Everyone Healthy Library
Upper Urinary Tract Infection
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
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Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Linked signs and symptoms
2Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
4Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
7Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
34These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Glucose Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Cerebrospinal Fluid White Cell Differential
- Chloride Concentration (Blood)
- Cholesterol Concentration
- Cholinesterase (Serum Acetylcholinesterase, Pseudocholinesterase)
- D-Dimer Blood Test
- Eosinophils Count
- Ferritin Concentration
- Fibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products, FSPs, Fibrin Breakdown Products, Fbps)
- Fibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrinogen Concentration test
- Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) Action Assay
- Glucagon Concentration Test
- Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Concentration
- haptoglobin (Hp) concentration
- Plasminogen Activity
- Platelet Count
- Potassium Concentration (K, Blood)
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
- Protein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Urine Crystal Concentration
- Urine glucose concentration
- Urine Granular Cast Concentration
- Urine Haemologlobin (Hb) Concentration
- Urine Leukocyte Esterase Screening
- Urine Nitrate Concentration
- Urine pH Test
- Urine Red Blood Cells Concentration
- Urine White Blood Cells Test
- White Blood Cell (WBC) Count
Biological markers/agents
38This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
32- Albumin (Cerebrospinal Fluid, CSF)Reference range exampleAll: 10–35 mg/dL; All: 56–76 %Linked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration, Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Alpha-1 Antintrypsin (AAT)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 90–215 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsAlpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- Alpha-1-Globulin (Blood, Serum)Reference range exampleAll: 0.1–0.3 gm/dLLinked diagnostic testsProtein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Alpha-2-Globulin (Blood, Serum)Reference range exampleAll: 0.6–1 gm/dLLinked diagnostic testsProtein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid LeukocytesReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–5 /µL; 1y - 6y: 0–20 /µLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid White Cell Differential
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Total ProteinReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 15–45 mg/dL; Child (< 10y): 15–70 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Cholesterol (Total)Reference range exampleInfant (0 - 1y): 75–180 mg/dL; Adult ( > 16y): 0–190 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCholesterol Concentration
- D-DimerReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–240 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsD-Dimer Blood Test
- EosinophilsReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–3 %; 0–3 %Linked diagnostic testsDifferential White Blood Cell Count Tests, Eosinophil Differential Of Total WBC
- FerritinReference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 7–140 µg/L; Adult ( > 16y), Female: 18–160 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsFerritin Concentration
- Fibrin MonomersReference range example0–10,000 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsFibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrin Split ProductsReference range exampleAll: 0–1 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsFibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products
- FibrinogenReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 150–400 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsFibrinogen Concentration test
- Fibrinopeptide A (FPA)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 0.7–3.1 mg/mL; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 0.35–2.5 mg/mLLinked diagnostic testsFibrinopeptide A (FPA) Action Assay
- Forced Expiratory Volume At Three Seconds (FEV3)Reference range exampleAll: 95–100 %Linked diagnostic testsSpirometry
- Gamma Globulin (Blood, Serum)Reference range exampleAll: 0.8–1.7 gm/dLLinked diagnostic testsProtein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- GlucagonReference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 0–147 pg/mL; Adult ( > 16y): 20–110 pg/mLLinked diagnostic testsGlucagon Concentration Test
- haptoglobin (Hp)Reference range example45–200 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testshaptoglobin (Hp) concentration
- PlasminogenReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 65–153 %; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 70–120 %Linked diagnostic testsPlasminogen Activity
- Potassium (K, Blood)AbbreviationKReference range exampleInfant (0 - 1y): 4.1–5.3 mEq/L; Child (0 - 16y): 3.4–4.7 mEq/LLinked diagnostic testsPotassium Concentration (K, Blood)
- PrealbuminReference range exampleAll: 2–7 %Linked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Male: 0–3.8 ng/mLLinked diagnostic testsProstate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
- Triple Phosphate Crystals (Urine)Reference range exampleAll: 0–1 Not PresentLinked diagnostic testsUrine Crystal Concentration
- Unrine Granular CastsReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–0 Not PresentLinked diagnostic testsUrine Granular Cast Concentration
- Urine Crystals (Total)Reference range example0–2 /hpfLinked diagnostic testsUrine Crystal Concentration
- Urine glucoseReference range example0–2.5; Adult ( > 16y): 0–2.5 mmol/dayLinked diagnostic testsUrine glucose concentration
- Urine Haemoglobin (Hb)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–0.02 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsUrine Haemologlobin (Hb) Concentration
- Urine Leukocyte EsteraseReference range exampleAll: 0–1 Not PresentLinked diagnostic testsUrine Leukocyte Esterase Screening
- Urine NitrateReference range exampleAll: 0–0 Not PresentLinked diagnostic testsUrine Nitrate Concentration
- Urine Red Blood CellsReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–2 /hpfLinked diagnostic testsUrine Red Blood Cells Concentration
- Urine White Blood CellsReference range exampleAll: 0–5 /hpfLinked diagnostic testsUrine White Blood Cells Test
- White Blood Cell (WBC)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 4.5–10.5 million/mL; Adult ( > 16y): 3.2–10 million/mLLinked diagnostic testsWhite Blood Cell (WBC) Count
Often decreased
6- Chloride (Blood, Cl)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 97–106 mEq/L; Birth - 2wks: 94–106 mEq/LLinked diagnostic testsChloride Concentration (Blood)
- CholinesteraseReference range exampleAll: 6–19 U/mLLinked diagnostic testsCholinesterase (Serum Acetylcholinesterase, Pseudocholinesterase)
- Glucose (Cerebrospinal Fluid)Reference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 65–85 mg/dL; Adult ( > 16y): 50–72 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Glucose Concentration
- Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 10.1–18.5 U/gHb; Birth - 2wks: 12–23 U/gHbLinked diagnostic testsGlucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Concentration
- PlateletsReference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 150–450 109/L; Adult ( > 16y): 135–380 109/LLinked diagnostic testsPlatelet Count
- UrineReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 4.5–7.5; Child (0 - 16y): 500–1,400 mLLinked diagnostic testsUrine Colour, Urine Creatinine Concentration
Introduction / full article
Upper Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection
Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:
Vitamin A [1, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help in preventing some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Please note, this acts as a PREVENTATIVE treatment, and not necessarily symptomatic relief.
Recommendation: Strongly in favor (Vitamin A may help to prevent urinary tract infections due to its role in the body's immune function)
Grade of Evidence: high quality of evidence
Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica, Hydrocotyle Asiatica) [1, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: no recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Gotu Kola helps in the treatment of Upper Urinary Tract Infections in any way. More research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence
Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) [1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Goldenseal helps to treat Urinary Tract Infections. More studies are needed. Goldenseal may produce toxic effects, including depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, mouth ulcers and vomiting.)
Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence
Echinacea Purpurea [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: no recommendation (Evidence has shown that Echinacea has no effect in the treatment or prevention of urinary tract infections)
Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence
* www.gradeworkinggroup.org
Summary References
Treatments:
1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009
2. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/echinacea
3. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/echinacea/ataglance.htm
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16049208
5. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/29145.php
6. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/goldenseal
7. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/goldenseal/
8. Tierra Michael (1998): The Way of Herbs. New York, Pocket Books
9. Grieve M. (1971): A Modern Herbal. New York, Dover Publications, Inc
10. Mills S. and Bone K. (2000): Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingstone
11. Tice Raymond (1997): Goldenseal and Two of its constituent alkaloids: berberine and hydrastine Research Triangle Park, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in Seiger E: Review of Toxilogical Literature
12. http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/ellingwood/hydrastis.html
13. Winston, D., Maimes, S., Adaptogens: Herbs For Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, 2007, pp. 226-7
14. "A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on Acoustic Startle Response in Healthy Subjects". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 20(6):680-684, December 2000. Bradwejn, Jacques MD, FRCPC *; Zhou, Yueping MD, PhD ++; Koszycki, Diana PhD *; Shlik, Jakov MD, PhD
15. B. M. Hausen (1993) "Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort), an effective therapeutic but a weak sensitizer." Contact Dermatitis 29 (4), 175–179 doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1993.tb03532.x
16. Cataldo, A., Gasbarro, V., et al., "Effectiveness of the Combination of Alpha Tocopherol, Rutin, Melilotus, and Centella asiatica in The Treatment of Patients With Chronic Venous Insufficiency", Minerva Cardioangiology, 2001, Apr; 49(2):159-63
17. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotu_kola#Medicinal_effects
18. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/gotu-kola
19. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitamina.html
20. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vitamina.html
21. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamina.asp
22. http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/
23. Latham, Michael E. (1997). Human Nutrition in the Developing World (Fao Food and Nutrition Paper). Food & Agriculture Organization of the United. ISBN 92-5-103818-X.
24. Sommer, Alfred (1995). Vitamin a Deficiency and Its Consequences: A Field Guide to Detection and Control. Geneva: World Health Organization. ISBN 92-4-154478-3.
25. http://www.unicef.org/worldfitforchildren/files/A-RES-S27-2E.pdf