{"id":1985,"date":"2018-07-13T04:30:58","date_gmt":"2018-07-13T04:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1985"},"modified":"2021-03-17T19:22:54","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T19:22:54","slug":"10-general-kidney-infection-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-general-kidney-infection-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 General Kidney Infection Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kidney infections can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort, and they can even turn out to cause permanent damage to your body if it goes undiagnosed and untreated for too long. Sometimes, a kidney infection can accompany a range of diseases \u2013 and in severely advanced cases of the disease, the permanent damage done to the kidneys will mean that you have no choice but to be put on the organ transplant list.<\/p>\n

This could take months to years, sometimes even decades before the damage that has been done to your body can be reversed. In many cases, it unfortunately can\u2019t. You should keep your kidneys as healthy as possible, and you will want to catch any symptoms of a kidney infection early on. How will you know if you have the potential of an infection that\u2019s coursing through your body? Here are ten of the general kidney infection symptoms that you should be looking out for.<\/p>\n

1. Change in Urine Colour<\/h3>\n

One of the first changes that will take place in your body when you have a kidney infection is a change in the color of the urine: To understand why this happens, you have to first understand just what the kidneys do as part of the body. The kidneys act as the body\u2019s internal filtration system, and everything you do to your body \u2013 and which is expelled through your urine \u2013 has to make its way through your kidneys.<\/p>\n

Thus, one of the first signs that there is something wrong with your kidneys is any change in the color of your urine<\/a>. Usually, in the case of a kidney infection, you\u2019ll note that the urine is much darker than it would normally be \u2013 though sometimes lighter. Accompanying this, a burning sensation when urinating is common with a kidney infection, and in the more advanced stages of the disease, you will also see blood in the urine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

2. Lower Back Pain<\/h3>\n

If you are experiencing constant, nagging back pain then it might not be your back at all \u2013 the pain might be related to your kidneys<\/a>, and the symptoms on this list combined with lower back pain will almost certainly mean that you need to get checked out for a kidney infection. Keep in mind that there can be many causes that are behind back pain: The first of them is bad posture, and some correction when you\u2019re walking, sitting down or sleeping could be all you need to make the pain go away \u2013 and your back re-align itself in the process.<\/p>\n

Arthritis is also another potential cause of back pain, and it could also be possible that you have stretched or sprained something. Visit your doctor to ensure that all other causes for your back pain are ruled out; this way, you\u2019re treating the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

3. Yellowing of the Skin<\/h3>\n

Yellowing of the skin could signal that you have a very advanced kidney infection<\/a>, or it could mean that you have severe problems with your liver; usually by the point that you experience yellowing of the skin as a symptom, you are close to your liver or kidneys starting to shut down, and will need immediate medical attention to correct the damage.<\/p>\n

Sometimes medication is enough to do the trick and restore you to normal liver and kidney function, but if the problem goes untreated for a long enough time or the infection is virulent enough, then you might be pushed to the point where you will need a replacement of one or two of the organs. There are other things that might cause yellowing of the skin, including certain types of medications and an over-intake of the colorant that you find in, for example, carrots and carrot juice: Carotene. <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"4. Alcohol Toxicity<\/h3>\n

The main job of the kidneys and liver is to filter toxins that pass through your body. Some of these toxins are things like coffee \u2013 and alcohol. If you have a kidney or liver infection, then the way your body processes toxins<\/a> like alcohol will change; with an infection and diminished function in these organs, your body will be completely unable to filter these toxins through as they normally would: In turn, you might find that you are completely smashed after just one drink, or you experience severe symptoms of alcohol toxicity \u2013 even when you only had one or two drinks.<\/p>\n

If you are a full-blown alcoholic, you will get placed at the bottom of the organ transplant list automatically, and you could wait much longer than anyone else to get your transplant. If you want to take care of your health, make sure that you don\u2019t over-indulge in things like alcohol \u2013 especially when you are already sick.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"5. Burning when Urinating<\/h3>\n

If you experience any kind of burning feeling or discomfort<\/a> when urinating, then it\u2019s almost sure that you have some kind of kidney infection \u2013 or urinary tract infection, which can be directly related to a kidney infection since all of these systems are interconnected within your body. Your kidneys filter out any toxins in your body, and will also filter out any excess vitamins and minerals that your body is unable to absorb.<\/p>\n

This is why the first place you will notice a kidney infection is often in the urine \u2013 which will usually change in color in addition to being painful and uncomfortable. You might also experience bouts of incontinence if the kidney infection is in more advanced stages, and should make an immediate appointment with your doctor if this is the case. Burning when urinating can also signal symptoms of certain sexually transmitted diseases; take note if you have had unprotected sex.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"6. Rashes<\/h3>\n

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms on this list in combination with an inexplicable rash<\/a>, then it could be a likely fact that you have a kidney infection. Make an appointment with your doctor immediately, and start drinking plenty of water \u2013 if you are drinking a lot of unhealthy things such as coffee, soda, and energy drinks, cut down on these and replace it with water or fruit juice.<\/p>\n

Sometimes it could also help to take a diuretic, such as cranberry juice, and you could take fruit salts to take care of the burning feeling when you urinate \u2013 this should normalize the Ph-levels, though will in many cases not treat the underlying cause of your infection. There are many other things that can be behind the symptoms of a rash \u2013 including many disorders of the skin, such as eczema. Mention this to your doctor to rule out any other causes of the rash.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

7. Blood in Urine<\/h3>\n

The first way to spot an infection of the urinary tract and kidneys is changed in the urine \u2013 either in the frequency that is urinated or in the way that the urine comes out. Take note if there are any changes in the color of your urine, or if it suddenly burns when you urinate. These things could all be the sign of an underlying kidney infection or urinary tract<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If the infection is in its more advanced stages, then you could be looking at blood in the urine instead. Small amounts of blood in urine or semen does not necessarily signal an infection and many times it happening once is not something to worry about: But if it continues happening and you spot blood in your urine over a long period of time, or the color of your urine changes and starts to burn, then you should make an appointment with your doctor and switch to drinking only plenty of water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

8. Lowered Immunity<\/h3>\n

If you have any kind of infection in your body, then your body will naturally try to combat it using the only ways it knows how: Often, these ways will manifest externally in the form of susceptibility to general infections, and you will notice that you generally start to feel sick. Your immune system<\/a> will be attacked and severely compromised if you are battling a kidney infection, and you will suddenly start to get sick easier.<\/p>\n

If you want to avoid picking up another infection because of the first one, then you should ensure that you keep everything sterile and clean \u2013 ensure that you are not placed in a situation where you have to have direct contact with other people who might carry infections, and it will be a huge help to your health to take along things like sanitary wipes and alcohol rub wherever you go to rid everything around you of infection too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

9. Adrenal Response<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve already mentioned in this article that the kidneys will filter out any toxins from your body, as well as any excess vitamins and minerals: This is the main job of the kidneys, but not the only thing that the kidneys do. Your adrenal glands are also linked directly to your kidneys, and the one will certainly affect the other. The adrenal glands are the glands that produce adrenaline<\/a> in the body.<\/p>\n

Adrenaline is a necessary by-product of the body, and you might notice that adrenaline is responsible for the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response that most people know in a situation where they are forced to run or panic. If you have a kidney infection that affects everything else in your body, you might have an increased adrenal response: You might find that you are exhausted more often, or that your heart rate shoots sky-high for no reason: For this, your doctor might prescribe additional beta-blockers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

10. General Changes in Health<\/h3>\n

If you have an underlying kidney infection, then you will likely experience some or all of the symptoms that we\u2019ve gone through on this list; you might experience only some of them at once, or you might experience several. Make an appointment with your doctor if this is the case, and they will likely prescribe an antibiotic to take care of the infection, and they might recommend some general changes to your lifestyle and diet<\/a> that ensures you don\u2019t have to come back for another kidney infection in a couple of months.<\/p>\n

This are only some of the symptoms related to kidney infection, and there are still some other symptoms that could come with a kidney infection \u2013 including pain that manifests in other parts of the body entirely. Always take note of any general changes in your health, even those you don\u2019t think are important and report these changes to your doctor at your next appointment.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Bad Smelling Urine<\/h3>\n

If you go to the toilet to pee and notice that your urine smells unusually foul, it may be a sign of kidney infection. Your kidneys are the start of the renal system, which links to the bladder. When bacteria<\/a> infecting the kidneys starts to travel to the bladder, and own through the urethra, their presence can make your urine develop a strong, unpleasant odor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bacteria collect in the bladder, and you may notice that it turns your urine dark and cloudy. Bacteria produce a particular smell, think of it like food left out on a table. As bacteria invade the food and colonize, they start to decompose the material, and a foul smell begins to develop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bacteria collecting in your urine also produce a strong odor. If left unchecked they may also infect your urinary tract, creating symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with a urinary tract infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"12. Increase in Urine Frequency<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Along with the symptoms of fouls smelling urine, you may notice that you start to need to pee more frequently than usual. This increase in urinary frequency comes from the body\u2019s attempt to flush out the invading bacteria. The immune system notices the infection and increases the production of enzymes<\/a> responsible for creating urine. <\/span><\/p>\n

As these enzymes reach high levels, they signal the body to produce more urine. While this may seem like a healthy response, it can become a severe complication. When we pee, we release minerals in your urine, along with water. As a result, we may experience a mineral imbalance, that can end up with the affected individual suffering a seizure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peeing all the time also depletes your body of water. Dehydration can exacerbate the symptoms of kidney infection, and lead to the progression of the disease into a more severe condition. It\u2019s vital that you keep drinking water to flush your kidneys and stay hydrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"13. Persistent Urge to Urinate<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Kidney infection increases the urinary frequency, and it can also increase your urge to urinate as well. The same enzymes that increase urinary frequency signal the brain<\/a> and renal system, making you feel like peeing, even after you\u2019ve been to the bathroom. This symptom can become incredibly frustrating, and many people find it hard to fall asleep due to the constant urge to urinate. These symptoms of a kidney infection can also be very irritating at work, especially when you’re running to the bathroom every 5-minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your doctor treats a kidney infection with the administration of prescription antibiotics. Most people will begin to see a reduction in symptoms within 24 to 48-hours after starting their course of medication. If you don\u2019t see any relief after starting your drug protocol, speak to your doctor \u2013 you may have an underlying health condition you\u2019re not aware of, and its best to get yourself checked out by your physician.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"14. Fever and Chills<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

When the body experiences an infection, it signals the brain to produce more \u201cpyrogens.\u201d \u00a0These enzymes increase your body temperature, inducing a fever. The body\u2019s natural defense to infection is to raise your internal temperature, resulting in a fever. While many doctors agree that fevers are a necessary part of clearing a virus, they can become dangerous if left unmanaged. \u00a0A high temperature can cause delirium, and affect the normal function of the brain. <\/span><\/p>\n

When your body increases its production of pyrogens, resulting in a fever, it may take your body a while to catch up to the correct temperature. This lag leads to chills, as your body adjusts to the new temperature<\/a> setting. It\u2019s for this reason that you can feel hot and sweaty at one moment, and cool a few minutes later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory to help you cope with the fever, but most doctors will leave it alone if they think it’s not dangerous to your health.<\/span>\r\n

<\/div>