What’s the difference between a UTI, a kidney infection and kidney stones?

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about the difference between a Urinary Tract Infection, a kidney infection and kidney stones. There are a lot of similarities with these when it comes to symptoms, and they can all make you feel lousy and uncomfortable, but there are important distinctions that are really worth knowing about. 

Let’s start by talking about what a UTI is.  

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter any part of your urinary system, including your urethra, your bladder, your kidneys, or your uterus. If that bacteria isn’t flushed out of your system, it can lead to an infection.

UTIs are remarkably common – about 60% of women and 12% of men will experience at least one in their lifetime. And if you’ve ever had one, you probably haven’t forgotten the symptoms. They’re unpleasant, to say the least, including things like:

• A burning sensation when urinating
• A strong, frequent urge to urinate, but the ability to only pass a small amount of urine at a time 
• Bladder leakage when you’re unable to make it to the bathroom in time
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain
• Blood in the urine, and 
• Back pain, usually felt in the lower back

So how Long Does A UTI Last?

If you have a UTI, it’s best to get it treated right away before any complications develop – and to alleviate the symptoms that go along with it. Sure, it’s possible for a UTI to get better on its own, but most of the time, it won’t, and who wants to live in misery for longer than they have to? 

Plus, even though some home remedies can help ease some of the discomfort, a doctor can prescribe you an antibiotic that’s a much quicker and more effective than all the cranberry juice in the world. An antibiotic will start working immediately and, depending on how complicated your UTI is, may clear it up in a matter of days. Just be sure to always take your medication as directed.

Okay, but what then is a kidney infection? 

A kidney infection is, essentially, a UTI that’s spread into the kidneys. While this type of infection is rare, it’s also very dangerous, so if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately:

• Upper back or side pain
• Fever, shaking or chills
• Feeling nauseous, and
• Vomiting

While most kidney infections are readily treated with antibiotics, if left untreated, they can cause damage to your kidneys which could lead to chronic kidney disease. The bacteria could even spread to your bloodstream, and at that point, it becomes a life-threatening situation.

So what about kidney stones – are they involved somehow? 

They are – sort of. A kidney stone isn’t an infection, but a collection of salt and minerals that hardens and turns into a “stone.”  While some stones may be small, others can be much larger. They may stay in the kidney or begin to move into the ureter – that’s the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder – and when this happens, kidney stones can become excruciatingly painful.

Kidney stones can be tricky, since they can present many of the same symptoms as a UTI or a kidney infection – pain when urinating, needing to urinate often, cloudy or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, fever, nausea, or vomiting. And while stones often pass on their own, larger stones sometimes need to be broken up or removed by a medical professional.

Here’s the connection, though: Sometimes, kidney stones can lead to a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection. That’s why it’s important to get them checked out by your doctor. And since the symptoms can be so similar, getting a checkup is probably a good idea anyway, just to rule out the possibility of an infection and to make sure the stone is moving along as it should.

Okay, so how do I make sure I never get a UTI, a kidney infection or kidney stones? 

Well you can never say never, but as they say, prevention is the best cure! And there are many things you can do to reduce your risk for an infection and prevent buildup from occurring in the kidneys.

• First, practice good hygiene. Always wipe from front to back, keep your genital area clean, and wash before and after sex. Basically, do your best to keep bacteria from even having a chance of getting into the urinary system in the first place.
• Second, drink lots of water. If you’re dehydrated, you’re not only increasing your chance of a UTI, but you’re also decreasing your urine output, meaning that more minerals have a chance to build up and settle in your urinary tract or kidneys.
• Third, make sure to go whenever you feel like you have to. Holding it in just concentrates the urine, allowing bacteria to build up and spread.
• Finally, alter your diet if you find you’re prone to kidney stones. Cut down on certain meats and shellfish and opt instead for more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Avoid consuming too much sugar, cut back on sodium, and eat more oxalate-rich foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and legumes.

If you do start experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor right away. UTIs, kidney infections, and kidney stones can usually be treated pretty easily, but it’s important to get medical attention before any complications develop.

Life Without Leaks has been brought to you by the National Association for Continence. Our music is rainbows by Kevin McLeod. More information about NAFC is available online at NAFC.org.