The main task of the kidneys is to remove waste products from your blood and remove additional fluids in the form of urine and send that waste down the urinary tract to be expelled from the body. This tract, however, is susceptible to bacteria invasion. If any of the major parts of the urinary tract becomes infected, such as the bladder, ureters, or urethra, you usually get a urinary tract infection or UTI. While this might not be too serious, bacteria will travel.
Vile bacteria can sometimes enter the kidneys through the bladder and cause pain and discomfort on top of a UTI. When this happens, you unfortunately acquire a medical condition known as pyelonephritis, or a kidney infection. An infection of the kidneys can be serious if left untreated, but if you catch it early by understanding the symptoms, you can have a complete turnaround and be back on your feet in no time.
To help you catch a kidney infection before it worsens, here are eleven warning signs to watch out for:
Kidney Pain
Discomfort and pain is probably the most prevalent symptom of a kidney infection. You will feel a dull pain in the lower back and genitals that is persistent throughout the day. That said, the pain your experience might not be exactly the same as what others have reported. Any pain that affects the lower bank, flank, hips, abdominals, and groin should have you on high alert. The common denominator is that the pain radiates, or travels in waves of sharp pain, throughout the affected area. You will also have tenderness around the kidneys.
