Which doctor treats pyelonephritis: symptoms diagnosis and treatment

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Pyelonephritis is an infectious inflammatory process in the renal pelvis caused by bacteria. The most common cause of inflammation is the E. coli. The disease occurs in acute or chronic form. Therefore, in no way can you delay the trip to the doctor, if you do not know which doctor treats pyelonephritis, then we will tell you.

Pyelonephritis species

Doctors distinguish:

1. Acute pyelonephritis. The disease lasts up to 2 - 3 weeks and ends with complete recovery or transition to a chronic form.
2. Chronic pyelonephritis is diagnosed if no improvement occurs in 2 or 3 months in the patient's condition. The disease can fade or manifest, this condition is dangerously asymptomatic and can lead to chronic kidney failure.
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Who is at risk

According to the incidence of diseases, inflammation of the renal pelvis is second only to an infection of the respiratory tract. Especially often there is pyelonephritis in women of middle age group( 25-40 years) and girls, about an order of magnitude more than in men and boys. This is caused by anatomical features of the structure of the female body.

In women, pyelonephritis often occurs as a result of inflammation of the bladder. For men, the cause of the disease can serve as adenoma, urolithiasis, prostatitis, urethritis. They give complications to the kidneys.

In old age, men are at risk, and women become less likely to get sick.

In addition, possible causes of the disease may be:

• reduced immunity, metabolic disorders;
• atherosclerosis( renal artery disease);
• hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus;
• tuberculosis;
• hypovitaminosis;
• diseases of the nervous system( brain tumors, circulatory disorders in the brain, osteochondrosis, trauma);
• chronic inflammatory processes( tonsillitis, pneumonia, cholecystitis, etc.).

Important! Pregnant women are at risk. It is necessary to observe the state of health and clearly fulfill the appointment of a doctor - a gynecologist.

Which doctor treats chronic pyelonephritis

The average person does not always understand which doctor is treating his disease. Therefore, it would be logical to apply to the local therapist and then follow his recommendations for choosing a specialist. If you do not know which doctor treats pyelonephritis in children, then you can also contact the child's therapist, if necessary, he will refer you to a narrow specialist.

Sufficient reason for going to the doctor will be the following symptoms:

• high temperature( up to 39 ° C - 40 ° C);
• severe pain in the lumbar region( one- or two-sided);
• frequent urination( may be accompanied by pain);
• unaccustomed smell and color of urine;
• swelling of the limbs and face.

Often these symptoms are preceded by hypothermia or an infectious disease.

Only two specialists are involved in kidney problems - nephrologist and urologist .Before deciding which doctor to go to, we will understand what these specialists do.

The nephrologist is engaged in outpatient treatment of kidney diseases. He diagnoses, prescribes a diet, prescribes treatment and conducts disease prevention.

Diseases of the genitourinary system( not only the kidneys) are under the care of a urologist. He diagnoses and prescribes treatment, conducts surgical intervention if necessary. In addition to these symptoms, the reason will turn to the urologist will be:

• problems of the genitourinary system;
• tumors of the urinary system or genitals;
• the recommendation of the gynecologist at detection of an infection.

Important! Do not do self-diagnosis and self-medication. Pyelonephritis is cunning, it can hardly appear externally. The time lost when you contact a doctor can be decisive for your health.

The correct diagnosis is the first step in the treatment of

. Pyelonephritis is common enough, however, it is not easy to diagnose a correct diagnosis. This is because the signs of the disease are not always pronounced, and the overall clinical picture can be blurred. An incorrect or untimely diagnosis increases the course of the disease.

Confirm or deny the diagnosis by using:

• a general blood test;
• general urine test.

To determine the bacterium that caused inflammation, bacteriological culture of urine is carried out. This analysis also makes it possible to test the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics. This study is especially important for patients with chronic pyelonephritis, since the disease can be caused by microbes resistant to the main antibiotics.

Ultrasound is used to confirm the diagnosis and choose the right treatment regimen. Ultrasound gives an accurate picture of the kidneys and allows you to identify comorbidities( for example, urolithiasis).

Sometimes an X-ray examination with contrast material can be used to clarify the diagnosis. Computer tomography is used when a tumor is suspected.

Important! All tests and studies are prescribed only by a doctor, based on the general condition of the patient.

Treatment of pyelonephritis

In no case can you take medication yourself, only a qualified specialist prescribes the necessary medications. Antibiotics and immunostimulating drugs are used for treatment. Operative intervention is used in case of pyesis in acute pyelonephritis.

Important! Running purulent pyelonephritis can lead to blood poisoning and death. At the slightest suspicion, you should immediately contact the urologist.

Diet for pyelonephritis

A diet with a restriction of salt and protein is mandatory. Banned:

• spicy, fatty, salty foods( fatty pork, meat broths, spicy seasonings, pickles);
• coffee, alcohol in any form;
• preservatives.

It is recommended to eat watermelons, zucchini, pumpkin, fruits, vegetables, juices, compotes. Allowed protein products:

• milk;
• kefir, fermented baked milk, low-fat yogurt;
• egg white;
• after relieving the exacerbation, you can add lean meat( chicken, veal, lean fish).

To wash out the pathogens of infection from the kidneys, it is necessary to drink plenty of liquid, up to 2 liters per day( in the absence of edema).Drink in small portions, a large volume of fluid can overload the kidneys.

As the condition improves, a little fresh onions, garlic, spices are introduced into the diet. At this stage it is important to maintain the drinking regime, but coffee and alcohol are unacceptable.

Home remedies

To ease the patient's condition and support medication can be folk remedies.

Important! Before starting the application of herbal remedies, always consult with your doctor - some folk remedies may conflict with medications.

At home, you can prepare a diuretic and anti-inflammatory infusion of cranberries and / or cranberries. The berries are kneaded to make the juice stand out well, pour boiled( not boiling) water, add honey or sugar to taste and drink between meals.

Cranberry juice is also suitable for relieving inflammation. He is drunk a glass up to four times a day.

You can choose a suitable diuretic and firming herbal tea. Once every two weeks, the composition of plants must be changed. It is recommended to use licorice root, willow bark, blueberry leaves, spores, nettle, birch buds and leaves, St. John's Wort, etc.

It is especially important to maintain a diet for chronic pyelonephritis and apply folk remedies during the autumn-winter period. Not only pyelonephritis, but many other diseases begin with weakening of the body. Take care of yourself and be well!