Home Remedies for Kidney Infections are simple and easy ways to treat a medical condition, alleviate the symptoms associated with it, and prevent further infections in the future.
What is a kidney infection?
Kidney Infection is a significant, yet uncomplicated medical condition that requires immediate treatment. These infections often start as a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or bladder infection then spreads to the kidney to cause complicated infection or in other words pyelonephritis.
You would likely experience symptoms like fever, chills, back or groin pain, pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria), the urge to pee more frequently during the night (nocturia), or more frequent urination in general, nausea, and vomiting.
On the other hand, some signs that suggest having kidney infection such as cloudy, or bloody urination that necessitates seeking medical treatment.
What is the role of Home Remedies for Kidney Infections?
Here are the most effective home treatments:
1-Drink plenty of water
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends drinking 6-8 ounce glasses of water per day to flush bacteria from the kidneys. However, this amount is reduced in cases of kidney failure.
2. Drink cranberry juice
One of the most palatable home remedies for kidney infection. Evidence suggested that drinking cranberry juice might help or prevent bladder and urinary tract infections.
To have the maximum benefit of cranberry juice, you can try a cranberry supplement or pure cranberry juice.
3- Drink green tea
A study published in 2013 in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology suggests green tea extract has an antibacterial effect on common bacteria known to cause UTIs.
The researchers applied green tea extracts to bacterial cultures in a laboratory. Over time, they found the green tea inhibited bacterial growth.
Yet, there is still a debate if this bacterial growth inhibition could be attained in-vivo as it worked in-vitro. You can drink green tea or have a green tea extract.
4- Try parsley juice
Parsley juice is a natural diuretic that increases both the frequency and amount of urination, so it helps to flush out the bacteria from the kidneys faster.
Mixing parsley juice into a smoothie with strong-flavored fruits, including cranberries or blueberries is even more efficacious.
5. Consume apples and apple juice
Besides being nutritional, apples have high acid content that helps to maintain acidic urine, and so possibly inhibit further growth of bacteria.
In general, Acidic food is one of the Home Remedies for Kidney Infections. They have anti-inflammatory properties as well that are beneficial to support healing post-infection.
6. Take probiotics
Probiotics are one the most effective home remedies for kidney infections as they have two main benefits. The first is that they keep your body’s healthy bacteria in check, especially that antibiotics get rid of both “good” and “bad” bacteria.
The second benefit is that probiotics can assist the kidneys in processing waste materials, and so as your kidney functions are improved, as treatment becomes more effective.
7. Get some vitamin C
Known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin C is one of the most common home remedies for kidney infections.
It helps protect tissues from oxidative stress, which can consequently help promote kidney health. Evidence suggested that vitamin C can prevent kidney scarring during acute kidney infection and boost the enzymes within the kidneys. You can use vitamin C supplements or vitamin C-rich food.
8. Take an Epsom salt bath
Both Epsom salt and warm water can make your pain tolerable. This can be quite useful as it lessens the unpleasant symptoms until antibiotics exert their effects. It also may decrease the abdominal pain associated with antibiotics as well.
Now how can you prepare an Epsom salt bath?
It is very easy. All you need is 300 grams (1.5 cups) of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water or 2 cups of Epsom salt added to your bathtub of water.
9- Use warm, moist heat
Applying a heating pad or a warm water bottle to areas of flank pain can help to soothe irritated nerves and reduce pain. It should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes.
10- Avoid Irritants
Limiting intake of alcohol and coffee is a critical step in the treatment plan as they reduce the effectiveness of your body’s healing process causing dehydration and irritation to the urinary tract.
When to see a urologist?
You should not rely on home remedies for kidney infections and seek immediate medical intervention if you have the following symptoms: a high-grade fever exceeding 103°F, presence of blood or pus, a thick liquid that is white or yellow, in the urine, and severe vomiting.
In addition, if you have signs of a burning sensation when urinating, chills, flank pain, or pain in the sides or back, foul-smelling urine, and frequent urination seeking medical attention is the best treatment.
If you have a history of kidney disease or kidney stones, get an immediate appointment with your doctor.
The good news is that none of these home remedies for kidney infections counteracts the standard treatment of kidney infections.
Takeaway advice
Rest, hydration and supportive therapies can all boost healing when they have a kidney infection. If you are already on medication, and the symptoms are not relieved or their intensity increases, it could be a sign of worsening infection.
In this case, home remedies for kidney infections are not the definitive therapeutic choice, yet adjuvant. You should be aware of the frequency of UTI if you have recurrent infections, and inform your doctor to establish the reason behind them.
Medical treatment
Antibiotics are the first line of treatment of kidney infection. If the infection is uncomplicated, the duration of treatment is usually 3 to 7 days. Yet if it is a complicated infection, the duration is extended to 10 to 14 days.
You must take the entire course of antibiotics, as it may increase your chances of getting antibiotic resistance if you did not finish the treatment course of antibiotics.
Summary
Home remedies for kidney infections are both effective and safe options to conquer and lessen the painful symptoms.
By: Dr. Hoda Elasmar
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Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
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