What is a Kidney Infection

A kidney infection can be challenging to diagnose because the symptoms don't always present in a way that is easy to identify. While most kidneys will eventually fix the problem, some infections may require hospitalization or multiple treatments at home to help alleviate symptoms and prevent kidney damage. A kidney infection should not be taken lightly, but if you are struggling with acute pain, you may also want to consider emergency room procedures. Treatments for kidney infections can be palliative or curative. Palliative treatments include pain medications and antibiotics to relieve symptoms, while curative treatments are made to help the body fight off infection once and for all.

Kidney Infection Symptoms:
You should also avoid certain foods, like cured meats, shellfish and dairy products to help prevent a possible kidney infection. For example, some people diagnosed with chronic renal disease may suffer from what is known as renal colic. Colic is a common term used by physicians to describe a burning sensation in the backside of the abdomen that occurs when food wastes and toxins pass through the kidneys too quickly, causing irritation. To treat renal colic, you should consume a diet that includes reasonable amounts of fluids, low-protein and high-complex carbohydrate foods.

Kidney infection symptoms include:

* Pain in the lower back, lower abdomen or side of your leg accompanied by fever.

* Constant pain with passing urine or if you have a wet rag on your bottom when passing urine.

* Dark red or brown urine during urination that doesn't clear up after several days. If this happens, it is time to contact a doctor immediately. If the infection has spread throughout your body, surgery may be necessary.

In most cases, a kidney infection is caused by E. coli bacteria, commonly found in humans' intestines and/or stools. Other causes may include; bladder infections, kidney stones, radiation treatment or chemotherapy. It is essential to understand that not all kidney infections produce the same symptoms. However, several common symptoms may indicate a possible condition has occurred. Common symptoms include:

* Frequent urination where four to six glasses of urine are produced during 24 hours.

* Blood in your urine followed by a burning sensation during urination that doesn't clear up after several days of consistent medical care.

Kidney Infection Symptoms:

The list of possible symptoms is long, and different symptoms may occur depending on the type of infection. However, some more common symptoms include fever (usually 102°F or higher), abdominal pain, chills, fatigue, and nausea. A person may experience shock or septicemia (blood poisoning) in severe cases. In addition to the above symptoms, others may include back pain or flank pain that worsens when lying down. Additional signs may include weight loss or appetite loss in conjunction with vomiting and possible constipation. Complications from a kidney infection can also result in sepsis. Sepsis is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself, resulting in inflammation throughout the body. This type of infection usually occurs when bacteria is spread throughout the body. Symptoms may include:

Blood in your urine is followed by a burning sensation during urination that doesn't clear up after several days of consistent medical care.

Fever (usually 102°F or higher), abdominal pain, chills, fatigue and nausea. A person may experience shock or septicemia (blood poisoning) in severe cases. In addition to the above symptoms, others may include back pain or flank pain that worsens when lying down. Additional signs may include weight loss or appetite loss in conjunction with vomiting and possible constipation. Complications from a kidney infection can also result in sepsis. Sepsis is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself, resulting in inflammation throughout the body. This type of infection usually occurs when bacteria is spread throughout the body. Symptoms may include:

Kidney infections are among the most common infectious diseases that affect other organs. In fact, according to a report released by the National Institutes of Health, nearly 730,000 people develop kidney infections each year in the United States alone. Although anyone can have a kidney infection, certain groups are at increased risk to develop this condition. Infants, young children and elderly adults are examples of groups that may be more likely to develop a kidney infection.

Kidney infections are among the most common infectious diseases that affect other organs. In fact, according to a report released by the National Institutes of Health, nearly 730,000 people develop kidney infections each year in the United States alone. Although anyone can have a kidney infection, certain groups are at increased risk to develop this condition. Infants, young children and elderly adults are examples of groups that may be more likely to develop a kidney infection.