If you suddenly experience a dull ache or pain in your sides or abdomen, you may think you have a bad stomachache or intestinal virus. However, you may actually have a bad infection in your kidneys (pyelonephritis). Back pain isn't the only symptom kidney infections produce. The infections can also cause pain in your sides (or flanks), midsection, groin area, and lower back region. You may also experience a host of other problems that indicate an infection. Learn more about the symptoms of a bad kidney infection and how to get over them below.
What Are the Symptoms of a Kidney Infection?
Your kidneys are some of the most critical organs in your body. The bean-shaped organs filter and eliminate body waste up to 400 times per day, including excess water, germs, lymph fluid, and old blood cells. Your kidneys carry out these functions every day of your life.
Drinking plenty of water, cranberry juice, and other healthy fluids gives your kidneys the power they need to flush impurities out of your body. If you don't drink enough fluids throughout the day, your kidneys can build up with impurities. Health conditions can also affect the functions of your kidneys, including high blood sugar, sexually transmitted diseases, and stress. All of these problems can weaken your kidneys and allow an infection to develop inside them.
The symptoms of pyelonephritis can vary from adult to adult. However, most adults experience middle back pain. Other people may develop a sharp or dull ache in their abdomen, flanks, and lower back. The aching feeling can spread to the groin region or pelvis as well.
Some individuals can become so nauseous that they vomit. Vomiting can cause you to lose valuable fluids and nutrients from your body over time. If you lose too many fluids, your kidneys can fail.
If you wait to treat your symptoms, your infection can become worse. You want to visit an emergency care clinic instead.
How Do You Treat the Infection in Your Kidneys?
An urgent care doctor and their nurses can take samples of your urine and blood during your visit. When the body has a bad infection, it produces a great number of white blood cells called leukocytes to fight it. Leukocytes will continue to multiply and grow until the infection subsides. The overgrowth of white blood cells may trigger additional problems in your kidneys, such as inflammation and swelling.
In addition to blood and urine tests, a doctor may take pictures (X-rays) of your kidneys. X-rays can create detailed images of your kidneys and surrounding tissues. If the infection has spread beyond your kidneys, X-rays can help a doctor quickly locate where it has spread.
Once an emergency doctor determines the extent and location of your infection, they'll administer treatment. Your treatment may include taking a round of antibiotics to fight the infection in your kidneys and body. Antibiotics can take one to two weeks before they completely overcome an infection of the kidneys. If your symptoms subside sooner, don't stop taking your medication until a doctor instructs you to do so. The infection can come back at a later date.
If you're extremely dehydrated from your ordeal, a doctor may try to increase your body's fluid levels with intravenous (IV) treatment. Intravenous treatment is often used in acute or emergency situations. An urgent care doctor or staff member can provide more detail about IV treatment during your visit.
It's important to drink water and other clear fluids during your recovery. Fluids can help remove any residual infection from your kidneys and blood.
If you need additional information about your symptoms or kidney infections, contact an emergency care clinic today.
Share6 June 2018
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