Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Do you know how dangerous are urinary tract infections?

How many of you have interfere with urination? Do you know how much trouble can I make frequent urinary tract infections, especially in women? Long-term, untreated bladder infection can sample an acute or chronic inflammation of the kidney and pyelonephritis. Chronic pyelonephritis can ultimately lead to kidney failure.



Kidney

Pyelonephritis is the most common term for inflammation of the kidneys. This is a very serious kidney disease, which can be acute (sudden) and chronic. Acute pyelonephritis is a very common disease and is usually caused by bacteria. It often occurs spreading bacterial flora of the colon or due to infection of the female sex organs. Infection usually the channel system of the kidney or renal calices. Glomeruli are rarely affected. Chronic pyelonephritis is due to chronic or recurrent infections urunarnih, leads to fibrosis (scarring) in the kidney, the activation of the inflammatory response. It can leave a very serious consequences and lead to a gradual and permanent deterioration of renal tissue and their functions. Often affects people who are predisposed to repeated infections of the bladder due to anatomical malformations of the urinary system, and in patients with reduced immunity. A particular problem is the mechanism of abnormal urination, such as vesicouretheral reflux.


Causes of kidney infections

The majority of pyelonephritis is caused by bacteria that come from the urethra and bladder. This phenomenon is called the ascendant (rising or rising) kidney infection. It is very common among women which have a shorter urethra, making the bacteria more easily and quickly spread to the kidney. Women  have about 4 times more urinary tract infections.
Restoring the urine in the opposite direction, ie. back, is called reflux and can be caused by anatomical abnormalities or obstructions. In the first case, instead of a hard cap between the bladder and urethra, there is a wide opening. During voiding the bladder contracts and urine instead of forward flow in both directions. Vesicoureteral reflux is detected by special examination techniques and very difficult to treat this disorder.

Obstructions that cause reflux in women, usually in the form of narrowing of the urethra due to frequent infections.
In younger people such strictures occur rarely and usually are the result of sexually transmitted infections, especially hlamidijskog urethritis. In older people, the problems usually produces enlargement of the prostate. Reflux can be caused by the insertion of catheters or instruments, especially when performing cystoscopy.


Separate Preble with urinary infections have impaired the act of urination (paraplegia) and chronic patients with permanent disbursed cateter. Kidney and urinary tract infections are also common in pregnant women because of the pressure of the uterus, which changes the motility of the ureter due to the effects of pregnancy hormones (progesterone).

Symptoms of kidney infections

Symptoms of pyelonephritis are usually in the form of a sharp burning sensation when urinating, difficult, painful, frequent urination, with the appearance of fever, chills and pain in the area of ​​the cross (lumbar region). You appear malaise, muscle pain, joint pain and sometimes vomiting.Sometimes the symptoms are classic and there is no interference with urination, and sometimes suspected disease in the abdomen in the form of appendicitis and the like.

In children, the disease may have atypical clinical picture, where the high temperatures occurring altered mental status, impaired consciousness, including febrile convulsions. In acute infections, the symptoms develop quickly, first observed high temperature, after which usualy discoloration of urine, and pain and brittle. As infection progresses, there are also symptoms of general intoxication, loss of appetite, headache, and all signs of general intoxication of the organism. Sometimes a urinary tract infection can turn into severe sepsis, which is called sepsis.

Patients with chronic pyelonephritis may have an acute exacerbation, sometimes there are no symptoms, or symptoms may be very mild and go unnoticed. This seemingly harmless situation can be very dangerous, because the inflammation goes unnoticed and permanently damage kidney function.The first indication of deterioration of renal function may be anemia and high blood pressure.

The diagnosis of kidney inflammation
The diagnosis of pyelonephritis is made based on symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests of blood and urine, urine culture, abdominal ultrasound, and if there is suspicion of reflux then do additional x-rays.

Treatment of kidney inflammation

When you isolate the cause of antibiotic therapy is indicated. When the cause is not identified using the broad-spectrum antibiotics. The urine usually becomes sterile within 48-72 hours after initiation of therapy, treatment should be carried out to the end. Commonly used prolonged antibiotic therapy (21 days), and again repeated urine.

In severe forms of pyelonephritis, which are accompanied by acute worsening of renal function and sepsis, required hospital treatment. Patients with reflux is the most common surgical treatment is indicated.

Patients who are at high risk of re-infection of the urinary tract and kidneys, as well as those with prolonged use of Foley catheter, requiring long-term therapy.

What should you ask a doctor d on kidney infections?

What is the cause of infection and inflammation?
Is there an anatomical defect, obstruction or hindrance?
Can the defect be corrected?
Is it necessary to use antibiotics?
What can be done to reduce the progression of the infection?
Is surgery is one of the treatment options?
Is there a risk of eventual kidney failure?

Remember that prevention is the best medicine.
In most cases, inflammation of the kidneys can be prevented by timely detection and proper treatment of long-term lower urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections, especially recurrent, not a harmless condition and carry a high risk of kidney damage.
Never forget that in spite of highly effective antibiotic that has a current medicine, uvea tea does the most good your urinary tract. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.