Pyelonephritis Information

Pyelonephritis is a renal disorder that involves the pyelum or pelvis. It is also commonly known in the medical world as Pyelitis. A more severe form of the disease, on the other hand, is called Urosepsis.

Pyelonephritis is a urinary tract infection that has reached the kidneys. Damage to the kidney is due to the bacteria that originated from the bladder. It can either be acute or chronic.

Pyelonephritis is a common kidney disorder. Women are four times more vulnerable to Pyelonephritis than men. The explanation for this is that, women have shorter urethras. Theirs is also closer to the anus, which is a known source of bacteria.

Young women who are starting to become sexually active are especially noted to be at an increased risk for Pyelonephritis. Hormonal status of young children and old adults are also found to be surefire risk factors for this particular disease.

Pyelonephritis is caused by many different factors. The number one risk factor for this disease is an incessant bacterial infection in the bladder. It can also be triggered with an unsafe use of catheter or cystoscope. Catheter is a medical tool used to drain the bladder with urine while cystoscope is a clinical examination tool used in the urethra and the bladder. Another known cause of Pyelonephritis occurrence is a previous surgery on the urinary tract as well as defects or abnormalities that prevent normal urine flow.

Rare cases have shown a possibility that the infection developed elsewhere in the body and traveled to the kidney through the bloodstream.

Pyelonephritis is represented with painful urination, severe abdominal pain, and tenderness in the bladder and the kidneys. Patients with this condition may also experience fever, vomiting, rigors, headache, and delirium.

As with any disease, mild or sever, early detection and diagnosis is significant to achieve optimal treatment. Urine samples of prospective patients are taken to be tested for nitrite and leukocyte levels. If this kind of testing showed unreliable results, blood cultures are often required to validate the previous diagnosis.

In some cases, Pyelonephritis patients are also suspected with kidney stones. As such, they are tested through x-rays and other forms of clinical scans. Ultrasound may also be required if an anatomical abnormality is found to be present. Polycystic kidney ailment also calls for a similar form of clinical exam.

Since the strongest cause of Pyelonephritis shows to be bacterial infections, patients are prescribed with strong antibiotics as soon as proper diagnosis is achieved. In mild cases, oral therapy is often employed. However, intravenous antibiotics are mostly administered to patients with Pyelonephritis. The type of antibiotic used to offer relief for this condition depends on the established practice in the locality. But the choices may include a beta-lactam antibiotic (amoxicillin, cephalosporin), a fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin), trimethoprim (cotrimoxazole) or nitrofurantoin. Aminoglycosides are often ignored for their harsh side effects but are also found useful when added for a short period.

Other forms of treatment may be directed to the physical discomfort of the Pyelonephritis patient. In rare occasions, surgical intervention is employed, especially in recurring cases of Pyelonephritis. Patients are usually investigated for other abnormalities other than the ones duly established, which triggered the recurrence. Depending on the outcome of the examination, a patient may be indicated to undergo a surgical procedure.

Long-term treatment for Pyelonephritis is also available to reduce the risk of recurrence. Regular dose of antibiotics either prescribed for daily use or every time the patient has sexual contact.

Cranberry juice intake proved to give out positive benefits. It is mostly advised to young patients who have chronic urinary tract infections.

If not treated properly at an early stage, frequent occurrence of Pyelonephritis can cause serious damage to the kidneys. In rare cases, Pyelonephritis spread to the bloodstream and becomes a condition known as sepsis. Another complication of Pyelonephritis is acute renal failure where the kidneys stop working properly for a temporary period of time.

To prevent Pyelonephritis, you need to be very wary of your health condition. Pyelonephritis develops through chronic urinary tract infection. It is far more severe and more serious and could lead to greater problems if ignored.

Follow-up consultation with a qualified health professional is also significant to keep yourself free from Pyelonephritis forever. Seeking medical attention for anything that implies infection is a start for seeking the most appropriate treatment.

Patients at high risk for Pyelonephritis must take all the precautionary measures needed for the condition not to develop. Women must undergo urine tests at the sight of even a slight symptom to ensure that UTI is treated properly and effectively at an instant and will be out of the question for long. This should also be the guideline of people beyond the age of 60. Prolonged use of catheter must also be cause for alarm and may require a long-term consultation.

Kidney is one of the most sensitive vital organs that we have. Since it tackles much of the toxins the body acquires, it becomes highly susceptible to damage. Some causes cannot be controlled because they occur with no noticeable symptoms at the onset. In some other cases, you can do much to control the damage be done. Keep track of your urine flow. Report any abnormalities that you experience immediately to a qualified health professional. Urinary tract infection and its frequent recurrence must never be ignored. It is the main trigger of most kidney ailments, after all.

Ask your doctor about the measure you can take minimize your risk for further infection. If the defect can be corrected with clinical treatments, follow it to enjoy favorable results. Medication therapy can only be advantageous if the doctor’s prescription is followed strictly. Constantly missing a dose will not do any good. For antibiotics to work, your body must retain a certain level of it. That can only be obtained if you follow your dosing schedule. But be wary about over dosage as well. If you missed a dose and you remember taking it at a time that is close to your next dose, it would be better to just discard the missed dose than doubling your dose.