Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Kidney Infection - Pyelonephritis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys or the ureters. The ureters are small tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Pyelonephritis may come on suddenly or it may be a long-term problem.
What is going on in the body?
Escherichia coli is a bacteria that is normally found in the large intestine. It causes about 90 percent of kidney infections. These infections usually spread from the genital area through the ureters to the bladder. In a healthy urinary tract, the infection is prevented from going to the kidneys by the flow of urine, which washes organisms out. When bacteria enter the usually "germ-free" urinary tract, they can cause pyelonephritis.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Pyelonephritis is usually caused by bacteria entering the kidneys from the bladder. The most common causes of this bacteria reaching the bladder include: