How to Test For Kidney Infection | Best 4 Methods
Topic: How to Test For Kidney Infection
3 Tests to Determine if You Have a Kidney Infection
A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is the inflammation of the kidneys that usually results from bacteria in the urinary tract entering the kidneys and ureters, or bladder. If you suspect you have a kidney infection, then use these three tests to figure out whether you have one or not.
A correct diagnosis can help you find the best treatment method and avoid further complications that may arise if you do not get treated in time.
1) Check Your Temperature
If you suspect you have an infection, check your temperature. A fever over 101 ̊F is one of many symptoms of kidney infection, so when you’re at home, take your temperature with a thermometer. If it’s higher than normal, it may be time to call your doctor.
A number of studies confirm that a high fever can indicate a kidney infection. And while doctors can administer blood tests and other diagnostic tools in their offices to determine whether or not kidney stones are present, there are several tests you can do at home that give results that are just as accurate in determining what’s going on inside your body—and possibly save yourself from an expensive office visit.
Here are three cheap and easy ways to tell if there might be something wrong with your kidneys
2) Take Your Blood Pressure
Checking your blood pressure is an easy way to find out whether you may have an infection. While not foolproof, higher-than-normal readings can signal that you should take action. When your kidneys get damaged, they release chemicals into your bloodstream.
These cause blood vessels in other parts of your body—including ones in your arms and legs—to tighten up and raise blood pressure, making it harder for circulation (and bacteria) to flow through them properly. This might result in symptoms like headache or muscle pain that typically don’t occur with kidney problems (like a kidney stone).
3) Perform an Ultrasound
An ultrasound scan can help determine whether you have a kidney stone. During an ultrasound, sound waves are used to produce images of your internal organs on a screen.
When trying to diagnose kidney stones, doctors usually look for signs of obstruction (such as hydronephrosis), which is when urine is unable to drain out of your kidneys and back into your bladder through your ureters.
If both kidneys become obstructed, you will no longer be able to eliminate waste from your body and fluid builds up in your abdomen, making it appear larger than normal. In severe cases, you may develop infections or blood clots in one or both kidneys.
How to Test for Kidney Infection
A dipstick test is one of three tests used to determine whether or not you have an infection in your kidneys. Here’s how it works: A chemical solution is placed on a small strip, and then that strip is inserted into your urine stream.
After about five seconds, you look at the results (usually on a separate piece of paper) to see what color bands are present—this gives you an indication of how much protein is in your urine, and therefore how bad (or good) things are with your kidneys.
If you’re worried about kidney infection, consider scheduling a visit with your primary care physician for more information about these three simple tests.
Passing a Kidney Stone Female
Passing a kidney stone is no fun for anyone, male or female. However, it seems that one gender may be at more risk than another. Stones passed by women are often larger and harder than those passed by men.
This could lead to more complications and potential damage during your stone journey, so it’s crucial that you recognize your symptoms as soon as possible.
Make sure you read through these 3 tests so you can determine whether or not you have an infection in time! If you do have an infection, see your doctor immediately. If left untreated, infections can become life-threatening very quickly.
Medicine to Break UP Kidney Stones
If you have been diagnosed with kidney stones, you know how painful they can be. To avoid them in the future, take steps to prevent stones from forming. Start by getting your calcium levels in check: Studies show that people who get plenty of calcium reduce their risk of developing stones.
Get in 1,000 milligrams daily; aim for 800 milligrams from food and 200 from supplements. Make sure your diet is rich in fruit and dairy (milk, yogurt), which help prevent both kidney stones and urinary tract infections that can trigger kidney stone formation.
Vegetables with oxalates—such as spinach and rhubarb—should be limited as well (they may worsen existing stone issues). And watch out for salt, which causes your body to excrete more calcium through urine.
4 Methods for Kidney Stone Removal
Most kidney stones pass on their own within 24 hours of causing discomfort. But in case you’re wondering, there are four methods for removing kidney stones that your doctor may use:
shock wave lithotripsy (this is used for small stones), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (also called open surgery; used for larger stones or those that can’t be passed naturally), and two methods done using an endoscope: ureteroscopy and transurethral lithotripsy.
It doesn’t matter which method your doctor chooses; they all work more than 90 percent of the time. And remember, not everyone needs surgery. Most of these procedures are performed with local anesthesia, so there is minimal discomfort afterward.
Kidney Infection Treatment Without Antibiotics
A kidney infection is dangerous and can be deadly. However, there are many different signs that indicate you may have one. Before taking prescription antibiotics, it’s important that you know whether or not they’re necessary.
And while it can take some time to get lab results back, there are at least three tests you can perform right now that could give you definitive answers quickly. Here are 3 simple urine tests you can do at home to determine if you have a kidney infection.
A positive result for white blood cells: When white blood cells enter your urine, it’s an indication of inflammation in your body.
In other words, your immune system has noticed something abnormal in your body and has responded by sending white blood cells into affected areas of your body as part of its natural defense mechanism.
What Does a Kidney Infection Feel Like
Some of these are pretty self-explanatory: pain, nausea, fever, and malaise are all classic signs that you may have a kidney infection. But sometimes there isn’t any pain at all. That’s why it’s so important to get tested in person by your doctor as soon as possible when these symptoms arise.
They’ll need to run blood tests (like an ESR or CRP) to check for inflammation in your body and urine tests that can detect bacteria in your kidneys or urinary tract.
Those test results will help determine what kind of infection you have—there are lots of different types—and what sort of treatment you need.
A kidney infection is a serious business; they’re often caused by some other underlying condition like diabetes or gout, and untreated infections can lead to sepsis. So don’t wait around; go see your doctor ASAP if you think you might have one!
There are three main kinds of tests used to diagnose a kidney infection: urinalysis, ultrasound imaging, and cystoscopy.
These aren’t usually performed on their own but in combination with each other; it’s rare that just one test will be enough on its own to figure out whether or not someone has a UTI.
What Causes Kidney Stone Pain
The pain of kidney stones is not caused by any nerve endings in your kidneys. Instead, it’s caused by your large intestine.
When you have kidney stones, or renal calculi as they’re formally known, they can pass through your ureter and lodge in your bladder or urethra. The stretching that happens when you go to pee causes significant pain for some people, according to Healthline.
It can feel like someone is sticking you with a needle every time you urinate; other times, it feels like you’re passing shards of glass in your urine stream.
How to Pass Kidney Stones Fast at Home
kidney stones are hard, solid deposits of minerals and other substances found in urine. They form inside your kidneys, then pass through your urinary tract. Most people don’t think much about their kidneys until they get sick or start having problems with them.
If you have kidney stones, you may feel pain in your side or lower back or notice blood in your urine. This is normal during kidney stone symptoms, but let’s look at how to pass kidney stones fast by home remedies and other treatment options.
The most common cause of kidney stones is dehydration. The more dehydrated you become, the more concentrated your urine becomes.
As it becomes more concentrated, it can become saturated with minerals that normally dissolve into a solution in water. When these substances no longer dissolve easily, they can clump together and form crystals that turn into kidney stones.
Kidney Stone Pain Location
Most people think that kidney stones occur in or around your kidneys, but that’s not really true. Although these rock-like formations can cause pain in your back and side, they usually develop in your bladder or ureter. So when you feel sudden pain from kidney stones, know that it’s not originating from where you probably think it is.
For most people, symptoms appear suddenly and dramatically—and often mimic other issues such as stomach pain and appendicitis. To determine whether your discomfort is caused by a kidney stone or something else entirely, try asking yourself these three questions:
Where does it hurt?
When did it start?
How long has it lasted?
If you have a kidney infection, for example, you might experience fever and chills. If it’s an impacted bowel movement causing trouble, expect diarrhea and cramping. And if your pain originates from a kidney stone (or another medical condition), it will likely be constant rather than intermittent.
The more accurately you can pinpoint what’s wrong with you—and how severe your condition is—the faster doctors will be able to treat you effectively and efficiently.
Kidney Stone Symptoms in Women
Most women who experience kidney stones also report some symptoms. In some cases, though, people might not experience any symptoms at all—making it very important to be proactive in case you’re at risk. The most common symptom is blood in urine, which could show up as pink or red spots or streaks in your pee.
Other common symptoms include nausea and vomiting, severe pain and/or abdominal cramping (especially during urination), dizziness and weakness, frequent urge to urinate (or a sudden need for immediate relief), fever and chills, general malaise or fatigue (possibly with flu-like aches),
bloating after eating even small amounts of food or fluids. If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.
Stages of Passing a Kidney Stone
If you’re experiencing pain, it is important to understand its source. The most common culprits include kidney stones or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Oftentimes, your doctor will be able to determine what is causing your discomfort by taking a medical history and performing some simple tests.
First, they will take a urine sample and test it for bacteria. If a bacterial infection is found, you’ll receive antibiotics right away. If an infection isn’t present, your doctor will likely recommend that you come back for another test or two so that they can rule out other causes of pain.
A second test that may be ordered is an ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to generate images of your kidneys and bladder.
A third option is a cystoscopy, which involves inserting a scope into your urethra in order to view inside your bladder. Your doctor will use these tests in combination with one another to determine whether or not you have a UTI or kidney stone.