what is the kidney infection?

Question

neprology disece

Answer 1

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Alternative names

Urinary tract infection - complicated; Infection - kidney; Complicated urinary tract infection; Pyelonephritis
Definition

Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney and the ducts that carry urine away from the kidney (ureters).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pyelonephritis most often occurs as a result of urinary tract infection, particularly in the presence of occasional or persistent backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters or kidney pelvis (vesicoureteric reflux).

Pyelonephritis can be further classified as follows:

Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis (sudden development of kidney inflammation)
Chronic pyelonephritis (a long-standing infection that does not clear)
Although cystitis (bladder infection) is common, pyelonephritis occurs much less often. The risk is increased if there is a history of cystitis, renal papillary necrosis, kidney stones, vesicoureteric reflux, or obstructive uropathy.

The risk is also increased when there is a history of chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection and when the infection is caused by a particularly aggressive type of bacteria.

Acute pyelonephritis can be severe in the elderly and in people who are immunosuppressed (for example, those with cancer or AIDS).

Symptoms

Flank pain or back pain
Severe abdominal pain (occurs occasionally)
Fever
Higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
Persists for more than 2 days
Chills with shaking
Warm skin
Flushed or reddened skin
Moist skin (diaphoresis)
Vomiting, nausea
Fatigue
General ill feeling
Painful urination
Increased urinary frequency or urgency
Need to urinate at night (nocturia)
Cloudy or abnormal urine color
Blood in the urine
Foul or strong urine odor
Mental changes or confusion *
* Sometimes in the elderly, mental changes or confusion are the only signs of a urinary tract infection.
Signs and tests

An examination may show tenderness on palpation (pressing) over the kidney.

A urinalysis commonly reveals white blood cells (WBCs) or red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine.
A urine culture from aclean catch or urine culture (catheterized specimen) may reveal bacteria in the urine.
A blood culture may show an infection.
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or CT scan of the abdomen may show enlarged kidneys with poor flow of dye through the kidneys. IVP and CT scan of the abdomen can also indicate underlying disorders.
Underlying abnormalities of the kidney that put a patient at high risk for acute pyelonephritis may be discovered by additional tests and procedures, including the following:
Voiding cystourethrogram
Renal ultrasound
Renal scan
Renal biopsy
Treatment

The goals of treatment are control of the infection and reduction of symptoms. Acute symptoms usually disappear within 48 to 72 hours after appropriate treatment.

Due to the high mortality rate in the elderly population and the risk of complications, prompt treatment is recommended.

After obtaining a urine culture to identify the bacteria, antibiotics are selected to treat the infection.

MEDICATIONS

Intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be used initially to control the bacterial infection if your infection is severe or you cannot take antibiotics by mouth. In acute cases of pyelonephritis, you may receive a 10- to 14-day course of antibiotics.

Chronic pyelonephritis may require long-term antibiotic therapy. It is imperative that you finish taking the entire course of prescribed antibiotics. Commonly used antibiotics include the following:

Sulfa drugs such as sulfisoxazole/trimethoprim
Amoxicillin
Cephalosporins
Levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin
Permanent kidney damage can rarely result from these infections when they are chronic, when they occur in a transplanted kidney, or when multiple infections occur during infancy or childhood. Acute kidney injury (acute renal failure) may occur when an infection is severe enough to result in shock (low blood pressure). Severe episodes of acute kidney injury may result in permanent kidney damage and lead to chronic kidney disease.

The elderly, infants, and people with a compromised immune system are at increased risk for developing sepsis (a severe blood infection) and shock. Often, these people will be admitted to the hospital to receive frequent monitoring for potential problems and to receive IV antibiotics, additional IV fluids, and other medications as necessary.

MONITORING

In diabetic patients and pregnant women, as well as in people with spinal paralysis, follow-up should include a urine culture at the completion of antibiotic therapy to ensure that bacteria are no longer present in the urine.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most cases of pyelonephritis get better without complication after the treatment. However, the treatment may need to be aggressive or prolonged. If sepsis occurs, it can be fatal.

Complications

Recurrence of pyelonephritis
Perinephric abscess (infection around the kidney)
Sepsis
Acute renal failure
Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if symptoms suggesting pyelonephritis occur.

If you have pyelonephritis, call your health care provider if new symptoms develop, especially decreased urine output, persistent high fever, or severe flank pain or back pain.

Prevention

Prompt and complete treatment of cystitis (bladder infection) may prevent development of many cases of pyelonephritis. Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection should be treated thoroughly because of the chance of infection of the kidneys.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Preventive measures may reduce symptoms and prevent recurrence of infection. Keeping the genital area clean and remembering to wipe from front to back may reduce the chance of introducing bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

Urinating immediately after sexual intercourse may help eliminate any bacteria that may have been introduced during intercourse. Refraining from urinating for long period of time may allow bacteria time to multiply, so frequent urination may reduce the risk of cystitis in those who are prone to urinary tract infections.

DIET

Increasing the intake of fluids (64 to 128 ounces per day) encourages frequent urination that flushes bacteria from the bladder. Drinking cranberry juice prevents certain types of bacteria from attaching to the wall of the bladder and may lessen the chance of infection.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Improve Kidney Function Starting Today - http://HealKidney.neatprim.com

Answer 5

Kidney Infection/Kidney site should offer more information.

Answer 6

I couldn't just sit around and do nothing like my doctors suggested.

They didn't want me to do anything or to take herbs or herbal remedies, but I had to try something - they just wanted me to do dialysis!

This program allowed me to take control of my health. I went from Stage 4 to Stage 3 kidney disease.

It was easy to do and my BUN, creatinine and anemia are all in better ranges.

Reversing Your Kidney Disease?

Answer 7

Heal Kidney Disease Forever : http://NaturallyGo.com/Official

Answer 8

IT IS THE INVASION OF KIDNEYS BY PATHOGENS [DISEASE PRODUCING ORGANISM] .IT CAN BE IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE KIDNEY AND CAN ASSUME DIFFERENT FORMS HENCE CLASSIFIED ACCORDINGLY. TREATMENT IS BY IDENTIFYING THE ORGANISM , REMOVING ANY PREDISPOSING FACTORS AND DRUGS.

Answer 9

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Known medically as pyelonephritis (PI-low-nef-RI-tis), kidney infections usually start in the bladder. If your resistance is low, germs from the bladder can travel up the tubes (ureters) that lead to the kidneys, take up residence, and multiply. An acute kidney infection starts suddenly with severe symptoms, then quickly comes to an end. A chronic kidney infection develops slowly, grows steadily worse, and hangs on. The chronic variety can lead to kidney failure.

Causes
Conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, cancer, kidney stones, and abnormalities of the urinary tract can lower your ability to fight off the bacteria that cause kidney infections. Foley catheters (tubes inserted through the urethra to drain the bladder) can also lead to infection if left in place for extended periods. Women sometimes contract kidney infections when bacteria get into the urinary tract following sex.

Signs/Symptoms
Usually symptoms come on very fast. They include fever, chills, pain, upset stomach, low back pain, vomiting, a constant need to urinate or an inability to urinate at all, blood in the urine, and pain or a burning sensation during urination.

Care
The doctor will send a sample of your urine to a lab for tests. Whether you need to be hospitalized or not depends on how sick you are. Either way you will need to take antibiotic medicine to fight the infection. If this is an ongoing problem, you may need additional tests to find the cause.

Risks
Without care, you may get repeated kidney infections and even kidney failure. The infection could also spread to other parts of your body and cause worse problems.

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're There
You may encounter the following procedures and equipment during your stay:

Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
Pulse Oximeter: With a little clip connected to your ear, finger, or toe, this machine measures the oxygen in your blood.
Blood Tests: You may need blood taken for tests. It can be drawn from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow. Several samples may be needed.
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
Strict Intake/Output: Your doctor may need to know the amount of liquid you are taking in versus the amount you lose in your urine. This is often called an "I&O."
Unless told otherwise, drink 6 to 8 large glasses of water each day. Keep a record of exactly how much liquid you drink.
Your output of urine may have to be measured. Ask your doctor whether it's OK to use the toilet.
Antibiotics: You'll need antibiotics to fight the infection. They can be given by IV, as shots, or by mouth.
Other Medicines: Your doctor can prescribe medicine for pain. If it upsets your stomach, you may also need anti-nausea drugs. If the pain won't go away or comes back, be sure to let the doctor know.
Clear Liquid Diet: Even if you're unable to eat solid food, you may be able to drink water, broth, or apple juice. And you can suck on ice chips or eat gelatin.
IVP: An IVP, also called an intravenous pyelogram (PI-uh-lo-GRAM), is an x-ray of the kidneys, bladder, and ureters. To make them show up better in the picture, a special dye is usually injected into your bloodstream. People who are allergic to shellfish may also be allergic to this dye. Be sure to warn your doctor if you have such an allergy.
Abdominal Ultrasound: This painless test uses sound waves to create a view of the organs inside the abdomen. The pictures show up on a TV-like screen.
Cystoscopy (sis-TOSS-kuh-pee): For this examination, the doctor will thread a cystoscope (a long tube with a magnifying glass and light on the end) into your urethra and up into the bladder. This scope is sometimes hooked up to a camera. It can reveal the presence of kidney stones, and can be used to take tissue samples for tests. During the exam, the doctor also can remove small tumors or stop any bleeding that's found.
Surgery: If your doctor finds a blockage in one of the ureters, you may need to have an operation. A blocked ureter can cause repeated kidney infections.
After You Leave
Always take your medicine exactly as directed. If it doesn't seem to help, let the doctor know, but keep taking it until told otherwise. Be sure to use up all the antibiotics you're prescribed, even if you're feeling better. If a medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving or using dangerous machinery.
Make a point of drinking 6 to 8 large glasses of liquid, such as water, juices, and milk, each day. Limit caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soda.
You may have sex when you feel ready. Stop if it causes any pain.
To make sure the infection is gone, return to your doctor for a follow-up urine culture.