Are you currently pregnant or planning to be, but also experiencing a soreness in your side that just won't go away? Is it possible you're dealing with a kidney infection? No need to panic—at least not until after the article.
Kidney infections can occur more frequently during pregnancy, as hormonal changes affect urinary patterns and make women more susceptible. But fear not! Below we'll explore exactly what this means for you and how you can take control of the situation.
What is a Kidney Infection?
A kidney infection (or pyelonephritis) is an upper urinary tract infection which happens when bacteria enter one or both of your kidneys from your bladder via your ureters—the tubes which transport urine from kidneys to bladder—and multiply there.
While anyone can get infected, women are more susceptible because their urethras are shorter than men's which makes them easier targets for bacteria invasion.
If left unchecked, the infection could use up vital functions within affected kidneys over time leading to severe complications such as sepsis—when toxins released by pathogens inflame body-mind connections resulting in shock-like symptoms such as fever and fainting. That sounds scary but keep calm; steps taken expediently should ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment, freeing us from constant nausea caused by overthinking just about everything related to our health issues.
Symptoms of Pyelonephritis
Long-story-short: To help prevent any other unusual activities besides late-night bathroom visits per night cramps around lower abdominal area discomfort right at opening tip if these signals propagate through daily life routine - consulting a doctor sooner rather than later might be essential especially if symptoms persist beyond 2-3 days: - High temperature/slight fever - Chills/shivering - Nausea/vomiting - Fatigue/loss of energy - Pain on one or both sides of the lower back/radiating downward to the legs - Difficulty / Burning Sensation in Urinating (this may indicate that there is a urinary tract infection, which can then lead to pyelonephritis)
If experiencing any combination of these symptoms—no need for alarm! However, consult your doctor and initiate some measures mentioned below.
How Pyelonephritis Can Impact Pregnancy
In pregnancy - particularly after 12 weeks when kidneys expand due to fetal growth - women become more susceptible to kidney infections. Why? Pesticides (insect repellent) could be at play here!
Here are some ways they might intersect: - Increasing exposure: A prolonged history of bladder infections or rapid spread from vaginal infections due mainly from intercourse - Social activity: Being sexually active with a new partner throughout pregnancy increases bactericidal colonization probabilities. - Natural processes: Estrogen slows peristalsis speeds leading bacteria up pelvic urine routes - resulting in daily bacterial transit upward
The consequences if overlooked include maternal anemia leading sometimes into sepsis plus pre-term labour risks because bacteria could invade amniotic fluid around growing baby leading frequently into premature separation between placenta & uterus thereby potentially limiting essential nutrients transferring it safely. So what must you do?
Let's see... now we address this.
Diagnosing Kidney Infection and Its Impacts during Pregnancy
Just like any other medical condition, the earlier diagnosis starts, the better prognosis nature has installed for human beings through their immune systems. But how would doctors diagnose such an issue without adding unnecessary risk factors during childbirth?
Fortunately: It's not rocket science by a long shot:
Your healthcare provider would ask about your current symptoms as well as review your medical history just like any everyday thing. If he/she suspects pyelonephritis going untreated for too long at least 48 hours; They'll encourage more tests- urine test, culture (which involves taking bacterial cultures and identifying them) and blood work (provides clues on inflammation within the body.)
If any of those tests result in conclusive diagnoses - your doctor may also recommend additional scans if they're required to visualize kidney or urinary pathway dimensions.
Early diagnosis saves lives.
Treatment for Kidney Infection During Pregnancy
Your healthcare provider will consider several factors like the extent of the disease , stage of pregnancy when considering treatment options. Pregnant women are generally counselled against taking antibiotics during certain periods but pyelonephritis would post an exception because treating infections expediently greatly contributes towards transferring nutrients: hence oxygenation facilities from mom-to-be towards off-spring as it's transmitted throughout placenta thereby mechanically restricting metabolic waste produced by fetus onto moms liver: Being cautious is good but desirable outcomes define greater humane experience!
Depending on severity levels at hand remedies can either be started with oral medication dosage adjusted according to patient size + period overtime or--if deemed severe enough--in-hospital treatments begin via administering intravenous fluids usually additionally accompanied by long-term antibiotic use for up to a week-long duration.
Whatever option adopted -- new drug dosages administered must account for underlying medical conditions affecting expectant mothers such as elevated blood pressure strewn across multiple trimesters even though it didn't show through lab findings; sometimes going unrecognized until closer examination since over-diagnosis could prove fatal sometimes:-
Every Dosage counts, stay safe!
Preventing Pyelonephritis
"So I don't get infected alongside little bundle of joy?" Prevention remains key here! Here's how... - Adequate hydration-regulate liquid intake frequencies allowing more than 8 glasses per day whenever possible. - Regular Hand washing-this should go without saying-however one never knows! - Tips for women with prone UTI history; -increased dietary supplement regimen fortify immune system against future occurrences -get a cranberry supplement (if no allergies to berries) -better hygiene timely is always advisable
Accordingly over 90% of pregnant-women suffering through unusually "tangled" past can ordinarily avoid repeat episodes; resulting in improved quality-of-life alongside little nuggets delivery processes ahead!
Final Words
Pyelonephritis is cause for concern when expecting, but thankfully there are steps we can take to ensure it doesn't interfere with the beautiful experience that pregnancy represents.
If you think you might be dealing with kidney infection, don't hesitate in contacting your healthcare provider immediately. An ounce of diagnosis: prevention could never hurt anybody so its once-in-a-lifetime experiences from conception towards maternal bonds reflecting eternity passing onto generations!