in the wrong direction is called a urinary tract infection.People with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) experience small amounts of urine flowing back up their urinary tracts. This condition is associated with an increased risk of kidney infection in childhood and adulthood.
Complications
If left untreated, a kidney infection can lead to serious complications such as:
- Kidney scarring.Chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and kidney failure can occur as a result of this practice.
- Blood poisoning (septicemia).Your kidneys filter waste from your blood and send it back to the rest of your body. If you have a kidney infection, the bacteria can spread through your bloodstream.
- Pregnancy problems.Women who develop a kidney infection during pregnancy are at an increased risk of delivering babies that are low birth weight.
Prevention Kidney infection
To reduce your risk of getting a kidney infection, take steps to prevent UTIs. Women in particular can lower their risk of UTIs by doing the following:
- Drink fluids, especially water.Urinating can help remove bacteria from your body. Fluid intake can help make this process easier.
- Urinate as soon as you need to.Do not try to hold back urine when you feel the urge to go.
- Empty the bladder after intercourse.Urinating as soon as possible after sex helps clear bacteria from the urethra, reducing your risk of infection.
- Wipe carefully.After urinating or going to the bathroom, it is helpful to wipe from front to back. This will prevent bacteria from spreading to the urinary tract or gastrointestinal system.
- Do not use feminine products near the genital area.Products such as deodorant sprays or douches can be irritating when used in the genital area or the rectum.
Diagnosis Kidney infection
If you think you may have a kidney infection, you will likely be asked to provide a urine sample for testing for bacteria. Your doctor might also take a blood sample for a culture to check if there are any bacteria present.
Other tests might include an ultrasound scan or a bladder X-ray called a voiding cystourethrogram. This test involves injecting a contrast dye to take X-rays of the bladder while it is full and while urinating.
Treatment Kidney infection
Antibiotics for kidney infections
If you have a kidney infection, antibiotics are the first line of treatment. The type of drugs you take and for how long will depend on your health and the bacteria found in your urine tests.
Treatment for a kidney infection usually begins to improve the symptoms within a few days. However, you might need to continue taking antibiotics for a week or more even after you feel better. Follow the entire course of antibiotics recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor might recommend a urine culture test to make sure the infection has been eliminated.If you still have the infection, you will need to take another course of antibiotics.
People who get severe kidney infections go to the hospital.
If you have a kidney infection, your doctor might admit you to the hospital. Treatment might include antibiotics and fluids that are given intravenously. It is difficult to say how long you will stay in the hospital, depending on how severe your condition is.
If you have a kidney infection, there are treatments available to you.
A medical problem such as a misshapen urinary tract can cause you to get repeated kidney infections. If this is the case, you might be referred to a nephrologist or urologist for an evaluation. You might need surgery to repair a structural abnormality.
Lifestyle and home remedies
To reduce discomfort while you are recovering from a kidney infection, you might:
- Apply heat.If you are experiencing pain, you can use a heating pad to ease the discomfort.
- Use pain medicine.If you have a fever or are uncomfortable, take a pain reliever other than aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin IB Advil).
- Stay hydrated.Drink fluids to help flush bacteria from your urinary tract. Wait until your infection has cleared before drinking coffee or alcohol. These substances can make the feeling of needing to urinate worse.
Preparing for your appointment
If your doctor suspects that you have an infection that has spread to your kidneys, you might be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating conditions that affect the urinary tract (urologist).
What you can do
When you make the appointment, ask if there are any requirements that must be followed in advance, such as restricting your diet.
Make a list of:
- Your symptoms,Please bring any papers or objects that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment, and start bringing them in when they began happening.
- Key personal information,Some factors that can affect the symptoms of a UTI include recent life changes, such as a new sexual partner or if you've had previous urinary tract infections.
- All the medications, vitamins, and other supplements you take will end up in your body. including doses
- Questions to ask your doctor
It is best to have someone else with you while you are learning this information.
To ask your doctor about kidney infection questions, include:
- What could have caused my kidney infection?
- What tests do I need?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- What are the potential side effects of taking the medication?
- Will I need to be hospitalized?
- How can I prevent future kidney infections?
- I have other health problems. How can I manage them together?
- Can I have brochures or other printed material? What websites do you think I should visit?
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask you questions such as:
- Has your illness been constant or have episodes come and gone?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What if anything seems to help improve your symptoms?
- What should I do if my symptoms seem to worsen?
General summary
What are the warning signs of kidney infection?
The primary symptoms of kidney infection include: Severe pain in the lower back which may radiate to the hip area High fever greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) Nausea and vomiting during the first day or two of infection Painful urination and a burning sensation while passing urine Infecting bacteria can travel upwards through the ureters that carry urine from kidneys to bladder This causes painful burning feeling when trying to urinate Sometimes patients who experience this symptom do not pass urine due to intense pain but they still have dull ache in lower back The patient
Remember that prevention is always better than a cure so it would be wise to take measures to prevent kidney infection from occurring rather than suffer its pain and discomfort later on Here are some tips for your consideration: · Take good care of your health by eating healthy incorporating exercise in your daily routine maintaining normal body weight and avoiding risky habits such as smoking Nowadays there is treatment for the kidneys which can be taken to aid in preventing damage caused by kidney disease You need to protect yourself against environmental hazards like second-hand tobacco smoke at all times Keep away from people who use tobacco or smoking products such as pipes and
Can you survive kidney infection?
Although there are several kidney infections symptoms sometimes they’re not as clear and you might have to pay attention to other signs One of the common symptoms of kidney infection is chest pain which can result from a urinary tract infection (UTI) or it can be part of a heart attack symptom Other symptoms include loss of appetite nausea and vomiting weakness fatigue and chills If you notice these symptoms accompanied by the right indications that point towards a UTI then visit your doctor without delay to seek treatment
How long does a kidney infection last?
Kidney infections also called pyelonephritis or kidney inflammation can be caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and travel to the bladder Once in the bladder these organisms can grow and multiply quickly In women the infection usually begins in the urethra where it connects with the bladder Men have a narrower urethra which leads directly into their bladders So men are more likely to get kidney infections than women because they’re more vulnerable to pathogens from urine reaching their bladders through this unprotected area Apart from people with urinary tract issues such as diabetes or infections of their prostate glands
It is important to monitor your kidneys for signs of infection as infections can occur without any symptoms If you do have symptoms they include a sudden urge to urinate increased frequency and burning sensation when urinating blood in the urine or pain in the lower back and sides If you experience these from time to time but not all the time it’s probably nothing serious Consult with your doctor when you first notice any of these symptoms and if he/she declares them normal for you then listen carefully for any changes Home remedies are also helpful like drinking lots of water eating fruits that contain diuretic properties (
kidney infection home remedies
A kidney infection is common and many people are able to treat it without medical help Signs of a kidney infection include fever chills nausea and vomiting backache or side pain frequent urination and pink or bloody urine A doctor might prescribe antibiotics to prevent complications of a kidney infection In some cases a doctor may insert a catheter into the penis (urethra) to drain the urine from the bladder in order to relieve pressure on the bladder wall and promote healing
india To treat a kidney infection at home consume one teaspoon of cranberry juice or drink 1 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice blend per day Drink the juice regularly for about three weeks to get rid of the infection In addition you can also drink additional fluids if your urine is dark in color; this helps to flush out toxins and bacteria that cause infections