Some things good to know about pyelonephritis
- By:groshan fabiola
A bacterial infection of the kidney, known under the name of pyelonephritis can be a serious condition, because the important function of the kidneys is affected and the infection can enter the bloodstream.
It is known that kidney infections appear more often in women than in men, and these infections can also cause pregnant women to go into labor too early.
Usually, kidney infections result from lower urinary tract infections. A women’s urethra is short, about 2 inches, and is situated just above the vagina. Because of the location of the urethra, bacteria can travel from the vagina or rectal area into the urethra and bladder.
In men, the urethra is much longer, so bacteria must travel a longer distance till it reaches the bladder.
It was seen that if a person has a bladder infection, it appears the possibility that infected urine moves into the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. Also, if a person has a blockage from a kidney stone, or an abnormal urinary system, there is an increased risk of developing pyelonephritis.
The symptoms of pyelonephritis vary from mild to very severe. We can mention fever, chills or sweats, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal or back pain, pain when urinating, a frequent urge to urinate.
Sometimes, it is difficult to determine if the symptoms are caused by a urinary tract infection or by pyelonephritis. Ignoring the symptoms is not a solution, it is needed immediate medical help.
The doctor will perform a physical exam, he will check for the pain in the kidney area, and he will also ask if you had a recently urinary tract infection. Also, a urine sample will be demanded, for lab testing.
Usually, antibiotics are prescribed, and if, after 24 hours after you started the treatment, the symptoms ease, you can continue the treatment at home. In serious cases, hospitalization is needed.
Usually, antibiotics must be taken for at least 7 days, in order to kill all bacteria and prevent the infection from coming back. If the symptoms are mild, you start feeling better in 1-2 days, but in severe cases recovery can take days. It is known that complications of pyelonephritis appear in rare cases if a proper treatment is followed, but if symptoms return after you finished the treatment, more tests are necessary.
It is important to observe if the symptoms get better after you started the treatment, to drink a lot of fluids, to take all your medicine as the doctor prescribed, and to tell the doctor as soon as you notice a symptom gets worse or comes back.
It is known that the best way to prevent kidney infections, is to prevent bladder infections. Women can try to prevent these infections by drinking plenty of water and noncaffeinated drinks, practicing good hygiene when they use the toilet, urinate to empty your bladder after sexual intercourse, and avoid irritating cosmetics or chemicals in the area of the vagina and urethra.
Men can also drink plenty of fluids and practice good genital hygiene.About the author:
For more resources about kidney infection or especially about please review kidney infection symptoms please review http://www.kidney-infection-center.com/kidney-infection-symptoms.htm