Pyelonephritis is a common disease of the urinary system, which occurs more frequently in women than in men. It is associated with infectious and inflammatory processes occurring in the calyx-pelvic renal system. Chronic form of the disease is characterized by a prolonged course with periods of exacerbation and remission, and it develops often due to inferior treatment of acute process. Pyelonephritis leads to a change in kidney tissues, impaired renal function and can cause quite serious complications.
Symptoms of chronic pyelonephritis in women
Pyelonephritis in chronic form can constantly cause anxiety in the form of mild pains in the lumbar region, which are dull or aching, intensifying in damp, cold weather. Also, women can complain of frequent urination, urinary incontinence, mild urination and high blood pressure . The intensity of these manifestations depends on whether a unilateral process or affecting both kidneys, whether there are other disorders of the genitourinary system. Some women have no signs of chronic pyelonephritis during remission, appearing only when the process worsens.
Exacerbation of the disease occurs most often due to a decrease in the body's immune defenses, hypothermia, the use of alcoholic beverages or spicy foods, etc. In this case, the manifestations resemble the symptoms of an acute process and include:
- increased body temperature (usually up to 38 ° C);
- traumatic pains in the lumbar region (less often the pain occurs in the abdomen), which gain intensity during physical exertion or prolonged standing;
- general weakness, fatigue;
- headache;
- muscle pain;
- nausea;
- swelling of the face, limbs;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- pain when urinating ;
- urine turbidity;
- the appearance of blood in the urine.
Ultrasound signs of chronic pyelonephritis
To detect a focus of inflammation of the kidneys, to determine the disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract appoint ultrasound. In this case, signs of a disease characterized by a chronic course are:
- reduced kidney size;
- tuberosity of the outline of the organ;
- deformity or expansion of the cup-and-pelvis system;
- thinning of the main kidney tissue, its increased echogenicity.