Pyelonephritis in women
Pyelonephritis in women is an infectious inflammatory disease of the kidneys that needs to be urgently treated, otherwise it can lead to serious complications – kidney failure, kidney abscess and even sepsis

Causes of pyelonephritis in women

The cause of pyelonephritis in women is opportunistic flora, which is contained in the body of each person and manifests itself with stress and a decrease in immunity. By the way, women suffer from pyelonephritis 4-5 times more often than men due to the peculiarities of the genitourinary system: the length of the urethra in a woman is only 3-4 centimeters, and is also very close to the rectum, so it is easy for pathogens to reach the genitourinary tract and then up to the kidneys. Most often, pyelonephritis in women is caused by Escherichia coli, as well as staphylococci, enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

– With pyelonephritis of the kidneys in women, the pelvicalyceal system, tubules and epithelial tissue become inflamed, while the glomeruli themselves are not affected by inflammation. As a rule, one organ is affected, but bilateral pyelonephritis also occurs, – says urologist Ivan Kuvin.

Symptoms of pyelonephritis in women

Acute pyelonephritis in women:

  • a sharp increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees;
  • chills, headache, weakness;
  • severe sweating, especially at night;
  • rapid and painful urination;
  • cloudy urine with flakes, with an admixture of pus and an unpleasant odor;
  • dry skin, swelling under the eyes;
  • painful aching sensations in the lumbar region, may intensify when walking.

The patient may complain of lack of appetite and intense thirst. Sleep may be disturbed – insomnia torment at night, and weakness and drowsiness roll in during the day. The skin and mucous membranes become dry, the eyelids may swell a little (the notorious “bags” under the eyes), says the doctor.

Chronic pyelonephritis in women can often be almost asymptomatic. The temperature may rise slightly, accompanied by chills and heavy sweating, aching pains or heaviness in the lumbar region will appear. Patients note that at night they constantly experience the urge to urinate. Blood pressure often rises, sometimes anemia appears.

Diagnosis of pyelonephritis in women

With any of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact a urologist or nephrologist. At the appointment, the doctor will first carefully listen to the patient’s complaints, collect an anamnesis, then conduct an examination.

– Determination of Pasternatsky’s symptom – a diagnostic method that a doctor uses when examining if kidney dysfunction is suspected. The patient is standing, the doctor puts his left hand on the lumbar region, and with the edge of his right hand he taps on its back side. If the patient feels pain, then the symptom is positive and there is a problem with the kidneys. A set of necessary examinations is also prescribed – blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound of the kidneys, says the urologist doctor.

Methods for diagnosing pyelonephritis:

  • general urine analysis;
  • urine tests according to Nechyporenko, according to Zimnytskyi;
  • general and biochemical blood tests;
  • bacterial culture of urine to identify the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics;
  • Ultrasound of the kidneys;
  • if necessary, CT or MRI.

Treatment of pyelonephritis in women

In the treatment of pyelonephritis in women, bed rest is mandatory. To eliminate the causative agent of the disease, based on the results of the antibiogram, a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin, carbapenem, quinolone) is prescribed. In severe cases, the urologist may prescribe a combination of several drugs. After antibiotics, a course of uroseptics is prescribed. To relieve inflammation and pain, the doctor will prescribe antispasmodics.

On the 5-7th day, when the inflammatory process begins to subside, symptomatic treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that improve blood circulation in the kidneys, vitamins.

– Medicinal herbs also help in the treatment of pyelonephritis in women. You can brew herbal teas yourself, herbal teas – lingonberry leaf, field horsetail, bearberry. And for convenience, you can choose drugs in the form of tablets based on these herbs – Cyston, Canephron, Fitolizin. Usually they are used in complex therapy, they relieve discomfort well and prevent the recurrence of the disease, says the urologist.

It is better to stick to a sour-milk diet, limit the use of salt, hot spices, establish a drinking regime – drink at least 1,5 liters of pure water per day.
Ivan KuvinUrologist, andrologist, ultrasound doctor

If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, relief comes as early as 2-3 days of treatment, the entire healing process takes about two weeks. After that, you need to visit a urologist once a year, take a urine and blood test.

Prevention of pyelonephritis in women

Prevention of pyelonephritis in women is quite simple. It is enough to follow a few simple rules and carefully monitor your health.

  • avoid hypothermia, especially in the lumbar region;
  • do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene;
  • do not start the treatment of cystitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system;
  • regularly undergo examination by a gynecologist;
  • lead a healthy lifestyle: do not abuse salty, spicy, smoked foods and alcohol;
  • observe the drinking regime – accustom yourself to drink at least 1,5 liters of clean water per day;
  • for any disturbing symptoms, do not self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor.

Popular questions and answers

Can pyelonephritis be treated at home?

First, you can not self-medicate. Prescribing antibiotics and “drinking herbs” based on the advice of friends and from the Internet is very dangerous, otherwise you may end up on the operating table. Be sure to go to the doctor, who will pick up antibiotics, prescribe treatment. Treatment for pyelonephritis can be done at home, but if the condition worsens, there is no response to antibiotics, surgery may sometimes be required, such as removal of the stone. Then hospitalization is required.

Why is pyelonephritis dangerous in pregnant women?

Pyelonephritis often occurs in late pregnancy in women. The fetus grows, pressure on the internal organs of a woman increases, the outflow of urine is disturbed, plus a weakened body, when all chronic diseases become aggravated. This can be very dangerous not only for the mother, but also for her child. First, there is a risk of infection of the membranes. Secondly, the risk of late preeclampsia increases, and this, in turn, increases the likelihood of premature birth or even intrauterine death of the child. Also during pregnancy, it is highly undesirable to prescribe antibiotics, and the range of drugs itself is greatly narrowed. Treatment of pyelonephritis during pregnancy is carried out only in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

Is a special diet required in the treatment of pyelonephritis in women?

A special diet for the treatment of pyelonephritis is not required. A dairy-vegetarian diet is recommended, boiled meat or fish, more fruits and vegetables (preferably boiled or baked), watermelons and melons. Be sure to limit your intake of salt, hot spices, smoked foods, carbonated drinks, and no alcohol. Instead of coffee and tea, cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks and compotes are better, and more clean drinking water.

What are the complications of pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis can lead to such serious complications as kidney abscess, paranephritis (purulent inflammation of the perirenal tissue), urosepsis, chronic renal failure, and even death.

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