Pyelonephritis is a type of kidney infection that starts in the urinary tract and works its way toward one or both of the kidneys. Your kidneys work to clean your blood of any waste and extra water to be expelled through urine. Your kidney’s being infected can cause major problems including swelling that can cause permanent damage and can be a life-threatening condition. Most often, pyelonephritis is acute and can be treated, but some individuals with urinary obstructions can develop chronic pyelonephritis. If you are concerned or think you could be suffering from pyelonephritis, we recommend speaking with a medical group in Rockville Centre that you can trust to give you the best care. At PRINE Health, we specialize in kidney care and have a staff of experienced and caring nephrologists, primary care physicians, and more who can help ensure that your kidneys are being taken care of and are in the best condition possible.
Risk Factors for Pyelonephritis::
Typically, pyelonephritis will start within your lower urinary tract as just a UTI (urinary tract infection) and eventually will travel up to your kidneys. It could also be caused by E. Coli or other bacteria and infections that are in your bloodstream, which can also end up traveling to your kidneys. Symptoms usually begin to show within a day or two of developing the kidney infection. Common symptoms of pyelonephritis include:
- A high fever
- Shaking or chills
- Pain in the back, side, abdomen, or groin areas
- Painful, burning, and frequent urination
- Pus or blood in your urine
- Cloudy and fishy-smelling urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- General aching and feeling exhausted
- Mental confusion
Seek attention from a medical group in Rockville Centre if your symptoms are concerning or become progressively worse. Keep in mind as well, if you are being treated for a UTI and you find that your symptoms aren’t improving it could be a red flag.
Risk Factors For Pyelonephritis:
Various factors that will leave you more likely to develop a kidney infection are:
- Being female – Females have shorter urethras than males do, which makes it easier for an infection to travel from the urinary tract to the kidneys. The urethra in females is also closer to the exterior of the body making it easier for infections to enter the body.
- Older age – As you age, you are more likely to develop pyelonephritis.
- Having any type of problem with your urinary tract – Any urinary tract blockage such as a kidney stone, a miss-shapen urinary tract, or any other issue that disrupts the flow of urine out of the body. Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition in which your urine flows the wrong way, also leaves you more likely to develop kidney infections.
- Having any type of bladder or kidney condition – Any existing condition that affects your bladder or kidney.
- Having a weakened immune system – Having any medical condition that weakens your immune system such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or cancer.
- Having a catheter – Catheters are used to drain urine from the body and can cause infection.
Individuals with urinary obstructions are also more likely to develop chronic pyelonephritis than others!
How A Medical Group In Rockville Centre Can Help With Pyelonephritis Treatment:
Antibiotics are most commonly used to treat pyelonephritis. If your case is more severe, you may be admitted to a hospital to receive intravenous hydration and a stronger antibiotic. If your kidney infection is caused by an underlying problem, treatment or surgery will be recommended to fix that problem. Our experienced nephrologists at PRINE Health can provide you with guidance for better kidney care as well as diagnose and treat any kidney problems you are experiencing. As a notable medical group in Rockville Centre, we suggest you come to us for help if you think you could be suffering from pyelonephritis or any other kidney problem. Contact us for more information.
