A kidney infection can be quite painful. As a type of urinary tract infection, kidney infections typically begin in the urethra or bladder, then travel through the body to one – or both – of the kidneys. Absolutely anyone can develop a kidney infection, and once one begins, it’s critical that you seek out medical treatment. To learn more about how kidney infections are treated, search online.
Kidney infections must be treated as soon as they’re detected. Otherwise, a single infection could permanently damage your kidneys, spread throughout your bloodstream, and cause a potentially deadly infection. Typically, treatment requires antibiotics. However, some people may supplement their doctor’s treatment regimen with home remedies. Search online to find popular home remedies that may be able to help a kidney infection.
Signs of a Kidney Infection
Because anyone can develop a kidney infection, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of these types of infections. They begin when bacteria enters the body, and they can spread to the kidneys and beyond if left untreated.
Here’s what symptoms typically accompany a kidney infection:
- Fever
- Chills
- Pain in your abdomen, back, sides, or groin
- Frequent urination
- A strong urge to urinate
- Burning or pain while urinating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pus or blood in the urine
- Cloudy, bad-smelling urine
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Treatment is key in stopping the spread of bacteria and eliminating the infection.
Try These Home Remedies to Treat Your Kidney Infection
Kidney infections are very serious, and it’s critical that you seek out your doctor’s care for proper treatment. Make sure to take the prescription antibiotics your doctor prescribes. However, in addition to the antibiotic treatment, you can also try home remedies to ease your symptoms and discomfort.
The following are some of the most popular home remedies for kidney infection symptoms and pain.
Drinking Water
Make sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Drinking water can help flush bacteria out of the body, and it may be able to help you fight the infection faster.
Skip Alcohol and Coffee
Alcohol and coffee can be pretty hard on the kidneys. When you drink alcohol or coffee, you’re making your kidneys work harder to filter. That can slow down the healing process when you’re dealing with an infection. Limit your consumption of these beverages until you’re healed. Plus, mixing antibiotics and alcohol is never a good idea.
Drink Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is actually a great remedy for UTIs and bladder infections, and according to some research it may even be able to prevent or aid these infections. However, make sure you’re only drinking pure cranberry juice – sweetened cranberry juice isn’t a healthy option.
Take Probiotics
Probiotics can help your kidneys in a few ways. They help to add “good” bacteria to the body to keep you balanced, and they can help you maintain the right amount of “good” bacteria even as antibiotics work to eliminate all bacteria. Probiotics can also help your kidneys process waste, keeping them functioning well.
Increase Your Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a great source of antioxidants – and it may be helpful while you’re fighting a kidney infection. Some research shows that vitamin C can prevent kidney scarring that might happen during an infection by boosting kidney enzymes. It can also promote kidney health overall.
Drink Parsley Juice
Parsley juice may not sound too appetizing, but this nutrient-dense drink can actually help you flush bacteria out of your body – and your kidneys – faster. Drinking parsley juice can help you boost the effectiveness of your antibiotics, urinate more frequently, and achieve a bacteria-free body sooner.
Soak in an Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salts are great for treating many ailments, especially when used in combination with a warm bath. Taking an Epsom salt bath may help ease the pain of your kidney infection symptoms, giving you some relief while you relax.
Apply Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can reduce pain, and it can be a good remedy to try if you’re waiting for the antibiotics to begin working or are still in pain. You can use a hot water bottle or heating pad for 20-minutes at a time as needed to wherever you’re feeling pain the most.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan. Home remedies can be a good complement that may help alleviate symptoms, discomfort, and more, but they’re best used in combination with prescribed medications. You can search online to find more home remedies for kidney infections that might help you heal and feel back to normal sooner.
