Kidney Infection: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection that usually begins in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the body. This infection can affect one or both of your kidneys. Kidney infection is also called pyelonephritis.
Your kidney is the organ that removes waste and extra fluid in the body. It also removes acid produced by the cells of the body and maintains a healthy balance of water, salt, and minerals in the blood. Your kidneys play a key role in maintaining your blood pressure, electrolyte balance, hemoglobin levels, and many more. But there are many conditions that can damage your kidneys.
If you notice signs and symptoms of kidney infection, visit us at Doral Health and Wellness and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.
Symptoms
If you have a kidney infection, symptoms can include:
- Feeling feverish and shivery
- Numbing pain in your back or side
- Feeling nauseous
- Vomiting or upset stomach
- Fatigue and/or feeling weak
In addition to this, you may also experience symptoms common in having a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), which can include:
- A burning sensation when peeing
- A sudden need to pee
- Peeing more than usual
- A smelly or cloudy urine
- Blood in your urine
If you have these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately, especially if you have UTI or bladder infection that doesn’t seem to go away.
Causes
Kidney infections are usually caused by a bacteria called E. coli. Although they normally live in your bowel, where they do not cause any harm. They can be transferred from yours, but they can also be caused by other bacteria and viruses. Most often, a kidney infection starts with a bladder infection that will eventually spread to your kidney. Rarely, an infection in your skin can make its way to your blood and then into your kidney.
Risk Factors
- Kidney infection can happen to anyone, at any age. Although they tend to be more common in women because women have a shorter urethra than men which makes it easier for the bacteria to reach the kidneys.
- Having a weak immune system makes you prone to developing kidney infections. Medical conditions like diabetes and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) increase your risk of kidney infection because certain medications for these conditions can weaken your immunity.
- A urinary tract blockage can slow the flow of your urine or make it hard for you to fully empty your bladder, thus increasing your risk of kidney infection. Including developing a kidney stone and an enlarged prostate gland.
- Using a urinary catheter also increases your risk of kidney infection. These are tubes used to drain urine from your bladder.
If you have symptoms of kidney issues, talk to your doctor so you can devise a proper treatment plan for your condition. Never take any symptoms of kidney problems for granted. It is better to have it checked early on before it progresses. At Doral Health and Wellness, our team of nephrologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call 1-347-384-5690. You can visit our website at https://doralhw.org, or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.