Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys.
A kidney infection requires prompt medical attention. If not treated properly, a kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.
Kidney infection treatment, which usually includes antibiotics, might require hospitalization.
Kidney stones, or renal calculi, are solid masses made of crystals. Kidney stones usually originate in your kidneys. However, they can develop anywhere along your urinary tract, which consists of these parts:
- kidneys
- ureters
- bladder
- urethra
Kidney stones are one of the most painful medical conditions.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a kidney infection might include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Back, side (flank) or groin pain
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
- Strong, persistent urge to urinate
- Burning sensation or pain when urinating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pus or blood in your urine (hematuria)
- Urine that smells bad or is cloudy
Causes
Bacteria that enter your urinary tract through the tube that carries urine from your body (urethra) can multiply and travel to your kidneys. This is the most common cause of kidney infections.
Bacteria from an infection elsewhere in your body also can spread through your bloodstream to your kidneys. Although it’s unusual to develop a kidney infection, it can happen — for instance, if you have an artificial joint or heart valve that becomes infected.
Rarely, kidney infection results after kidney surgery.
Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of a kidney infection include:
- Being female. The urethra is shorter in women than it is in men, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel from outside the body to the bladder. The nearness of the urethra to the vagina and anus also creates more opportunities for bacteria to enter the bladder. Once in the bladder, an infection can spread to the kidneys. Pregnant women are at even higher risk of a kidney infection.
- Having a urinary tract blockage. This includes anything that slows the flow of urine or reduces your ability to empty your bladder when urinating — including a kidney stone, something abnormal in your urinary tract’s structure or, in men, an enlarged prostate gland.
- Having a weakened immune system. This includes medical conditions that impair your immune system, such as diabetes and HIV. Certain medications, such as drugs taken to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, have a similar effect.
- Having damage to nerves around the bladder. Nerve or spinal cord damage can block the sensations of a bladder infection so that you’re unaware when it’s advancing to a kidney infection.
- Using a urinary catheter for a time. Urinary catheters are tubes used to drain urine from the bladder. You might have a catheter placed during and after some surgical procedures and diagnostic tests. You might use one continuously if you’re confined to a bed.
- Having a condition that causes urine to flow the wrong way. In vesicoureteral reflux, small amounts of urine flow from your bladder back up into your ureters and kidneys. People with this condition are at higher risk of kidney infection during childhood and adulthood.
Complications
If left untreated, a kidney infection can lead to potentially serious complications, such as:
- Kidney scarring. This can lead to chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure and kidney failure.
- Blood poisoning (septicemia). Your kidneys filter waste from your blood and return your filtered blood to the rest of your body. Having a kidney infection can cause the bacteria to spread through your bloodstream.
- Pregnancy complications. Women who develop a kidney infection during pregnancy may have an increased risk of delivering low birth weight babies.
Prevention
Reduce your risk of kidney infection by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infections. Women, in particular, may reduce their risk of urinary tract infections if they:
- Drink fluids, especially water. Fluids can help remove bacteria from your body when you urinate.
- Urinate as soon as you need to. Avoid delaying urination when you feel the urge to urinate.
- Empty the bladder after intercourse. Urinating as soon as possible after intercourse helps clear bacteria from the urethra, reducing your risk of infection.
- Wipe carefully. Wiping from front to back after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra.
- Avoid using feminine products in the genital area. Using products such as deodorant sprays in your genital area or douches can be irritating.
NATURAL REMEDY FOR KIDNEY STONE / INFECTION
The Kidney Detox Kit is designed to detoxify, flush and purge the kidneys of built up toxins.
Toxins accumulate and stones form when the kidneys aren’t functioning at normal efficiency. A Kidney Detox involves eating a healthy organic diet and drinking an organic, herbal kidney cleanse supplement for 2 to 3 weeks to stimulate the kidneys and soften any deposits. The Kidney Detox protocol also includes an intestinal cleanse
with probiotic supplement which helps encourage a balanced internal environment to enable proper nutrient absorption.
The Top 4 Reasons Why You Need This Kidney Cleanse Kit
1. Supports Whole Body Detoxification
Each system in your body requires special attention. Just as the importance of liver cleansing is well known, kidney cleansing is mandatory for enhancing total body cleansing.
2. Promotes Normal Kidney Function
The primary responsibilities of the kidneys are to filter impurities from your body. If they’re not performing at normal efficiency, a buildup of toxins may result..
3. Detoxifies the Kidneys and Intestines
Your body’s waste management system has multiple departments. Forever Berry Nectar is effective at flushing impurities from the kidneys, Aloe Berry Nectar also provides trace amounts of calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc. Now that’s a mouthful of minerals! What better way to keep your kidneys in the shape it deserves. Your skin, will utilize these nutrients full of antioxidant capabilities. Your body needs the daily replenishment, and your body’s tissue cells, gums, blood vessels, bones and teeth will thank you too.
* Keep it together with Aloe Berry Nectar goodness. Shake well and drink daily!
4. Boosts Your Well Being
When you’re functioning normally on the inside, you feel great on the outside. Internal cleansing is one of the most effective measures for boosting your energy levels and making you feel better.
Health Benefits of a Kidney Detox
*Nutritional support helps the kidneys break down and eliminate toxins.
*Flushes excess uric acid, cleans the urinary tract.
*Promotes regular fluid balance to release water retention.
*Aloe gel uses the gentle power to detox the intestines and colon.
*Increases energy and vitality to encourage overall health.
Learn about the Top 3 Questions People ask about Kidney Cleansing
1. What can I expect?
A kidney cleanse may Hush deposits and toxins from your kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract. Because the Kidney Cleanse Kit includes Oxy-Powder, you can also expect to purge other toxic material trapped in the kidneys and intestines so they may also exit your body.
2. Is the kidney cleanse safe?
The Kidney Cleanse Kit is very safe and should not cause harm. Everyone is different, however, and some persons have reported experiencing a healing crisis. This is normal! Fatigue or headache are temporary and indicative of toxin movement.
3. How long will it take to cleanse my kidneys?
This depends on your current status. Many people have never cleansed their kidneys and have an accumulation of toxins. One cleanse may not be enough and performing three kidney cleanses a year is recommended. The best results are reported by people who have performed three cleanses in a row with a 5 day break between each.
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