What foods to eat for pyelonephritis

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Pyelonephritis is not nephritis, but a type of bacterial infection. Therefore, as a bacterial infection, there are no specific dietary restrictions for patients. Such patients should ensure adequate intake of fluids, with a recommended daily urine output of over 2000ml. This can help flush the urinary system and wash away some bacteria, reducing bacterial proliferation. Since it involves inflammation, it is advisable to follow a lighter diet, avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods, and focusing on easily digestible and warm foods.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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The difference between pyelonephritis and nephritis

Pyelonephritis and nephritis are two completely different concepts. Pyelonephritis is actually a bacterial inflammation, usually caused by bacteria at the urethral opening ascending into the urinary system and causing inflammation in areas like the renal pelvis and calyces. Patients may experience symptoms such as fever, hematuria, and back pain. In severe cases, it can cause necrosis of the renal papillae, leading to acute renal failure. Some patients may also develop perinephric abscesses, which are caused by bacterial infections. Nephritis, on the other hand, refers to inflammation within the glomeruli. This type of inflammation does not involve bacteria and is related to disorders in the body’s immune function. The disordered immune response is aggressive, attacking the glomerular filtration barrier, leading to proteinuria and hematuria. Therefore, the mechanisms of disease and treatment methods for the two conditions are different.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Is pyelonephritis more serious or nephritis more serious?

Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection caused by a bacterial infection, leading to an inflammatory response in the urinary system. The severity of this condition can vary. Nephritis, on the other hand, refers to the sterile inflammation within the glomeruli of the kidney, which also varies in severity. Therefore, it is challenging to compare these two diseases in terms of their severity. In the case of pyelonephritis, most conditions are relatively more treatable, and using antibiotics can control acute pyelonephritis. However, a small number of patients may develop severe complications such as perinephric abscess, acute renal failure, renal papillary necrosis, and even death from septic shock. The severity of nephritis also varies, with symptoms ranging from significant proteinuria to mild hematuria. Therefore, a comparison should be based on the specific conditions of the patients. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Qi
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What should I do if pyelonephritis recurs?

Pyelonephritis, also known as upper urinary tract infection, is an inflammatory reaction caused by bacterial infection of the urinary system. Therefore, in cases of recurrence of this condition, it is still necessary to use antibiotics for bactericidal treatment, generally requiring a full two-week course, choosing drugs with low nephrotoxicity. Additionally, it is important to investigate whether there are any complicating factors for pyelonephritis, such as the presence of diabetes, urinary system stones, tumors, or urinary tract anomalies. Identifying and addressing these complicating factors can reduce the likelihood of recurrence of pyelonephritis.

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Written by Pan Wu Shan
Nephrology
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Does pyelonephritis cause a fever?

Pyelonephritis is actually a part of urinary tract infections, which are divided into cystitis and acute pyelonephritis. The main symptoms of cystitis are frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination, among other urinary irritative symptoms, and these do not involve fever. However, if cystitis is not treated in time, it can worsen into acute pyelonephritis, which then presents with symptoms such as fever and back pain. The fever with acute pyelonephritis can be quite high, often exceeding 38 or 39 degrees Celsius, and might last for two to three days. At this point, treatment requires anti-infective medications, which should be continued for two weeks without any interruption. If the treatment duration is insufficient, pyelonephritis may recur. It is important to drink plenty of water, urinate frequently, and avoid holding in urine. Drinking lots of water can help flush out bacteria from the urine early on, promoting a quicker recovery from the illness.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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How to check for pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis, also known as upper urinary tract infection, is mostly caused by bacterial infection and the inflammatory response of the urinary system. The screening for this disease involves routine urine tests. Presence of white blood cells in the urine, coupled with symptoms like fever and back pain, can lead to a preliminary diagnosis. However, to confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific infecting pathogen, a culture of midstream urine is needed. Generally, to exclude certain causes of pyelonephritis, it is also necessary for the patient to have blood sugar levels checked and an ultrasound of the urinary system conducted. These tests can confirm whether the patient has diabetes, urinary system stones, or obstructions in the urinary system. Male patients can also undergo a prostate ultrasound to rule out urinary obstruction caused by prostate enlargement. These examinations can also help determine why the patient might have developed pyelonephritis.