About Pyelonephritis Pyelonephritis is an uncommon illness. Though, Pyelonephritis is rare, it can occur in all people regardless of their gender, age or racial heritage. Pyelonephritis is seen mostly in people exposed to microorganisms that infect the bowel area. Untreated Pyelonephritis can lead to complications such as kidney dysfunction or even death. What is Pyelonephritis: Pyelonephritis is related to kidneys. Our kidneys act as filters for the waste and toxins produced in the body. Moreover, they are an important part of the digestive system. They are also responsible for secreting vital hormones that aid digestion and metabolism. Kidneys are susceptible to various diseases due to microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. The immune response to such an infection of the kidneys is inflammation. At times, the infections starts from the urinary tract and slowly progresses towards the kidneys. It reaches the pyelum or the pelvic area around the kidneys. As the kidney and bowels are attacked by the organism, it becomes highly inflamed. This leads to the condition known as Pyelonephritis. Causes of Pyelonephritis: Pyelonephritis is the immune response to kidney infections. It occurs when microorganisms spread from the urinary tract to the pyelum of the kidneys. Several other risk factors for Pyelonephritis have being identified as follows; E.Coli infections, which can spread through the bladder to the other nearby organs Infections acquired at the hospitals such as enterococci and coliform bacteria infection Risky sexual behavior such as multiple partners or sex with an infected person Infections that spread due to ingestion of infected food and water Damage or injury to the internal organs from where the infection may spread Previous history of diseases such as diabetes, kidney or gallbladder stones Symptoms of Pyelonephritis: Symptoms of Pyelonephritis are related to the inflammation of the bowel and adjoining areas as follows: Chronic pain in the abdominal area Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting Nausea, malaise, fever Loss of appetite These symptoms should never be ignored, as it can lead to complications of Pyelonephritis, such as nephrectomy, septic shock and severe blood pressure related problems. If such symptoms are seen, rapid tests for Pyelonephritis must be done. These include urine tests and blood tests which look for the presence of bacterial or viral microorganisms. In many cases, imaging studies such as CT scan or MRI may help in understanding any organ damage. Treatment for Pyelonephritis: The first line of defense is using antibiotics to get rid of the microorganisms. In some cases, surgery may have to be preformed to remove the infected tissue. A kidney or gallbladder stone must be removed on urgent basis and a ureteral stent may be placed to support the gastrointestinal function. Several other types of Pyelonephritis may be observed in patients that impact different areas of the bowel and are caused by different kinds of microorganisms. These must be diagnosed and treated individually.
Related Articles -
Pyelonephritis, symptoms of Pyelonephritis, causes of Pyelonephritis, treatment for Pyelonephritis, test for Pyelonephritis, complications of Pyelonep,
|