N11.1: Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis

There are 2 kidneys in the body. There is one on each side of the spine just below the ribcage. Each kidney is made up of renal tissue and a renal pelvis. The renal tissue purifies the blood and, by doing so, produces urine. The urine gathers in the renal pelvis. The two renal pelvises are part of the urinary passages. The urinary passages include the ureters, bladder and urethra. Urine flows from both kidneys into the bladder via the ureters. The urethra channels the urine outward from the bladder.

It is likely that your urinary passages have become constricted at one or more places. This may be caused, for example, by a stone in the urinary passages. If the urinary passages are constricted, urine cannot flow out of the body properly. This can increase the likelihood of the urinary passages becoming inflamed. If the urinary passages become inflamed repeatedly, the inflammation can also spread to the kidney. This is why your renal pelvis is repeatedly inflamed.

This frequently causes severe pain in the loins. This is the area on either side of your body between the abdomen and back where the kidneys are located. Urination is also painful in most cases. It is also possible that you will have a high temperature. You often also feel weak.