Causes and risk factors:
The most common cause of kidney infection is the infection of the lower urinary tract caused due to bacteria.The bacteria enter through vagina, anus, skin into the urethra to bladder and ascend upwards to the kidneys to cause infection. Females are more prone for developing the infection. Pregnancy and sexual intercourse also increases the risk of infection in women. Certain other diseases which can lead to kidney infection are kidney stones, damage of the nerve of the bladder, Diabetes, HIV. Enlarged prostate and prostatic infections in males can cause infection of kidney. Use of bladder catheters under aseptic precautions to drain out the urine is the commonest cause of infections. E coli are the commonest bacteria to invade the urinary tract to cause infections.
Clinical presentations:
The patient complaints of pain in one or both the flank region. The pain may radiate down to the pubic region or to the abdomen. Fever, chills and vomiting are the other associated symptoms. Burning sensation while passing urine with cloudy or turbid urine or frequent urination along with difficulty in passing urine can be seen. Recurrent kidney infection or negligence of initiation of treatment can lead to chronic kidney infection or septicemia.
Diagnosis and investigations:
Diagnosis is done on the basis of symptoms narrated by the patient and the palpation of the abdomen carried out by the doctor. Certain investigations which are recommended are urine analysis (Urine Routine and urine culture), complete blood count and renal function test. Renal ultrasound or CT scan, intravenous urogram and Cystoscopy are the other investigations which can be done. Certain other test can be done to monitor the other underlying causes.
Treatment:
Antibiotics are started to treat the infection. Adequate water intake must be ensured. Hospitalization and close monitoring is required in severe cases.
Other modes of treatment:
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating kidney infection. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints.
