What are the causes of kidney infection?

Most common causes of kidney infection are bacterial infections. 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. While bacteria are the most common causes of kidney infection, sometimes an obstruction that interferes with the flow of urine can also cause the disease.

Kidney infection is a condition or disease which causes inflammation of the kidneys. It is medically known as pyelonephritis (PI-low-nef-ri-tis). This is the most common form of kidney disease.

Symptoms of kidney infection

Symptoms of kidney infection could be quite severe, depending on the stage of the infection. Early sign of kidney infection could be mild, but usually symptoms 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 for 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 fight off the bacteria which 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. A strong immune system is the most effective defence against this disease.

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