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A kidney infection is a serious kidney problem that requires prompt medical attention. Treatment of this type of infection usually requires antibiotics and hospitalization. When not treated properly, a kidney infection can cause long term damage to your kidneys. It is capable of spreading through the bloodstream, which can be life-threatening. Very often, a kidney infection does not start in the kidneys. Most of the time, it starts in the bladder or elsewhere in the urinary tract. Germs from the bladder work their way upward in the ureters and begin to multiply when they reach the kidneys. This typically happens to someone who has low resistance for some reason. There are two main types of kidney infections and they result from several different possible kidney problems. Doctors use the names pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis to distinguish between them. A kidney infection can also be chronic or acute. When you have an acute infection, the symptoms generally come on quickly and can be severe. But the infection runs its course and you recover in a few days. However, a chronic kidney infection takes a while to develop, and gets worse as time passes. Kidney failure can eventually occur. What Causes Glomerulonephritis? Acute glomerulonephritis is the result of inflammation in the renal (kidney) glomeruli. Glomeruli are the blood vessels that actually filter the bloodstream to produce urine. Frequently, acute glomerulonephritis is triggered by a streptococcal infection in the respiratory system. Occasionally acute glomerulonephritis may follow a skin problem like impetigo. Chronic glomerulonephritis, however, is the opposite of the acute variety - you usually don't even know you have it until it becomes very serious. In general, the glomeruli become inflamed, resulting in sclerosis, scarring and finally, one or both kidneys fail. A wide variety of infections can trigger glomerulonephritis, including: •pneumonia, •hepatitis, •measles, •malaria, and •syphilis. It can also be triggered by problems in the structure of the kidneys or systems within the kidneys. A glomerulonephritis case that extends beyond 12 months is generally considered to be chronic. A person with this type of kidney infection may live a normal life for 20-30 years without symptoms, but at some point the kidneys become damaged so much they won't function. A kidney transplant or kidney dialysis may then be necessary. Pyelonephritis The other common type of kidney infection is an inflammation known as pyelonephritis, which can also be acute or chronic in form. Acute pyelonephritis is one of the most common forms of kidney infections. It sometimes recurs or "relapses." Recurrences are likely to happen to patients who have some type of urinary tract blockage. But most of the time, pyelonephritis results from some type of bacterial infection, often from one of many organisms that trigger a bladder infection. Certain conditions increase the likelihood of such an infection, including urinary tract infections, tumors, stagnant urine due to backflow from the bladder, abnormal prostate growth, diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, trauma, scars from previous infections, or even pregnancy. Patients who have this type of kidney infection often have accompanying complications, including hypertension. Kidney failure is possible as a result of this condition. Chronic pyelonephritis, like glomerulonephritis, usually progresses very slowly. Patients sometimes don't have any idea they have it, and they experience no signs of kidney dysfunction for two decades or more after it starts. The best treatment for pyelonephritis is to eliminate the cause: either kill the bacteria or somehow remove the obstruction, if there is one. George McKenzie is a former TV news anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host.
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kidney infection, kidney problem, kidney failure, kidneys,
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