Dissolved minerals in the urine concentrate in the kidneys to kidney stones. The proper medical term for the disease is renal calculi . Bladder stones can also be found in the urinary tradt and bladder. nephrolithiasis ,urolithiasis and ureterolithiasis refers to the condition where one can find stone in kidney,urinary bladder and ureter which connects the kidney and the urinary bladder. Usually in normal conditions such stones leave the body while urinating , if the stones grow in sufficient size above 2 millimeter then they can obstruct the flow of urine. This can cause the muscles to try and force the stone out of the bladder which causes considerable pain. Due to this condition the renal pelvis and the upper ureter dilate or stretch causing a lot of discomfort. This situation causes considerable pain in the groin region and areas related to the passage of urine. The excess force applied can damage the linings of the urinary tract whic can cause bleeding which can be een with the naked eye. The major type of kidney stone is calcium oxalate stones and uric acid stones. People with abnormalism in their metabolic activities calcium phosphate and cystine stones are seen. If there is urinary infection struvite stones are seen all though this is very rare.
Treatment for kidney infection
Bacteria is the main cause of kidney infection. The most efficient and reliable form of treatment is by the usage of antibiotics. Oral treatment is sufficient in case of non severe incidents. In acute cases intravenous treatment is necessary. Intravenous treatment may be discontinued after the symptoms subsidises. Then normal oral treatment can be prescribed. Antibiotic used includes
- Fluoroquinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
- Beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin or cephalosporin), trimethoprimr (or co-trimoxazole).
Aminoglycosides are not generally used as they are highly toxic. These are sometimes used in the initial stages and discontinued thereafter.
An acute case of this disease requires Type IV hydration and IV antibiotic treatment and no time should be wasted in providing the same as it can be fatal.
Initial course of medicinal intake includes ciprofloxacin IV 400mg. The treatment may then be continued using, ampicillin IV 2g and gentamicin IV 1mg/kg. In pregnant patients ampicillin/gentamicin combination is preferred. Pregnant women should take extra care while being administered antibiotics.
Intravenous input and vasodilatation which increases the urine flow is practised in patients who are too unwell and septic. Surgery may be required in extreme cases to stop the recurring effects of this disease. Large amount of fluid intakes are also advised
Kidney infection : Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis, Pyelitis, and Urosepsis refers to urinary infection in the pelvis of the kidney.Pyelonephritis also refers to kidney infection in general. Sepsis is the natural inflammatory response to an infection. The symptoms of this very painful condition includes pain while urinating called dysuria , pain in the abdominal region and the bladder area along with the region around the affected kidney becomes tender. Systemic symptoms like fever, headache, violent shivering, vomiting and in extreme cases delirium may occur.
Diagnosis of this disease is fairly easy and can be confirmed on conducting one. Patients who show typical symptoms take a urine dip stick test. Presence of nitrite and white blood cells can definitely confirm pyelonephrits. This is sufficient enough for starting treatment. Diagnosis with the aid of urine culture can confirm the disease. If there is a lack of symptoms then one has to go in for blood culture test. If the signs include large amount of blood in urine and colicky pain it could be signs of kidney stone.
In such a case X-Rays of kidney, urine and bladder must be taken to assess the disease. X-ray can reveal kidney stones as it is radio-opaque. If the disease occurs again and again then it could be a case of flowing back of the urine from the bladder. It could be also a case of polycystic kidney disease. Such situations might require the need for taking ultrasound scan of the kidneys or cystourethrography.