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Pyelonephritis is a consequence of an infection or inflammation of the bladder that is left untreated. There are two types of disease: acute and chronic.
Pyelonephritis – the course of the disease
Pyelonephritis is the result of poorly treated or untreated infections and inflammations of the urinary bladder and urethra. Bacteria enter the kidneys through the urinary system. The disease is included in the wider group of UTIs, i.e. urinary tract infections.
There are two stages of development of pyelonephritis. The first is spicy, which is not dangerous in itself. Rapid medical intervention will help heal them within a few days. The second stage is chronic pyelonephritis. In this case, antibiotic therapy is necessary, and in extreme cases, removal of the kidney.
Acute and chronic pyelonephritis
The first stage of the disease may result from a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Bacterial is the most common (about 80% of patients) and is the result of E. coli infection. Less often – the bacteria of staphylococcus, mycoplasmas and gonorrhea. Another source is the herpes virus, which is sexually transmitted. This is called ascending infection.
Fungal inflammation can be caused by prolonged catheterization or by antibiotic therapy and immunosuppressive drugs in people with low immunity.
Chronic pyelonephritis is a serious and dangerous stage of the disease. It can occur as a result of ineffective treatment of urethritis or bladder inflammation, or chronic persistence of an acute condition. The danger is that, if left untreated, the condition can lead to:
- renal failure – in extreme cases, there is a need for a transplant,
- hypertension,
- developmental impairment (in the case of children),
- development of perirenal or kidney abscesses,
- sepsis.
Pyelonephritis – increased risk
There are certain groups of people who are at increased risk of developing the disease:
- women, especially during pregnancy and puerperium – caused by the structure of the urinary system, i.e. the urethra, which is shorter than in men,
- patients with urolithiasis,
- people with bladder and urinary reflux,
- diabetes
- elder people,
- patients undergoing long-term catheterization.
Pyelonephritis – symptoms
The disease is accompanied by two types of symptoms: typical and atypical. In acute inflammation, typical symptoms are listed, namely:
- back pain in the area of the kidneys,
- pain, burning, itching when urinating, sometimes with blood
- feeling of incomplete bowel movement.
Additionally, acute inflammation can manifest itself as general weakness, fever and chills. With chronic inflammation, in addition to the symptoms listed above, the following may appear:
- weight loss
- headaches,
- high fever,
- dull back pain.
Pyelonephritis – treatment
The disease is diagnosed after the following tests are carried out: general examination and culture of urine, and ultrasound.
Treatment with oral antibiotics is usually undertaken. Patients in worse condition are hospitalized and given intravenous drugs. The treatment lasts about 1-2 weeks. After this time, the urine screening test is repeated.
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