Urinary tract infection or renal pelvis inflammation? Then you know the difference

Sara

Leg. Doctor

Urinary tract infection or renal pelvis inflammation? Then you know the difference!

Urinary tract infection is common and can cause unpleasant symptoms. Urinary tract infection is usually easy to treat if caught in time and in some cases it heals on its own. In cases where the symptoms do not go away or get worse, there is a risk that the infection has spread to the kidneys, so-called pyelonephritis, which can be very serious. Therefore, in this article we will discuss how to know if a urinary tract infection has reached the kidneys or not.

What is a urinary tract infection?

If we start with what a urinary tract infection is, it is an infection caused by bacteria that have entered through the urethra up to the bladder. It is more common in women than in men because, for example, women's urethras are shorter than men's. Common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include a painful and burning sensation when you urinate, the need to urinate frequently, and pain in the lower abdomen.

What is pyelonephritis?

A pyelonephritis, or pyelonephritis, is a serious infection of the kidneys. It is usually caused by an untreated urinary tract infection that has spread to the kidneys. The symptoms of pyelonephritis include high fever, chills, nausea, sometimes vomiting and pain in the back/side of the back.

Who is most at risk of suffering from pyelonephritis?

People who have a weakened immune system, suffer from diabetes or are pregnant are more likely to develop pyelonephritis. The infection can also be difficult to treat in these people.

Anyone who has previously had renal pelvis inflammation is also more likely to get it again.

What should you do if you suspect pyelonephritis and when should you seek care?

If you suspect that you have suffered from an inflammation of the renal pelvis, it is important that you seek physical medical care immediately.

In case of suspected pyelonephritis, you need to be examined, give a blood - and urine sample to get an assessment of your condition.

In some cases, you may need a few days of treatment in hospital if you have suffered from renal pelvis inflammation, but in most cases you will receive a prescription for antibiotics.

How can you avoid pyelonephritis?

To avoid developing a pyelonephritis, it is important to take care of the urinary tract and avoid urinary tract infections.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to reduce the risk of infection. Urinate regularly and try to empty the bladder completely. Remember to always wipe yourself from front to back after going to the toilet to avoid the spread of bacteria from the intestine to the urethra.

Having a urinary tract infection that goes up to the kidneys is serious. It is important to pay attention to high fever, chills, nausea, pain in the back or on the side of the back and seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. If you've had a kidney infection in the past, it's even more important to pay attention to any symptoms.

For further questions, you are always welcome to contact us here at Recetas Medicas.