Bacteria can enter your urinary tract and grow, eventually impacting your kidney function. Or more rarely, if the bacteria travels through your bloodstream, it can move to your kidneys. One or both of your kidneys can become infected. Your urinary tract is made up of your kidneys, bladder, ureters (ducts that connect the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra. Your first indication of a problem might be difficulty urinating. You might find yourself running to the bathroom, only to feel pain when urinating and an immediate urge to urinate even though you just did. Other symptoms of an infection include: Fever Vomiting or nausea Chills Back, side or groin pain Abdominal pain Frequent urination Pus or blood in your urine (hematuria) Cloudy or smelly urine Delirium, or other uncommon symptoms, especially in the elderly Since women's urethras (the ducts that carry urine out of the body) are shorter, bacteria can travel easier causing infection. In addition to being a woman, other factors that increase your risk for infection include: A weakened immune system Nerve damage near the bladder Something blocking your urinary tract (like a kidney stone or enlarged prostate) Urine that flows back into the kidneys If you have any symptoms of a kidney infection, you should contact your doctor. Since the condition requires medical treatment, it's best to get an immediate diagnosis. Your doctor will test your urine and may do an ultrasound to check for damage of the kidneys. The doctor may want to test your blood for bacteria and might look for blood in your urine sample. Since kidney infection is caused by bacteria, you'll probably be prescribed a course of antibiotics. You'll generally need to take these for about a week. In severe cases, you may be hospitalized while you get antibiotics. Always complete the course of antibiotics even if you begin to feel better. Stopping before you're done can cause the bacteria to return and resist the medication.
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One-sentence summary -- Understand what a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is. Look for symptoms of kidney infection. Think about your risk factors. Know when to get medical attention. Follow your doctor's treatment recommendation.

Make your pinata whatever you like! The easiest shape to make is an oblong sphere based on a balloon form, but you can make anything you want. To create a more elaborate shape, tape or glue cardstock, and cardboard onto your balloon form. Traditional pinatas are made with a ceramic pot as the form, but these can be messy and dangerous. Stick with a pliable form made from paper products.
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One-sentence summary -- Choose a shape for your pinata.

These will be formulated to add body and texture to your hair without weighing it down. These products should say on the label that they are intended for curly or permed hair, and are available at most supermarkets, drugstores, and beauty shops that carry hair care products. Ask your stylist for product recommendations. When your hair is still a little damp after washing, lean over so your hair falls forward and comb about a handful of mousse through your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Gently scrunch your curls with your fingers. If you have time, let your hair air-dry for a more natural look. Otherwise, use a diffuser attachment to blow dry your hair so your curls keep their shape. You can also use a little water in a spray bottle to dampen your hair before using mousse. Defining creams are designed to reduce frizz and add structure and body to your curls without weighing them down or making them crispy. You can work the cream into your hair by hand, using your fingers to gently shape and twist individual curls. Leave-in conditioners and oil-based products can weigh your hair down and make your curls appear less soft and bouncy. Gel can make curly hair become crunchy and rigid. If you frequently blow dry your hair, invest in a diffuser attachment to avoid causing frizz or damaging your hair with heat. It disperses the blower's air more evenly, which means the heat won't be as intense and it won't move your hair around as much while you're drying it.
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One-sentence summary -- Look for products that are designed for curly hair. Use mousse to add volume to your curls. Try a defining cream to give your curls structure. Avoid gel and leave-in conditioners to keep your hair light and soft. Use a diffuser attachment with your blow dryer.

If you make the lifestyle changes suggested above but see no change in symptoms, it's time to see a doctor. Long-term GERD can cause esophageal injury and is associated with other severe health problems. Prolonged inflammation and repeated injury can also increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Don't hesitate to seek medical treatment if lifestyle changes don't fix your stomach acid issues. Medical treatment for GERD is broken down according to severity of symptoms. Many of medications are available over-the-counter (OTC). You should still consult your doctor to ensure a proper treatment regimen. If he or she can write you a prescription for an OTC medication, you might even be able to get it covered by insurance. Follow the dosage and timing instructions carefully for each different drug to prevent potentially severe side effects. For mild to moderate GERD: Take antacids as needed (Tums, Maalox) to neutralize acid if your symptoms occur once weekly or less. They provide relief within minutes, but only last for about one hour. Take surface agents (sucralfate/Carafate) to protect esophageal and stomach lining and promote healing. Take histamine 2 receptor antagonists (Zantac, Pepcid) to decrease acid secretion. For severe or frequent (2 or more episodes per week) GERD: take proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole) to prevent acid secretion in the stomach. Some of these are available OTC, and the standard dose is one pill daily for 8 weeks. Side effects include: bacterial infections and diarrhea, anemia and osteoporosis, and interactions with other medications. In a screening upper endoscopy, doctors use a camera on a flexible tube to look at the throat, esophagus, and stomach. During the procedure, they might take biopsies to assess inflammation, check for H. pylori (a type of bacteria), and rule out cancer. Discuss whether your symptoms call for an endoscopy with your doctor. Rarely, GERD symptoms don't respond to any medications, in which case you may need surgery. One surgical approach (fundoplication) wraps the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus, then sews it in place to reinforce the esophageal opening. A second approach wraps a string of magnetized beads around the point where the esophagus meets the stomach. This closes the lower esophagus, but lets it expand when swallowing so food can get through. Young people who will suffer from life-long GERD symptoms can also consider surgery.
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One-sentence summary --
See a doctor if necessary. Ask your doctor for medication recommendations. Discuss the option of an endoscopy. Be open to surgery if your doctor recommends it.