• Kidney infections can be a painful experience that hits you seemingly without warning. One minute you're feeling fine; the next minute you have high fevers, severe nausea and trouble using the bathroom. To avoid having a kidney infection, you should understand your kidney's functions and where the infections start.
  
  

Kidneys and Their Responsibility

• Kidneys may be small, but they take on a huge roll for the body. Your kidney is the main filtration process for your body by flushing out toxic substances, urea, drugs, etc. Kidneys ensure your body has the proper amount of water stays in your system by flushing out the excess fluids. They also regulate the acid/base balance in your blood as well as assisting in blood pressure regulation and making red blood cells.
  
  With all these responsibilities, it's no wonder that kidney failure can have a traumatic effect on the body. Kidney failure can start from a kidney infection. Also known as pyelonephritis, kidney infections typically start in the bladder where your urine is stored. Your large intestines can house bacteria that are supposed to be flushed out by your kidneys via urine. If the bacterium sticks around, it can travel up the kidney's tubes (ureters). That's when infection can set in.
  
  

Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

• The symptoms of a kidney infection include severe stomach pains or vomiting, quickly rising high fever, loss of appetite, cloudy urine and a sluggish feeling. The longer these kidneys stay infected, the greater chances that they will swell and become inflamed. This can also lead to kidney damage, failure and blood poisoning.
  
  Fortunately there are treatments for kidney infections that can keep them from developing into something much worse. 48 hours rest and antibiotics are the most prescribed treatments. You'll also be asked to drink a lot of water to help flush out your kidneys and the urinary tract just in case there is more bacteria lurking in your system.
  
  Prevention may be just as simple. You should avoid putting undo stress on your kidneys by drinking plenty of non-caffeinated liquids or liquids with high sugar and salt contents. Vinegar and spicy foods can irritate your kidneys. Practicing good hygiene is just as important. Avoid wearing thongs or super-tight underwear that can get too close to your exit holes. Women are advised to urinate after intercourse and to drink plenty of cranberry juice.