overview
- Anatomy of the female urinary system
- Female Urinary System Open popup dialog Male Urinary System Anatomy
- Open Male Urinary System Pop-up Dialog
- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that usually starts in the urethra or bladder and spreads to one or both kidneys.
A kidney infection requires immediate medical attention. If not handled properly, a kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys, or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. Kidney infection Treatment in Nizamabad
symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a kidney infection can include:
- fever
- chills
- Pain in the back, side (flank) or groin
- stomach pain
- Frequent urination
- Strong and persistent need to urinate
- Burning or painful urination
- Nausea and vomiting
The reasons
Bacteria that enter your urinary tract through the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra) can multiply and get to your kidneys. It is the number one cause of kidney infections.
Bacteria from an infection elsewhere in your body can also spread to your kidneys through your bloodstream. Although it is unusual to develop a kidney infection, it can happen – for example, if you have an artificial joint or an infected heart valve. Kidney infection Treatment in Nizamabad
Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of kidney infections include:
Be a woman. The urethra is shorter in women than in men, which makes it easier for bacteria to get to the bladder from outside the body. The proximity of the urethra to the vagina and anus also creates more opportunities for bacteria to enter the bladder.
In the bladder, infection can spread to the kidneys. Pregnant women are at an even higher risk of kidney infections.
Have a urinary tract blockage. This includes anything that slows the flow of urine or reduces your ability to empty your bladder when you urinate – including a kidney stone, an abnormal structure in your urinary tract, or an enlarged prostate in men. Kidney infection Treatment in Nizamabad
Complications
If left untreated, a kidney infection can lead to potentially serious complications, such as:
- Kidney scars. This can lead to chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
- Blood poisoning (sepsis). Your kidneys filter waste products from your blood and send your filtered blood back to the rest of your body. A kidney infection can cause the bacteria to spread in your bloodstream.
