Transcript NEPHRITIS
aka
Kidney Infection (pyelonephritis), glomerulonephritis,
Definition:
Pyelonephritis = a specific type of urinary tract
infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or
bladder and travels up into your kidneys.
Glomerulonephritis = a type of kidney disease that
damages your kidney’s ability to remove waste and
excess fluids
Etiology and Pathophysiology
Affects the renal pelvis and parenchyma
Infection develops in scattered areas and spreads from
renal pelvis to cortex
Kidney becomes edematous
Abscesses may develop
Tissue destruction primarily affects the tubules
Scar tissue replaces normal tissue and affected tubules
atrophy
E-coli is the most common cause
Proteus and Klebsiella bacteria are less common
Acute form: usually caused by bacterial infection
Chronic form: associated with nonbacterial infections
such as metabolic, chemical, or immunologic
disorders.
Vesicoureteral reflux
Symptoms of Kidney Infection
Fever
Back, flank, or groin pain
Abdominal pain
Frequency in urination
Strong urge to urinate
Burning or pain on urination
Pus or blood in the urine
Causes of Kidney Infection
Typically occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract
through the urethra
Bacteria from infection elsewhere in the body can
spread through the bloodstream and infect the
kidneys.
Rarely, after kidney surgery
Risk Factors
Female anatomy
Poor hygiene
Obstruction in the urinary tract
Weakened immune system
Damage to nerves around the bladder
Prolonged use of a urinary catheter
Urine flowing the wrong way
Congenital malformations
Diabetes mellitus
Complications of Kidney Infection
Permanent kidney damage
Septicemia
Pregnancy complications
Tests and Treaments
Urine studies: urinalysis and urine culture; 24-hour
urine collection, clean catch urine specimen or urinary
catheterization (creatinine clearance, or protein)
Ultrasonography: size, shape and position
Blood studies: BUN, Serum creatinine clearance
Treatment
MEDICATIONS
Antimicrobials – Sulfonamides (Bactrim; Septra)
Antispasmodics – Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Urine color is reddish-orange
Stains clothing
Analgesics – Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen
**lots of choices, these are examples of each
Non-Pharmacologic therapies
Apply heat
If a heating pad is used, it should only be set on low and
used for 30-45 minutes and then removed for 1 hour.
(the rebound phenomenon kicks in if used for a longer
period of time).
Hydration – helps flush bacteria from the body (no
caffeine, citrus or alcohol until the infection has
cleared (these products promote urgency and
frequency)
Prevention
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
Urinate frequently
Empty the bladder after intercourse
Avoid feminine products in the genital area
Use proper hygiene
Glomerulonephritis
A type of kidney disease that damages the kidneys’
ability to remove waste and excess fluids
Primary
Secondary
Signs and Symptoms
Cola-colored or ice-tea-colored urine
Foamy urine
High blood pressure
Fluid retention (edema)
Fatigue
Less frequent urination than usual
Causes
Frequently unknown
Infections:
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Bacterial endocarditis
Viral infections
Immune Diseases
Lupus
Goodpasture’s syndrome
IgA nephropathy
Vasculitis
Polyarteritis
Wegener’s granulomatosis
Conditions that cause scarring of the glomeruli
HTN
Diabetic kidney disease
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Complications
Acute Kidney Failure
Chronic Kidney Failure
High Blood Pressure
Nephrotic Syndrome
Tests and Diagnosis
Blood tests = creatinine, BUN
Urinalysis
Kidney Biopsy
Imaging tests
IVP (kidney x-ray)
CT Scan(computerized tomography scan)
Treatment and Drugs
Treatment is dependent on:
Whether you have an acute or chronic form of the
disease.
The underlying cause
The type and severity of your signs and symptoms
To control HTN and slow the decline of kidney
function:
Diuretics
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin II receptor agonists
Treatment of Underlying
Causes
R/T bacterial infections = appropriate antibiotic
R/T Lupus or Vasculitis = corticosteroids and immune-
suppressing drugs
R/T IgA nephropathy = fish oil supplements are under
study
Goodpasture’s syndrome = Plasmapheresis
Patient Education
Seek prompt treatment of a strep infection causing a
sore throat or impetigo
To prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis, use
safe sex practices and avoid IV drug use
Control blood sugar to help prevent diabetic
nephropathy
Control your blood pressure