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Kidney infection is caused because of urinary tract infection (UTI) that occurs in our urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys. Mostly it is caused by viruses and bacteria. They can eventually lead to a serious condition known as sepsis. The function of our kidneys is to remove waste from our bodies and to take out extra water from our blood. Men who are above the age of 50 are more prone to kidney infection and their condition is known as Benign Hyperplasia (BPH) as they stop the flow of urine and that leads to the growth of virus and bacteria. In this article, we will have a look at the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney infection.
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What is Kidney Infection?
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Kidney infection is a kind of urinary tract infection that is a UTI and starts from the bladder or urethra (located at the neck of the bladder) and travels to either one or both of your kidneys. This infection can either permanently damage your body or spread in your bloodstream.
Kidney and Kidney Infection
Causes of Kidney Infection
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Kidney Infection are caused due to many factors such as:
- Structural abnormalities like stones, stents, strictures, and surgery block the flow of urine.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition in which a walnut-size body part which is made up of glandular and muscular tissue grows larger in size and compresses the urethra.
- There is a backflow of urine from the bladder to the kidney.
- During the time of pregnancy, the size of the uterus gets enlarged and squeezes the ureters, and makes the flow of urine improper which helps in the entrance of the bacteria.
- Unable to control diabetes mellitus.
Urinary System
Risk Factors of Kidney Infection
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The risk factors for kidney infection are:
- Being female
The size of the urethra is shorter in women that helps in the easy entry of the bacteria. The presence of the urethra to the vagina and the anus also creates a lot of opportunities for the bacteria to enter.
- Urinary tract blockage
There could be the development of kidney stones if the movement or flow of urine is slow in women. Usually, in men, there is a presence of an enlarged prostate gland.
- Poor immunity system
If you have weak immunity because of the drugs/medicines taken for the treatment of diseases like diabetes, HIV, etc. then there is a possibility to have an infection in your kidney.
- Damages nerve cells around the bladder
The damaged nerve cells block the sensation of a bladder infection and therefore you stay unaware of the infection in your kidney.
- Urinary catheter
The use of a urinary catheter which is a hollow tube that collects your urine and the continuous use of it if you are in bed can lead to the development of a kidney infection.
- Condition that leads to wrong flow of urine
The flow of urine in the wrong direction especially in the case of vesicoureteral reflux can lead to an infection in your kidney. This could happen in your adulthood or childhood.
Risk Factors
Symptoms of Kidney Infection
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The symptoms that indicate kidney infection are exhibited in the kidney and bladder. The symptoms are:
Related to Kidney
- High fever
- Constant pain in your groin, lower back, or side.
- Nausea
- Vomiting tendency
- Abdominal muscle spasm
- Feeling chilly
- Blood or pus in your pee
- Upset stomach
- Weakness
- Fatigue
Related to Bladder
- Burning sensation or pain when you pee.
- Always feel like peeing.
- Bad smelling urine or cloudy urine.
- Constant pain in your lower belly.
- Peeing more often than usual.
Diagnosis
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There would be two kinds of tests that would be done by a doctor to diagnose a kidney infection.
- Urine analysis to check pus, bacteria in your pee, and blood.
- Urine culture to get to know the kind of bacteria which is present.
The doctor can also go for these tests:
- Ultrasound or CT- CT scan is performed in order to look for blockage.
- Voiding cystourethrogram-This is a kind of X-ray to look for infection in your bladder or kidney.
- For men, digital rectal exam- The doctor will insert a lubricated finger in your anus to look for a swollen prostate.
- Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy is related to the radioactive material to look for kidney infection.
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Complications
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There is a possibility of severe kidney damage if kidney infection is not treated as soon as possible:
- Damage of your kidney: There could be an accumulation of abscesses or pus and the bacteria can spread in other parts of the body, and your kidney can become scarred and which can lead to problems like high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and failure of your kidney.
- Poisoning of your blood (Septicemia): When there is an entry of bacteria into your blood, they start spreading rapidly into the other parts of your body which needs emergency treatment.
- Severe infection: The spread of this infection emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) can lead to severe damage and this usually happens with patients suffering from diabetes.
Treatment of Kidney Infection
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Your doctor may suggest
- Antibiotics for a week or two.
- In severe cases, hospitalization might need to be done and antibiotics would be supplied intravenously (IV) with the help of a needle.
Home Remedies
- Drink lots of water.
- Take extra rest.
- Keep a heating pad on your belly, back, and side.
- Sit on the toilet while using the washroom instead of squatting which helps in not completely emptying your bladder.
- Take a pain reliever like acetaminophen instead of aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.
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Prevention
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It is not possible to prevent bladder infection completely. However, you certain measures can be undertaker such as:
- Avoid using deodorant or sprays on your genitals.
- Avoid using condoms
- You can use lubricated condoms.
- Drink lots and lots of water.
- Use the washroom whenever you feel like it.
- Always pee after having sex.
- Use toilet paper from front to back after peeing to avoid bacteria.
Also Read: Uremia
Things to Remember
- Kidney infection is a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- It can permanently damage your body if it is not treated immediately.
- Escherichia Coli (E Coli), is a bacterium that is a root cause of kidney infection and is a type of UTI.
- The name of the infection is Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EPN).
- Diabetic patients, pregnant women, people with poor immunity, and in the case of vesicoureteral reflux need to be extra careful.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is a UTI? (3 marks)
Ans. UTI is known as urinary infection which leads to the growth of infection in any organ of your body including kidneys, bladder, urethra, etc. It can impact both men and women. There are two kinds of urinary infections and they are
- The Lower UTI- It puts an impact on the urethra and the urinary bladder.
- The Upper UTI- It infects only the kidneys of your body.
They are caused because of the growth of the pathogens like bacteria, fungus, viruses, etc and the most symptoms are you feel like peeing most of the time and belly pain. There are other symptoms too like fever, burning, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Ques. What is the cause of a Kidney Infection? (3 marks)
Ans. There are many causes of kidney infection and they are mentioned below.
- Structural abnormalities like stones, stents, strictures, and surgery.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Backflow of urine.
- The size of the uterus gets enlarged and squeezes the ureters of a pregnant woman.
- Diabetes mellitus could not be controlled.
Ques. What complications can Kidney Infection cause? (3 marks)
Ans. Kidney infection can cause serious or permanent damages if the help of the doctor is not taken immediately and they are as follows.
- Damage of your kidney: There could be an accumulation of abscesses or pus and the bacteria can spread in other parts of the body, and your kidney can become scarred and which can lead to problems like high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and failure of your kidney.
- Poisoning of your blood (Septicemia): When there is an entry of bacteria into your blood, they start spreading rapidly into the other parts of your body which needs emergency treatment.
- Severe infection: The spread of this infection emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) can lead to severe damage and this usually happens with patients suffering from diabetes.
Ques. What home remedies can one follow for stopping the growth of kidney infection? (3 marks)
Ans. Once infected with a kidney infection, there is no permanent solution to it. But still, you can follow these home remedies in order to put a stoppage to its growth:
- Have 8 liters of water every day.
- Rest should be taken for a longer time.
- Keep a heating pad on your belly, back, and side.
- Sit on the toilet while using the washroom instead of squatting which does not completely empty your bladder.
Ques. What are the symptoms of kidney infection? (3 marks)
Ans. Symptoms related to the kidney are as follows:
- High fever
- Vomiting tendency
- Weakness
- Feeling chilly
- Abdominal muscle spasm
- Constant pain in your groin, lower back, or side.
Ques. What is the kind of bacteria that causes UTIs? (2 marks)
Ans. Escherichia Coli (E Coli), is a bacterium that causes damage about 90 percent and is located in our digestive system. There are other bacteria also which are sexually transmitted to our body like chlamydia and mycoplasma and spread the infection and damages the urethra. The presence of these bacteria can also cause a serious condition that is known as sepsis.
Ques. How can kidney infection be prevented? (3 marks)
Ans. The prevention of kidney infection are as follows:
- Avoid using deodorant or sprays on your genitals.
- Avoid using condoms.
- You can use lubricated condoms.
- Drink lots and lots of water.
- Use the washroom whenever you feel like it.
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