How To Diagnose Kidney Infection Vs Uti

Causes Of Utis And Bladder Infections In Men

Women are more likely to get urinary tract infections and bladder infections than men because they have a shorter urethra located closer to their rectum.

For them, sexual activity or even wearing a pair of underwear for too long can cause bacteria like E. coli to come in contact with the urinary tract.

Men can get UTIs too, but in their case, its usually due to genetics, prostate changes with age, or an abnormal immune response. STDs such as chlamydia are another frequent cause of UTIs in men.

Shortness Of Breath After Very Little Effort

Why this happens:

Being short of breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.

What patients said:

At the times when I get the shortness of breath, its alarming to me. It just fears me. I think maybe I might fall or something so I usually go sit down for awhile.

I couldnt sleep at night. I couldnt catch my breath, like I was drowning or something. And, the bloating, cant breathe, cant walk anywhere. It was bad.

You May Like: Do Females Have Kidney Stones

Kidney Pain And Alcohol Abuse

Although the kidneys do not directly filter alcohol, problems associated with the kidneys may be related to the alcohol abuse. Alcohol can affect certain renal hormones such as anti-diuretic hormone and result in dehydration.

Alcohol may also raises the risk of atherosclerosis and cause clot formation in the kidneys.

Recommended Reading: Amoxicillin And Clavulanate Potassium Tooth Infection

Symptoms Of Kidney Infection

Symptoms of pyelonephritis often begin suddenly with chills, fever, pain in the lower part of the back on either side, nausea, and vomiting.

, including frequent, painful urination. One or both kidneys may be enlarged and painful, and doctors may find tenderness in the small of the back on the affected side. Sometimes the muscles of the abdomen are tightly contracted. Irritation from the infection or the passing of a kidney stone can cause spasms of the ureters. If the ureters go into spasms, people may experience episodes of intense pain . In children, symptoms of a kidney infection Urinary Tract Infection in Children A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urinary bladder , the kidneys , or both. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. Infants and younger… read more often are slight and more difficult to recognize. In older people, pyelonephritis may not cause any symptoms that seem to indicate a problem in the urinary tract. Instead, older people may have a decrease in mental function , fever, or an infection of the bloodstream .

In chronic pyelonephritis, the pain may be vague, and fever may come and go or not occur at all.

What Is A Kidney Infection Is It The Same As A Urinary Tract Infection

The main components of the urinary tract system are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Any part of the urinary system may become infected and this is generally referred to as a urinary tract infection . When a kidney becomes infected, the condition is medically referred to as pyelonephritis. Thus, kidney infection is only one of several types of infections encompassed by the term UTI. The spectrum of UTIs includes:

Read Also: Which Type Of Cell Does Hiv Infect

Can Kidney Stones Cause Uti Symptoms

Yes, in a few cases, a person with a kidney stone may experience symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection. However, struvite stones usually develop as a result of urinary tract infections.

As mentioned above, if a kidney stone gets stuck, it can cause an infection due to urinary obstruction. In addition, such a dysfunction increases the risk of a UTI or kidney infection, as bacteria grow in the stagnant urine.

This is one of the complications that can develop with kidney stones. The symptoms include frequent urination or urge to urinate and pain or discomfort during urination.

What Are Other Causes Of Kidney Infection

Although a kidney infection can result from a bladder infection, a kidney infection doesnât always begin with a bladder infection. Anything that changes the bacterial environment in your urinary tract system can increase the risk of infection, including any inflammation of the area, menopause, or the intake of medications altering the hormones in your body.

People with a weakened immune system are also at increased risk of developing infections. This includes people with malfunctioning bladder, urethra, or ureters, and anyone with a condition that suppresses the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or chemotherapy.

Although rare, they can develop a kidney infection through their bloodstream due to their immune systemâs state. Bacterial or fungal infections on the skin can spread into the blood and end up in the kidney during the blood filtering stage.

Read Also: Can Tooth Pain Cause Sinus Infection

Treatment For Utis Vs Kidney Infection Treatment

UTIs, including kidney infections, can be treated with a course of antibiotics. The type of antibiotic can depend on the type of bacteria thats causing your infection as well as how severe your infection is.

The doctor will often start you on an antibiotic that works against a wide variety of UTI-causing bacteria. If a urine culture is performed, the doctor may switch your antibiotic to one thats most effective at treating the specific bacterium thats causing your infection.

Simple UTIs can be treated with short 3- to 5-day courses of antibiotics. Treatment for kidney infections generally lasts 7 to 14 days, depending on which class of antibiotic is prescribed.

You may begin to feel better after only a few days on antibiotics. However, you should still make sure that you complete your entire treatment course as prescribed. If you do not take all of your antibiotics, the stronger bacteria may not be killed, causing your infection to persist and flare up again.

If youre pregnant, your doctor may also request a repeat urine sample following a kidney infection, even if your symptoms have resolved. This allows them to check to see whether your infection has completely cleared.

If there are still bacteria present in the sample, you may need another course of antibiotics. Persistence of bacteria can potentially harm an unborn baby.

People with severe kidney infections may need to be hospitalized. In this case, you may receive antibiotics and fluids intravenously.

When To See A Healthcare Provider For Cystitis Or Uti

Young children and men should see a healthcare provider when experiencing symptoms of a UTI or cystitis to rule out other conditions because both conditions can be more serious among these groups.

For women experiencing symptoms of a UTI lasting longer than three days, see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. Because severe cases may lead to more serious infections of the bladder or kidney that need to be treated in a hospital setting, its important to seek treatment as early as possible. Any of the following symptoms warrant a medical providers advice:

• Painful, burning/ stinging urination
• An urgent need to pee frequently but in small amounts
• Bloody, dark, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine
• Pain in the bladder or surrounding areas

Discuss your symptoms in detail with your healthcare provider, seeking their advice regarding diagnostic testing to rule out other diseases.

You May Like: Ear Drops For Middle Ear Infection

How Do You Tell The Difference Between A Uti And A Bladder Infection

Many urinary tract infections will have the same symptoms as bladder infections. They include:

• A burning sensation while peeing
• Feeling an urge to go, but when you try to pee, very little or nothing comes out

More often than not, UTIs are usually diagnosed as bladder infections. This is because they are the most common part of the urinary tract that gets infected.

However, some other symptoms may indicate that you have a kidney infection. These may include:

• Lower back pain
• Pinkish or reddish colored urine

How To Reduce Your Risk

You can help prevent UTIs or kidney stones by following some simple steps:

• Empty the bladder when you feel the urge and ensure that you frequently urinate, thus, flushing bacteria out.
• Improving hygiene: Women should wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, avoid feminine hygiene sprays, and clean the genitals before and after intercourse.
• Drink plenty of water to help dilute urine.
• Urinate after intercourse to flush out any germs that would have entered the urinary tract.
• Lifestyle modifications such as improving diet and losing weight can help keep a healthy urinary tract. In addition, foods such as apples, basil, celery, grapes, and pomegranates reduce the risk and impact of kidney stones.
• Being obese can put stress on the kidneys. Therefore, managing weight and diet are critical to a healthy urinary tract.

Recommended Reading: Antibiotics To Treat Tooth Infection

Treatment Of Kidney Infection

Most kidney infections need prompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream.

You may also need painkillers.

If youâre especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection , you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through a drip.

Most people who are diagnosed and treated promptly with antibiotics feel completely better after about 2 weeks.

People who are older or have underlying conditions may take longer to recover.

What Are The Risk Factors For Getting Bladder Infections And Other Uti Infections

A person is more likely to get a bladder infection if they dont urinate frequently enough. If they hold their urine in, the bacteria can collect in the bladder and lead to infection. Try to go to the bathroom at least every two to three hours to keep this from happening.

Not drinking enough water is another risk factor for bladder infections because your body doesnt move as much urine through the bladder as quickly.

Risk factors for urethritis include having a sexually transmitted infection or from trauma to the urethra, such as due to the insertion of a urinary catheter.

In addition to these specific risk factors for bladder infections, there are general risk factors for all UTI types. These include:

risk factors for uti

• having diabetes, as a person experiences changes to their immune system that make them more prone to UTIs
• having an enlarged prostate
• having low levels of estrogen, such as when a woman is post-menopausal
• having a history of kidney stones, which can block the flow of urine through the urinary tract

Women are also more likely than men to get UTIs because their urethra is shorter. The bacteria have less distance to go to reach the bladder and can cause infections.

Don’t Miss: At Home Yeast Infection Test

About Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are common infections that can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes connected to them.

Anyone can get them, but they’re particularly common in women. Some women experience them regularly .

UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable, but usually pass within a few days and can be easily treated with antibiotics.

This page is about UTIs in adults. There is a separate article about UTIs in children.

This page covers:

How Are Kidney Infections Treated

A physician will treat the disease based on his or her examination. He or she may start the patient on the standard treatment of a course of antibiotics before the lab tests results are available. The medication may change once the exact strain of bacteria is revealed by the lab tests.

If the treatment is effective, the patient should feel better in two to three days. If not, your healthcare provider will start looking for additional problems. Most antibiotic treatments last for 14 days and it is essential that patients take the pills as recommended for the full 14 days even though symptoms may disappear after a few days. The disappearance of symptoms does not mean all bacteria are killed. Some may remain and the infection may reappear.

There is also a concern that those bacteria that remain may develop resistance to the medication. For some reason the disease is more difficult to treat in men and they may have to take medication for up to six weeks. Patients with severe illness, those that have significant nausea and vomiting, high fevers, significant pain and signs of dehydration may be hospitalized for a few days while the antibiotics are administered intravenously. Urine samples are taken after about six weeks of treatment and examined to insure the bacterial infection is eradicated.

Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take For Ear Infection To Heal

What Are The Common Causes Of Urinary Tract Infection

Treatment for kidney infections can vary depending on the cause and severity of an infection. Infections in the urinary tract most commonly occur when bacteria travel through the urethra to the bladder to use urine as food for growth and multiplication. Excess levels of bacteria can lead to infections that, when they migrate to the kidneys, are known as kidney infections.

The most common cause of an infection in the urinary tract is from the bacteria Escherichia coli, also commonly referred to as E.coli. They are found in our colon and feces.

Certain sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, and mycoplasma, can also lead to an infection that spreads to the kidneys. Holding your urine for six hours or more can give time for bacteria that enter the bladder to overgrow without being flushed out, increasing the risk of infection.

Dehydration can also increase the risk of infection. Without the proper fluids, your body can not properly flush out bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections . Constipation, a possible result of dehydration, can make it difficult to empty your bladder and allow trapped bacteria to grow as well.

Infections can also be caused by any condition in the urinary tract that prevents urine from flowing naturally. For instance, pregnant women are likely to get bladder infections when the baby puts pressure on the ureters, slowing urine flow.

What About Kidney Stones Are They Involved Here Somehow

Sort of. A kidney stone isnt an infection, but a collection of salt and minerals that hardens and turns into a stone. While some stones may be small others can be much larger. They may stay in the kidney, or begin to move into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. When this happens, kidney stones can become extremely painful.

Kidney stones can be tricky, since they may have many of the same symptoms as a UTI or a kidney infection pain when urinating, needing to urinate often, and cloudy or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, fever, nausea or vomiting. And while stones often pass on their own, larger stones sometimes need to be broken up, or removed.

Sometimes, kidney stones can lead to a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection, so its important to get them checked out by your doctor. And, since the symptoms are so similar, getting a checkup is probably a good idea anyway just to rule out the possibility of an infection, and to make sure the stone is moving along as it should.

Don’t Miss: Does Zpack Help With Sinus Infection

Kidney Stones Vs Utis: Us Prevalence And Economic Impact

Prevalence of kidney stones is roughly one in 11 Americans. This prevalence may be on the incline as a result of poor lifestyle choices, including eating habits. Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women, and the rates are higher among obese and overweight persons than normal weight individuals.

Annually, an estimated 150 million UTIs are diagnosed, amounting to six billion dollars in healthcare costs. In the U.S., there are 8.1 million UTI cases, with women being more prone to the infections than men.

How Are Kidney Infections And Urine Infections Defined Based On Anatomy

As you can see in the picture, your urinary system contains two kidneys, two tubes coming down from both kidneys into your urinary bladder, and one tube going out from your urinary bladder. Urine is made in the kidneys, and it comes down to the urinary bladder for storage through the two tubes called the ureters. When you urinate, urine leaves your bladder through the tube called the urethra.

Any infection that is limited to the urinary bladder and the urethra is simply a urine infection. It is also known by several other names. Here are some of them:

When you review this table carefully, you can see the general pattern. Symptoms of kidney infections are usually more severe and more serious than symptoms of urine infections. High fevers and chills along with severe body aches and sharp back or flank pain are very specific symptoms of a kidney infection rather than just a simple urine infection.

There are times when it may be difficult to distinguish between a simple urinary tract infection and a kidney infection. It is mostly true in people who are already suffering from other medical illness, people who have problems with their immune system, people who have issues with mobility, or people who have underlying dementia living in a nursing home. In these people, a simple urine infection may cause more severe symptoms, and that makes it difficult to distinguish between the two based on symptoms alone.

Also Check: Will Acyclovir Help A Tooth Infection

Ok So How Do I Make Sure I Never Get A Uti Or A Kidney Infection

As they say, prevention is the best cure! And there are many things you can do to ensure that youre reducing your risk for an infection, and preventing build up from occurring in the kidneys.

• Practice good hygiene. Always wipe from front to back, keep your genital area clean, wash before and after sex. Basically, do your best to keep bacteria from even having a chance of getting into the urinary system in the first place.

• Drink lots of water. If youre dehydrated, youre not only increasing your chance of a UTI, but youre also decreasing your urine output, meaning that more minerals have a chance to build up and settle in the urinary tract or kidneys.

• Make sure to urinate whenever you feel you have to go. Dont hold it in. This concentrates the urine allowing bacteria to build up and spread.

• Alter your diet if you find youre prone to kidney stones. Cut down on certain meats and shellfish and opting instead for more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid consuming too much sugar. Cut back on sodium, and eat more oxalate-rich foods .

And if you do start experiencing any of the symptoms above, be sure to see a doctor right away. UTIs, kidney infections, and kidney stones can usually be treated fairly easily, but its important to seek medical attention before any complications develop.