Renal pyelonephritis is an infectious and inflammatory process that is triggered by various bacteria. It begins mainly in the pelvis or medulla of the kidney. There are two main ways for infection to enter the body and they are associated with urinary and filtering functions.
In most people, against the background of the course of pyelonephritis, immunity is weakened. This contributes to a more rapid development of infectious processes. If timely treatment of the acute stage is not carried out, then it becomes chronic. It can provoke many different complications, in particular, such as high blood pressure and chronic renal failure.
Features of the disease
Renal pyelonephritis is a disease that threatens the most dangerous and complex consequences. If the first signs of the disease occur, you should immediately consult a doctor for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Basically, the pathological process affects only one kidney. Often women suffer from this disease, but in old age, inflammation affects men more. In women, pyelonephritis mainly develops after cystitis, and in men with prostatitis, adenoma, and urolithiasis.
This is an infectious disease affecting the urinary system, as well as the upper urinary tract. The acute form is expressed by significant soreness, however, it can be cured fairly quickly with proper treatment, mainly arising from other disorders of the genitourinary system. The chronic form is dangerous in that it can occur without special external manifestations, but it affects the structure of the renal tissue. Chronic inflammation is accompanied by impaired renal function.
Causes of occurrence
It has not yet been possible to determine the causative agent of pyelonephritis of the kidneys. It is believed that pathogens can be caused by pathogens that enter the body from the outside. Often this is Escherichia coli or various kinds of cocci. The main routes of infection in the kidneys are:
- lymphogenous;
- urogenic;
- hematogenous.
The development of kidney pyelonephritis is facilitated by factors such as:
- weakness;
- chronic stress;
- lack of vitamins;
- overwork;
- decreased immunity.
Women are most at risk of infection, as their urethra is located very close to the anus where bacteria from the intestines gather. This greatly facilitates pathogens access to the urethra. Sometimes a kidney infection can occur without infection of the bladder. For example, this can occur if kidney stones occur during pyelonephritis.
The main symptoms
Inflammation of the kidneys, pyelonephritis, is one of the most common kidney diseases. Symptoms in the course of this disease largely depend on its form. Among the main signs of pyelonephritis of the kidneys, proceeding in the acute stage, we can distinguish:
- a sharp increase in temperature;
- fever;
- chills;
- dizziness;
- general malaise;
- body aches;
- nausea and vomiting.
With the development of the inflammatory process, pulling or sharp pains in the lumbar region, a change in the color of urine, frequent urges and painful sensations during urination can also join all these symptoms. If the pathology was provoked by various disorders and concomitant diseases, then there is a gradual increase in lower back pain, variable chills and sweating.
When a chronic course occurs, kidney disease (pyelonephritis) shows signs in waves. In the period of remission, symptoms are not observed, and with exacerbation, inflammation affects more and more new areas of the affected organ, which leads to the gradual death of tissues.
Exacerbation periods are similar in their manifestation to the acute course of pyelonephritis, however, their course may not be so sharp. Subsequently, scars, pustules, abscesses form on the site of the affected tissues, which periodically provoke an unreasonable increase in temperature, general malaise, the formation of swelling, and a decrease in the functioning of the organ.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of renal pyelonephritis can be significantly difficult due to the asymptomatic course or the development of other disorders against the background of inflammation. An acute violation during timely research and complex treatment can be completely eliminated, and with improper or incomplete therapy, the disease can go into the chronic stage. Complications in this case can be inflammatory processes in the organ itself, abscesses, purulent reactions, renal failure and tissue death.
The presence of pyelonephritis can be determined during blood and urine tests, which, in addition to external changes, can also contain proteins, sand, an increased level of white blood cells, as well as pathogens. In such cases, an additional urine test is prescribed according to Nechiporenko and Zemnitsky.
When a chronic form occurs for diagnosis, you should contact a urologist. He will select research methods that will help determine the presence of a problem, the nature of the changes, as well as select the required therapy. Such techniques include instrumental examination, namely:
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- excretory urography;
- abdominal aortography;
- retrograde pyeloureterography;
- radionuclide studies.
The main research method is ultrasound diagnostics, which allows us to draw a conclusion regarding changes in the size, location of the kidneys, and their structure. To determine the functionality of this organ, it is necessary to conduct excretory urography. This method using a contrast medium refers to more detailed methods than ultrasound.
Treatment features
How to treat kidney pyelonephritis can be determined by the attending doctor, who selects the best methodology for conducting therapy. An integrated treatment approach is recommended. In particular, such groups of drugs are used as:
- antibacterial drugs;
- antimicrobial agents;
- diuretics;
- drugs to normalize blood circulation in the kidneys;
- vitamin complexes;
- herbal remedies.
It is worth noting that when prescribing antibiotics, you must strictly follow the dosage regimen and adhere to the prescribed course even in the event of normalization of well-being. In addition to this, traditional medicine methods can be applied, however, you must first coordinate this with your doctor.
Secondary pyelonephritis also implies the treatment of the underlying disease, which provoked inflammation of the kidneys. With a very complex course of the disease and the occurrence of various kinds of complications, surgical intervention is indicated. For a quick normalization of well-being, it is recommended to follow a special therapeutic diet.
Drug therapy
Treatment of kidney pyelonephritis is prescribed by a nephrologist. It should consist of a set of measures aimed at eliminating the main causes that provoke inflammation in this organ, and many other factors that disrupt the normal outflow of urine. In addition, it is important to conduct drug and symptomatic therapy.
In the acute form of primary inflammation, antibiotics are prescribed for pyelonephritis of the kidneys. The complex of antibiotic therapy may include cephalosporins, penicillin, antimicrobials, diuretics, herbal preparations, vitamin complexes.
The duration of therapy depends largely on the severity of the disease and can last for several weeks. With the course of the secondary form, initially it is necessary to restore the outflow of urine, and then antibiotics of the last generation are prescribed for pyelonephritis of the kidneys, which destructively affect the course of the inflammatory process. This will eliminate the existing provoking factors, thereby preventing the occurrence of relapses. Thus, it is possible to completely cure the affected organ.
Natural antiseptics and antibiotics are widely used for pyelonephritis of the kidneys in women, in particular, such as Nolitsin and Monural. Derivatives of semisynthetic penicillin are considered the basis of antibacterial treatment, which destroy the E. coli, which provokes the occurrence of diseases of the urinary system.
Monural is considered to be a very good antibiotic for pyelonephritis of the kidneys. This is a broad-spectrum drug that inhibits the reproduction mechanism of pathogens already in the initial stages of the disease. The drug is very rapidly absorbed and has an antibacterial effect on all groups of pathogens.
The course of therapy with this agent is only 1 day, and the dosage is selected by the doctor purely individually. During the period of taking the medicine you need to drink plenty of fluids. In addition, the medicine has a small spectrum of contraindications.
Another good medicine is Nolitsin. It refers to antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone group. This drug has a powerful antibacterial effect on the urinary system. When taken, Nolitsin is not fully absorbed, so doctors recommend taking it on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after eating.
Regardless of the form of the disease, taking into account the patient’s history, anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Nimesil, Paracetomol, detoxifying agents, and also a medicine that normalizes microcirculation, such as Heparin, Dipyridamole, can be additionally prescribed by a doctor.
Folk techniques
How to treat kidney pyelonephritis at home to consolidate a good result and prevent relapse is of interest to many patients. Alternative methods are prescribed as an adjunct to drug therapy. Tea made from blackcurrant leaves is highly effective. To do this, 2 tbsp. l dry leaves pour 500 ml of water, and then boil for 10 minutes. Leave to infuse for an hour, and then take several times a day.
For the treatment of kidney pyelonephritis, you can use herbal collection, prepared on the basis of motherwort, St. John's wort, nettle, plantain, marshmallow, hop cones. Pour the prepared collection with boiling water and leave for 1 hour. Take the broth warm several times a day.
In addition, you can prepare herbal infusion based on nettle, yarrow, St. John's wort, coltsfoot, clover. The finished product must be poured with hot water. Boil for 15 minutes, and then leave to infuse for 1 hour. Ready-made infusion is best consumed with honey after a meal.
Dieting
At the very beginning of the course of the disease, it is necessary to do only fruit days in combination with a warm, plentiful drink. The amount of fluid consumed per day must be at least 2 liters. It is recommended to drink fruit drinks, compotes, herbal teas, mineral water, a decoction of wild rose, mountain ash.
Nutrition with pyelonephritis of the kidneys must be balanced, high-quality and contain a large amount of nutrients. Thanks to the diuretic effect, melons, watermelons, and zucchini are very suitable. They help to remove accumulated toxins and toxic substances from the body.
If you feel better, then you should gradually switch to a vegetable-milk diet. In addition to absolutely any dairy products, you need to include fresh fruits, vegetables, and juices in your daily diet. All foods should be high in vitamins. It is necessary to limit salt intake as much as possible.
In the absence of acute manifestations of the disease, you can eat low-fat cottage cheese, boiled fish and meat. It is forbidden to consume coffee, alcohol, fried and greasy dishes, spices, canned food. In the chronic form during the period of remission, no special diet is required.
Surgical intervention
Surgery is resorted to only in cases where drug therapy has no effect and the disease progresses more and more. Often, surgery is performed during the course of purulent pyelonephritis, when the removal of apostem or carbuncles is required.
The operation helps to stop the subsequent lesion, preserve the organ, as well as its functionality. In addition, it helps prevent the subsequent spread of inflammation to an intact kidney and normalize the outflow of urine.
Possible complications
Pyelonephritis itself is not so dangerous, however, its consequences can be very serious. The acute form of the disease can go into the chronic stage with periodic relapses. In addition, pyelonephritis causes many inconveniences to a person suffering from this disease.
The chronic form is characterized by the occurrence of periodic relapses. Suppuration can additionally join the infectious process, and this threatens with the loss of the affected organ. That is why the treatment should be approached with all responsibility. This disease can often occur without severe symptoms, which is very dangerous, since there is no way to timely diagnose and prescribe the subsequent comprehensive treatment.
Preventive measures
The acute form of pyelonephritis responds well to therapy and can be completely cured. However, if the problems of urine outflow are observed for a long time and the inflammation becomes chronic, then the treatment is rather difficult.
To avoid frequent bouts of exacerbation, you need to carry out a systematic monitoring of all changes occurring in the body. It is indicated to regularly do a blood and urine test.
Preventive measures are the complete exclusion of factors that provoke the occurrence of pyelonephritis. It is very important to visit the toilet in a timely manner, comprehensively treat infectious diseases, maintain a good state of the immune system, and avoid hypothermia.
Be sure to follow the principles of healthy, proper nutrition and hygiene, monitor your well-being, dress warmly. By observing all these simple rules and recommendations, you can save yourself from complex, long-term treatment and dangerous consequences.
Pyelonephritis can cause many complications, which is why when the first signs of inflammation occur, you need to immediately carry out complex therapy.