The vast majority of infections affect only the bladder. But sometimes they rise higher in the kidneys and ureters, and lead to the development of pyelonephritis. This is a serious illness, the consequences of which can be very serious, but still it is quite easy to treat.

What is pyelonephritis and signs of its occurrence

Pyelonephritis in the vast majority of cases is the result of complications from a bladder infection. Pathological bacteria enter from the surface of the skin near the urethra, and then move further into the renal pelvis, calyx and parenchyma. Most often it happens due to the banal non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene.

According to statistics, pyelonephritis in women is many times more common. This is due to the fact that their urethra is much shorter and wider in comparison with men, so pathological microorganisms do not need to penetrate further.

Pyelonephritis in children is also quite common (especially up to seven years) due to the anatomical features of the structure of the excretory system.

Sometimes the disease develops as a result of a decrease or slowdown in the flow of urine, which is often found with prostatic hypertrophy, diabetes, or the presence of kidney or ureter stones.Among the common causes is also a decrease in immunity and impaired normal circulation.

Classification of inflammatory processes

There are two types of illness:

  • Acute pyelonephritis. It occurs most often. It starts suddenly, characterized by the presence of pronounced symptoms. With adequate treatment, it does no harm to the kidneys.
  • Chronic pyelonephritis. It is diagnosed quite rarely and most often in childhood. The main reason is congenital defects and abnormalities of the kidneys, leading to frequent urinary tract infections. As a result, scars form in the kidneys, which eventually leads to renal failure.

The chronic form can be almost asymptomatic. The only indicator may be a prolonged increase in temperature to insignificant limits.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

It is almost impossible not to notice the onset of the disease, since the inflammatory process in the kidneys is almost always accompanied by painful and unpleasant sensations.

Typical symptoms of pyelonephritis:

  • pain during urination and its frequency;
  • fever (may shiver);
  • severe general weakness, lack of strength;
  • pain in the head and lumbar spine;
  • increased sweating;
  • loss of appetite;
  • dizziness;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • change in the appearance of urine (it becomes cloudy, smells unpleasant, blood may appear).

Sometimes patients notice that their face swells.

Methods for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis

When such symptoms appear, it is urgent to consult a doctor who treats such diseases. This is a nephrologist. At the first appointment, he will ask questions, collect an anamnesis, conduct a general examination and prescribe the necessary tests and examinations.

Diagnostics may include the following methods:

  • urinalysis (general or according to Nechiporenko, a simple method that allows you to find out the exact content of white blood cells, red blood cells, to determine the presence or absence of infection);
  • urine culture (necessary to accurately determine the type of bacteria that caused the disease, and antibiotics that are most suitable for treatment);
  • blood culture (indicates whether the infection has entered the bloodstream);
  • Ultrasound (prescribed for the detection of abscesses, stones and other blockages in the kidneys, congenital defects of the urinary tract).

Sometimes the patient may still be advised to undergo computed tomography. But this method is used only in difficult cases when it is difficult to accurately diagnose the disease and establish the causes of its occurrence.

Treatment of kidney disease in children and adults

With the timely start of treatment, the disease quickly disappears. Hospitalization is usually not required. Only in severe cases, the patient can be prescribed inpatient treatment and intravenous administration of drugs for emergency relief of symptoms and improvement.

Drugs and antibiotics

Treatment of pyelonephritis is unthinkable without the use of antibiotics. The course of their admission is at least a week. The most commonly prescribed medications are Ceftriaxone, Amoxiclav, Ofloxacin.

If pain is disturbing, the patient is additionally prescribed painkillers and antispasmodics. If the disease is accompanied by complications, in many cases it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention.

After the acute period subsides, methods of apparatus physiotherapy are sometimes prescribed - paraffin baths for heating, electrophoresis, magneto and laser therapy.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies can be used only as a supplement. Most often, specially selected herbs are used (based on flax, corn, marshmallow, calendula, pine buds), which help cleanse the urinary tract from germs. It is often advised to drink in the morning a glass of birch sap, which contains a lot of mineral salts and volatile products that help restore electrolyte balance and eliminate infections.

The method of treatment with propolis is widely used among the people.For 100 g of melted butter, take 10 g of crushed substance and cover with a lid for a third of an hour. Bring the mass to 90 degrees and strain. Take three times a day one hour before a meal.

It is useful to consume cabbage, pumpkin and carrot juices in moderation.

Diet for pyelonephritis

The diet for pyelonephritis does not imply a strict dietary restriction.

From the menu you should simply exclude the following products:

  • rich broths and soups;
  • smoked meats and preservation;
  • spicy dishes, spices, spices;
  • alcohol, carbonated and sugary drinks;
  • coffee;
  • sweets and sweets.

Food is best cooked, steamed, stewed or baked without crusting. And also a prerequisite is the consumption of a sufficient amount of liquid - pure water, herbal teas, wild rose broth, dried fruit compotes, berry fruit drinks and jelly. It is especially useful to drink cranberry, blueberry and lingonberry drinks (they have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect). This helps prevent the occurrence of exacerbations.

Features during pregnancy and lactation

Women during pregnancy are at risk, since at this time the likelihood of various diseases increases due to the depressed state of the immune system. Often pyelonephritis occurs due to a violation of the normal outflow of urine as a result of the growth of the uterus, which exerts strong pressure on adjacent organs. A change in the hormonal balance also often leads to malfunctions and disturbances in the work of many organs of the female body, and the urinary system is no exception.

About 10-12% of all expectant mothers face this unpleasant phenomenon. It is dangerous to ignore this condition, as it can adversely affect the unborn baby.

Untreated pyelonephritis can lead to serious and even life-threatening consequences:

  • intrauterine infection of the fetus;
  • premature birth;
  • placental abruption;
  • malnutrition.

Unfortunately, antibiotics cannot be dispensed with, however, only a doctor should prescribe them. In such cases, pregnant women are often sent to a hospital to monitor their condition. In any case, it is believed that the harm from antibiotics will be much less than that which can be done to the baby by the disease itself. Future and lactating mothers are most often prescribed Gentamicin, Ampicillin and Oxacillin.

With pyelonephritis, it is useful to drink a lot, however, pregnant women can do this only in the absence of edema.

Preference should be given to cranberry juice, decoction of oats, clean water, jelly. Nursing mothers during this period can not interrupt the hepatitis B, as there are drugs that can be used during lactation. But it is strictly forbidden to select medications and dosages, as many drugs can negatively affect a baby.

You need to sleep on the side opposite to where the affected kidney is located. This will help speed recovery.

Consequences and complications of the disease

Inflammation of the kidneys with timely treatment almost never leads to any complications. But in rare cases, the appearance of acute or chronic renal failure, urolithiasis, the formation of a foci of infection - an abscess. In the latter case, even antibiotics are powerless, so patients are prescribed a nephrostomy. During this procedure, the accumulated purulent fluid is drained through a special tube drawn through the skin on the back directly into the affected kidney.

Preventative measures

Prevention measures are very simple, so it’s easy to follow them:

  • Always empty the bladder completely at the first urge, without restraining them.
  • Drink enough clean water to maintain normal water balance.
  • Try not to get too cold, keep your legs and lower body warm.
  • Timely treat emerging diseases of the genitourinary sphere, not hoping that they suddenly pass by themselves.
  • Observe basic hygiene rules.
  • Give preference to loose underwear made of natural materials.
  • Eat healthy and healthy foods.
  • Regularly undergo preventive examinations (this item is especially true for people who have already had kidney problems).

Apparently, there is nothing complicated. Without careful attention to your health, it is unthinkable to maintain it at the right level.

Related:More from the author: