Pyelonephritis: causes, symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pyelonephritis

Causes of pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is caused by a bacterial infection. Inflammation is often caused by the simultaneous activity of microorganisms of various types, activated against the background of predisposing factors.

The infection can enter the kidney in an ascending way - through the ureter, for example, from the bladder (in this case, pyelonephritis is a complication of cystitis) or from the genitals, which is especially typical for women: a woman’s urethra (urethra) is short, which facilitates the entry of infection. That is why pyelonephritis at the age of 18-30 years occurs in women more often than in men.

Another route of penetration is through the flow of lymph or blood. The infection can be transferred with blood even from distant foci of inflammation (for example, with tonsillitis, furunculosis, wound suppuration).

Factors contributing to the development of pyelonephritis

In most cases, the development of pyelonephritis requires the influence of local predisposing factors, including:

violation of the outflow of urine from the kidney;
impaired blood flow in the kidney;
diseases of nearby organs (primarily the intestines);
systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, etc.).

Among these factors, the most significant is the disruption of urine outflow. Stagnation of urine creates an environment favorable for the growth of bacteria, therefore, if the outflow of urine from the kidney is impaired, pyelonephritis is an expected disease.

Impaired urine flow may result from:

prostatitis or prostatic hyperplasia (prostate adenoma). Similar diseases are observed in many men over the age of 30, and the higher the age, the more likely the disease;
urolithiasis;
pregnancy (the growth of the uterus leads to compression of the ureter. Hormonal changes also affect).

Use of Fitolysin® paste in complex therapy of urinary tract infections

For cystitis, urethritis, exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis, treatment should be comprehensive. Together with the antibiotic, Fitolysin® paste can be prescribed to prepare an oral suspension (hereinafter referred to as Fitolysin®), which, according to the instructions, is used for the complex treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the urinary system.6

The drug has a natural composition, which includes a condensed extract of a mixture of plant raw materials (9 components), 4 essential oils and auxiliary components6.

Fitolysin® paste is intended for the preparation of an oral suspension. In this form, the active components are better absorbed into the blood and delivered directly to the site of inflammation.2,6 The convenient release form significantly simplifies the dosage and use of the drug.

The herbal preparation has antispasmodic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. According to the instructions, Fitolysin® paste should be taken 3-4 times a day, dissolving 1 teaspoon of the composition in half a glass of sweet warm water. The course of treatment lasts from 2 weeks to 1.5 months (can be extended if necessary).6

Symptoms of pyelonephritis

There are acute and chronic pyelonephritis.

Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis

Acute pyelonephritis begins suddenly. The main symptoms are as follows:

high temperature (39-40° C);
profuse sweat;
chills;
general weakness;
pain concentrated in the lumbar region (with unilateral pyelonephritis - on one side). The pain is dull in nature, but can be very severe.

Pyelonephritis often occurs against the background of obstructed urine outflow, but problems with urination are not a symptom of this disease.

Symptoms of chronic pyelonephritis

If during treatment the severity of the symptoms was relieved, but the inflammation did not completely stop, pyelonephritis becomes chronic. Often chronic pyelonephritis develops without a preceding acute process.

Chronic pyelonephritis manifests itself as a dull aching pain in the lumbar region, especially in cold and damp weather. There may be periods of exacerbation during which the severity of symptoms returns again.

Often chronic pyelonephritis occurs secretly. A moderately elevated body temperature (37-37.5° C) may persist, the cause of which remains unknown for a long time. Often, chronic pyelonephritis is accidentally discovered during a medical examination, caused by completely different patient complaints.

If chronic pyelonephritis is not detected in time and left untreated, it leads to the development of chronic renal failure, which in the early stages manifests itself as an increased number of nighttime urinations (two or more per night).

Disease prevention

To maintain kidney health and prevent the possibility of inflammation developing in them, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:

Treat infections of the genital and urinary organs in a timely manner.
Do not abuse alcohol, especially beer drinks.
Limit salt intake.
Don't ignore lower back pain.
Avoid hypothermia.
If you have an acute respiratory viral infection, stay in bed.
Undergo annual preventive examinations.

If there are already problems with the kidneys, then spices and hot seasonings are excluded from the diet. Maintain proper drinking regime. Monitor your immune system.

Only an independent, responsible attitude towards health will help to identify the disease in a timely manner and cope with it without serious consequences.

Methods for diagnosing pyelonephritis

The implicit nature of chronic pyelonephritis contributes to its prevalence (in the chronic form, pyelonephritis is much more common than in the acute form).

Meanwhile, pyelonephritis, including chronic one, is a serious disease that cannot be left without treatment. Each exacerbation of pyelonephritis involves more and more new areas of kidney tissue in inflammation. As a result of inflammation, the tissue dies and a scar appears in this place. The more such scars, the less normally functioning tissue remains. The kidney shrinks and stops working.

Diagnosis of pyelonephritis is carried out using laboratory and instrumental methods.

General urine analysis

A general urine test will reveal the presence of an inflammatory process. Pyelonephritis is characterized by an increase in the number of leukocytes, as well as the presence of bacteria (normally, bacteria should not be detected in the urine). The presence of protein and glucose is also likely. However, a general urine test cannot confirm the diagnosis of pyelonephritis, as similar results can be obtained for other diseases.