The presence of infections in the kidneys can sometimes be asymptomatic, therefore, it poses a threat to the entire human body. If you have the first signs of the disease, you must consult a specialist. He will direct you to urinalysis. With pyelonephritis, the results will not be the best. In this article, you can find out what urine tests for pyelonephritis should be taken. In addition, here it will be possible to find the results of the decoding of the assigned examinations.
The main symptoms of the disease
Pyelonephritis usually begins with frequent urination and discomfort during urination. After this, other signs of the disease appear:
- fever and chills;
- back or side pain;
- nausea or vomiting
- sharp unpleasant odor and cloudy color of urine;
- blurred consciousness;
- blood in the urine.
In addition, pyelonephritis can develop against the background of other urinary tract ailments. They contribute to a decrease in the flow of urine.
So, kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia can be the cause of pyelonephritis. Still from this disease suffer people who have diabetes.
At the first signs of pyelonephritis, you should contact your doctor. He will prescribe the right treatment, and complications can be avoided.
Diagnosis of pyelonephritis
There are several effective ways that you can establish the correct diagnosis.
These include a physical examination by a specialist, as well as a study of the medical history.
One of the most effective and correct methods is the passing of a urinalysis. The types and methods of this examination will be described in more detail in the following sections of the article.
Also, the doctor may prescribe a blood test. It is handed over if the previous method is not informative. As a rule, the patient may be referred for a general blood test or biochemistry. There are still other types of this examination that are rarely used. So, there is an analysis to determine the C-reactive protein in serum and blood culture for sterility.
In addition to the methods described above for studying the presence of infection in the kidneys, there are others. For example, in practice, computed tomography of the abdominal cavity and kidneys is widely used. It should be remembered that only a specialist can decipher the results of the examination. Do not resort to self-medication and self-determination of results.
An ultrasound examination of the kidneys is also performed. A change in the structure of this organ and the presence of stones in them may indicate the development of a disease such as pyelonephritis.
Usually, with this ailment, the doctor prescribes a general urine test. In the case when it is not informative, other types of examinations may be prescribed. Which of them is necessary for the patient to go through, determines the specialist.
Urinalysis for pyelonephritis
Assign it not only in order to determine the presence of infections in the kidneys, but also to determine the general condition of the body.
There are several types of analyzes. Each of them is used in various cases to achieve a goal.
Urinalysis in acute pyelonephritis is used quite often. He is handed over for diagnosis, and after confirmation they undergo this examination every week.
Thanks to this analysis, an increase in the level of red blood cells can be detected. This is a sign of inflammation. In addition, from the examination you can find out the presence of coagulated proteins and granular cylinders. The visual characteristics of urine are also determined by this analysis. The color, the presence of impurities and consistency can be said about the presence or absence of infections in the kidneys.
What other types of urine tests exist?
It also happens that the examination described above for chronic pyelonephritis can be the same as in a healthy person. In this case, the specialist prescribes other types of tests.
For example, a test for urogenital infection helps confirm the presence in the urine of an uncharacteristic flora. A test for sterility gives an explanation of what type the pathogen belongs to. Also, with the help of it, the sensitivity of the latter to antibiotics for infection in the kidneys is determined.
Urine according to Nechiporenko gives up if other examinations have not shown changes in the composition of urine. It is this analysis that determines the ratio in percent of leukocytes and other components. Urine according to Nechiporenko, like a general analysis, surrenders early in the morning.
In addition to these species, there is another study, thanks to which it is possible to recognize the presence of infections in the kidneys. A urinalysis according to Zimnitsky with pyelonephritis is collected within 24 hours. This allows you to identify the general condition of the kidneys. Most often, this type of examination is used in pediatrics. The analysis allows you to determine fluctuations in the density and daily volume of urine. The results also show the presence or absence of renal failure.
Any changes in urinalysis with pyelonephritis indicate infections in the kidneys. After the results of the examination, the specialist prescribes the appropriate treatment.
How to prepare for a urinalysis?
Before the examination, it is not recommended to eat those foods that can change the color of urine. These include fruits and vegetables, as well as lollipops.
The fair sex, if they have begun menstruation, should wait with the delivery of a urine test. This should be reported to a specialist.
Before collecting urine, genitals should be washed. In addition, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene.
The day before the examination, it is not recommended to take diuretics. Otherwise, the result will be unreliable.
Indicators and interpretation of urine tests
In general, there are criteria by which to assess the health status of the kidneys. Deviation from them indicates the presence of any diseases in the human body.
A large number of red blood cells in the urine indicates diseases of the genitourinary system. So, normally in men there should be about 1, and in women - up to 3.
Leukocytes in the fair sex in the urine should be up to 6, and in the stronger sex - up to 3. Deviations indicate urolithiasis and infection in the kidneys.
There should not be bilirubin at all. Its presence in the urine suggests that there are toxic substances and inflammation in the human body.
Protein in urine may be present if the tubules of the kidney are damaged due to various infections.
Detection of ketones in the urine indicates that the patient is suffering from diabetes. This is indicated by the presence of glucose.
Acidity should normally be between 5 and 7 ph. Signs of pyelonephritis by urine analysis are confirmed if this indicator is lower or higher than the indicated figures. In addition, oxidation or alkalization indicate not only this disease, but also other pathologies.
Thus, the answer to the question of how to determine pyelonephritis by urine analysis will be a correct decoding of all examination indicators. And if any of them deviates from the norm, then this indicates the presence of infections in the human body in the kidneys.
For a more accurate confirmation of the diagnosis, a specialist can send the patient for re-examination.
Blood test for pyelonephritis
It also happens that urine that is given to patients is not informative enough. Then the doctor directs the patient for a blood test. He will better clarify the picture. This examination is divided into two types: general and blood tests for biochemistry. Each of them will be discussed in more detail in the following sections of the article.
Why do they have a general blood test for pyelonephritis?
This examination helps to identify an increase in the level of leukocytes, which indicates an inflammatory process in the human body. Blood is taken from the capillary of the finger of the right hand.
Analysis is taken early in the morning. It happens that these rules are violated for a more rapid diagnosis of the disease. But the blood that surrenders in the morning is more informative.
Analysis should be taken on an empty stomach. Previously, you can not eat food for 9 hours, you can drink.
Also, a couple of days before the general blood test it is strictly forbidden to abuse alcohol. You should abandon strong physical exertion and not worry.
Before taking blood from a finger, do not warm your hands. Since this action can lead to an increase in the level of leukocytes, this can contribute to an incorrect diagnosis.
In which case is it necessary to take a blood test for biochemistry?
This type of examination is prescribed by a specialist if there is a suspicion of improper kidney function. An analysis of pyelonephritis will show that the amount of nitrogenous products and urea has increased.
As a rule, blood for biochemistry is collected from the veins of the left wrist. Also, with this type of examination, as well as in general, you must not eat for 9 hours and come in the morning to the analysis collection room. Observe the rules for preparing for the assigned study. This will ensure the reliability of the tests and the diagnosis made by the doctor.
What do the indicators of a blood test for pyelonephritis mean?
Only the person who has a special education can decipher the results correctly. Patients should pay attention to several indicators, such as:
- increased white blood cell count;
- decrease in specific gravity of blood;
- a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin;
- high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate);
- an increase in the molar mass of uric acid, normally it should be up to 0.4 millimole per liter;
- decrease in total protein;
- the level of alpha-2-globulin is more than 13%, and gamma globulin is more than 23%.
Conclusions on the analysis of urine and blood can only be done by a specialist. He also diagnoses pyelonephritis. In this case, do not self-medicate. It is necessary to follow all the doctor's recommendations and take appropriate medications.