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What are the causes of kidney infection?
The most common causes of kidney infection are bacterial infections.
An infection occurs when bacteria, usually from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and eventually travels to the kidneys.
When bacteria infects the kidney and causes inflammation, it is known, medically, as pyelonephritis (PI-low-nef-ri-tis). This is the most common form of kidney disease. It can be sudden (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis is the sudden development of kidney inflammation. Chronic pyelonephritis is a long-standing infection.
Most infections are caused by the Escherichia (E. coli) bacteria, which normally live in the colon.
While bacteria are the most common causes of kidney infection, it is not the only cause. Other causes include:
- Obstruction (such as kidney stone) that interferes with the flow of urine. An obstruction can cause pressure to build up within the kidney, which can cause kidney damage (leading to kidney failure). It can also cause stagnation of the urine, which can lead to infection;
- Urine stagnation, due to conditions such as kidney stones or prostate enlargement, increases the risk of infection;
- Not drinking enough fluids not only increases the risk of kidney stones and other diseases, but can also result in kidney infection;
- Diseases, such as kidney reflux, which cause urine to flow backwards through the ureters and upwards into the kidneys, can be one of the causes of kidney infection. This not only puts pressure on the kidneys but any bacteria, which may have been in the backed-up urine can cause infection;
- Pregnancy can increase the risk of infection. As the fetus develops, it places pressure on the bladder and urethra, which can affect the free flow of urine, resulting in infection. Also, hormones released during pregnancy (namely progesterone) increase the risk;
- Other diseases that compromise the immune system (such as diabetes), can contribute to kidney infection. When the immune system is impaired, the risk of all types of infection increases.
Symptoms of kidney infection
Symptoms of kidney infection can be quite severe, depending on the stage of the infection. Early sign could be mild, but symptoms usually come on very fast. When the disease is in an advanced stage, patients may experience the following symptoms:
- spiking fever,
- chills,
- lower back pain,
- vomiting,
- upset stomach,
- a constant need to urinate, or
- an inability to urinate at all,
- blood in the urine,
- pain or a burning sensation during urination.
There may also be tenderness on physical examination, which is manifested by pain in the area of the kidney.
Treatment of kidney infection
If left untreated, for an extended period of time, kidney infection can scar the kidneys and impair kidney function. The earlier this disease is treated, the better the chances of full recovery. Antibiotics are the most common treatment for kidney infection. This is usually prescribed by a qualified health care professional.
If you have trouble breathing or develop severe swelling after taking your medicine, you should contact you doctor immediately. This may be a sign that you are allergic to it.
In addition to antibiotics, patients should ensure that they are getting adequate amounts of essential nutrients to build or boost the immune system... it is the body's first line of defence against this infection. If the immune system functions as it should then it may be able to fight off the bacteria that causes infections.
While bacteria are the most common causes of kidney infection, impaired immune system may be the reason why the bacteria are able to flourish. Conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, cancer, kidney stones, and abnormalities of the urinary tract can lower the body's ability to fight off the bacteria that cause kidney infections. A strong immune system is the most effective defence against this disease.
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