What is a kidney infection?
A kidney infection is a serious condition that can occur when bacteria enter the kidneys. The most common way for this to happen is when bacteria from a urinary tract infection travel up to the kidneys. Kidney infections can be very painful and may require hospitalization. If left untreated, they can cause permanent damage to the kidneys or even be fatal. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment from the best nephrologist in Mumbai are essential for a good outcome.
What are some common warning signs of a kidney infection?
Symptoms of a kidney infection can vary from person to person, but some common warning signs include:
Blood or pus in urine: This can be a sign of some different health problems, from UTIs to kidney stones. So if you see blood or pus in your urine, let the Best Urologist In Mumbai know so they can diagnose and treat the problem.
Fever: When most people think of fever, they think of the common cold or flu. However, fever can also be a sign of a more serious infection, such as a kidney infection.
Nausea and vomiting: Most people know that nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a kidney infection, but few know why. The kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins and waste products from the blood. When they become infected, these toxins can build up and cause nausea and vomiting.
Pain in the back or side: Most people will experience pain in their back or side at some point in their life. For some, this pain is caused by a kidney infection. While the cause of the pain can be difficult to diagnose, some common symptoms can help you determine if you have a kidney infection.
Difficulty urinating: When you have a kidney infection, it can be difficult to urinate. This is because the infection can cause your bladder and urethra to become inflamed. You may find that you have to go to the bathroom more often, and when you do go, you may only be able to produce a small amount of urine. The urine may also be cloudy or have a strong odor.
Burning sensation or pain when urinating: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common types of infections. They can occur in any part of the urinary tract. A kidney infection is a UTI that occurs when bacteria infect one or both kidneys. The symptoms include a burning sensation or pain when urinating, frequent urination, cloudy or bloody urine, pelvic pain,
If you experience any of these symptoms, see the best nephrologist in Mumbai right away for diagnosis and treatment.
Causes
Viruses or bacteria that enter the urinary tract commonly cause kidney infections. E. coli is one of the most common bacterial causes of this condition. Your intestines contain these bacteria, which can travel through your urethra into your urinary tract. Urine is expelled out of your body by the urethra. This bacterium grows and spreads to the bladder and kidneys from the urinary tract.
The following lesser observed factors may also cause infections of the kidney:
- Infection can spread to the kidneys through the bloodstream as a result of an infection elsewhere in the body, such as an artificial joint.
- A bladder or kidney operation
- An obstruction to the flow of urine, for example, a kidney stone or cysts in the urinary tract, prostate enlargement in men, or a problem with the anatomy of the urinary tract.
Risk factors
Anyone can contract a kidney infection; however, the following factors increase the likelihood of it happening:
- Being female: Women have a higher risk of kidney infections than men because their urethras are shorter than those of men. As a result, bacteria can more easily enter the urinary tract. A woman’s urethra is close to her vagina and anus, allowing for the spread of bacteria to take place more rapidly.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, there is a shift in the urinary tract, allowing bacteria to enter the kidneys more easily.
- A weak immune system: Such individuals include those with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and those taking medications suppressing the immune system.
- Spinal cord injury or nerve damage to the bladder: Such injuries may prevent you from recognizing the symptoms of a urinary tract infection that may lead to a kidney infection.
- The inability to empty your bladder: This condition is referred to as urinary retention. Those suffering from spina bifida or multiple sclerosis may also experience this condition.
- The use of a catheter to drain urine.
- Urine backup: When urine accumulates in one or both kidneys, rather than flowing out normally through one outflow. Children are most likely to suffer from this condition, called vesicoureteral reflux.
- Your urinary tract may be shaped abnormally.
- Examining the bladder with the aid of a cystoscope.
Prevention
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to kidney infections. Here are a few things you can do to prevent kidney infection:
