Kidney Infection Causes

Kidneys are one of the most vital organs of the human body and they help in keeping the blood clean and balance the chemicals of the body. Kidneys help the circulatory and digestive system by keeping the composition of the chemicals in the body balanced. Kidneys are located near the middle of back, just under the rib cage. The two kidneys are located on each side of the spine. The breakdown of tissues and food, leads to the excretion of waste in the blood, that is removed by the kidneys. If kidneys don't remove the toxic wastes from the body, it builds up inside the body leading to kidney failure and various other kidney diseases. The kidneys actually remove the waste by the help of millions of tiny units called nephrons. The glomerulus and tubule also act in tandem with the nephrons in the process of waste removal. The extra water is passed through the ureters and is stored in the urinary bladder, until it is passed out from the body during urination.

What Causes Kidney Infection?
The causes of kidney infections, vary on the type of infection that has occurred. The kidney diseases grow gradually due to the resilience power of the kidneys, but over a period of few years, they may result in severe kidney infections.

Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis, one of the common kidney infections is caused due to bacterial infections. The bacteria usually grows in the intestines, due to the wastes in the kidney. The ascending urinary tract infection that reaches the pelvis of the kidney is called pyelonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is the kidney infection that is caused due to allergic or immune response to infection in some other body part. In glomerulonephritis the filters of the kidney (glomeruli) get damaged and this leads to the passage of blood and minerals in the urine. Glomerulonephritis causes severe kidney infection and can lead to other kidney diseases. Some medical experts also agree that glomerulonephritis can also be caused due to weak immune system, that lowers the ability of the body to fight against bacterial and viral infection. In children, streptococcal infection is held as a major cause of glomerulonephritis. Throat infections and infections in the respiratory system also lead to glomerulonephritis in children.

Diabetes Mellitus
One of the major risk factors or causes of kidney infections is diabetes mellitus, that can lead to renal failure and severe complications in the kidney. Both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are major kidney infection causes.

Besides these, some other kidney infection causes are follows

• Kidney stones
• Chronic bladder infections
• Enlarged prostate

Kidney Infection: Signs and Symptoms
Kidney infections are very dangerous and if they are not checked at the earliest, they may cause major problems to the health of the person. Mentioned below, are some of the signs and symptoms of kidney infections.

Burning Sensation
Severe burning sensation during urination may be a sign of kidney infection. It is one of the obvious symptoms of urinary tract infections. It may become difficult for the person to urinate and its quite different from the common yeast infections. The pain can often be enough to bring tears in the eyes of the person.

Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain, concentrated in a small area near the end of the back, persistent for a long time, can be a hint of kidney trouble. The pain may be erratic and may repeat at several intervals during the day while traveling, sitting or walking. The pain could be severe at times. This is another symptom of kidney infection.

Mild Fever
A mild fever at the initial stage of the kidney infection is quite common. There may even be a drastic rise in the fever at the later stages of the infection. This is another sign of kidney infection.

Fatigue
If you are facing some continuous fatigue problems, then it is highly probable that your kidney is infected. You may try to work, but you will feel exhausted and completely drained out of energy. At times, you may even find it difficult to keep your eyes open.

Kidney Infection Treatment
Diagnosis of kidney infection involves checking the blood, pus and urine of the person. Once the reports come, it will be easily evident, if the person has a kidney infection. The treatment process of the kidney infection is done by administering antibiotics in the veins of the person or through a drip. If the symptoms persist, accompanied by dehydration, then the person should be admitted to the hospital. Drinking lots of fluid and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent us from the kidney infections.

It is extremely crucial for the health of the person, that once the kidney infection is diagnosed, he/she should take proper care and treatment, and strictly follow the diet and prescriptions of the medical expert. Very severe cases of kidney infections can lead to blood poisoning in the kidney.