Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment on MedicineNet.com

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Kidney Infection

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Slideshow

Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D.
Medical Editor: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D.

Kidney Infection May Cause Kidney Stones One in every 20 people develop a kidney stone at some point in their life. Kidney stones, sometimes called renal calculi, form within the kidney itself or in other parts of the urinary tract.

People who have kidney stones report the sudden onset of excruciating cramping pain in their side, groin, or abdomen. Changes in body position do not relieve this pain. It may be so severe that it is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Kidney stones also characteristically cause blood in the urine.

Read more about kidney stone symptoms »

Top Searched Kidney Infection Terms:

symptoms, treatment, e coli, kidney stones, kidney failure, kidney cancer

What is the function of the kidneys?

The kidneys have a variety of important functions in the body. These include filtering the waste products from the blood as it circulates through capillaries within the kidneys, regulating blood pressure, maintaining steady levels of electrolytes (for example, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride), and contributing to the production of red blood cells.

Where are the kidneys located?

The kidneys are located on either side of the body underneath the diaphragm near the lower back. Each kidney is connected to the bladder in the pelvis by ureters (long tube-like structures) that drain the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine stored in the bladder is excreted from the body through the urethra.

Picture of the Kidneys and Urinary Structures

What is a kidney infection?

The main components of the urinary tract are kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Any part of the urinary system may become infected and this is generally referred to as urinary tract infection (UTI).

Lower urinary tract infection involves the urethra, the bladder, and, in men, the prostate gland.
Upper urinary tract infection refers to infection of the kidneys.
Infection of the kidneys is also known as pyelonephritis.

Next: What are the causes of kidney infection? »

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