Kidney infections if left untreated can become very serious issues with time. Untreated kidney infections can in turn cause kidney stones, bladder infections, prostate infections, sepsis, abscesses, scarring and even complete kidney failure in certain cases.
It is considered wise to undergo a urine test as and when the initial symptoms of a kidney infection start occurring. Accordingly, some of the initial symptoms of an infection include physical weakness, extreme fatigue, nausea, severe vomiting, sudden chills, fever, lower back pain, abdominal pain, burning urination and dehydration etc. The urine test would ascertain as to whether the symptoms are caused by a kidney infection or some other medical condition. This in turn would make it easier for further treatment options.
Although most kinds of kidney infections need to be treated with antibiotics, certain home remedies can be used to alleviate the symptoms of the condition until standard medical treatment is given. In certain cases, home remedies can even help fight off kidney infections that don’t respond to standard medications. Given below are some of the most common home remedies recommended for recurrent kidney infections in individuals.
Best Home Remedies for Kidney Infections
1. Dietary Changes
One of the best ways to get rid of kidney infections is to include plenty of fluids into the existing diet. Fluids are necessary to flush out the bacteria and fungi that are responsible for the infection. Drinking plenty of fluids would result in frequent urination which in turn would effectively get rid of the harmful organisms infecting the body.
2. Water
Drinking plenty of water everyday can be considered as one of the most effective home remedies for any and all kinds of infections related to the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water or more regularly can stimulate frequent urination which is considered as a feasible solution to remove the infection causing bacteria from the body.
3. Cranberry Juice
Opt or fresh fruit and vegetable juices on a daily basis to get rid of kidney infections quickly and effectively. An excellent example is Cranberry juice which can be used to treat all kinds of kidney and urinary tract infections.Drinking a glass of cranberry juice twice a day can help flush out the bacteria from your system and offer relief from the symptoms of a severe kidney infection. Do not opt for artificial cranberry juice/cocktails that contain sugar which can irritate the system. Rather, opt for the pure form that is 100% natural.
4. Alternate Fluids
In addition to the above mentioned fluids, other options you can try out include aloe vera juice (100% natural), diluted vinegar (one glass) and baking soda solution (baking soda mixed in water) etc.
5. Foods To Avoid
Adding fluids to your diet is only half the job done. You need to forgo certain foods from your existing diet as well in order to treat kidney infections and prevent recurrences. These include caffeinated products, citrus juices (or products containing citric acids), sodas and alcohol, all of which would aggravate the symptoms of kidney infections.
Infections in the kidneys would also prevent the organs from properly regulating the phosphorous levels in the body. In this case, consuming foods like milk, whole grains, chocolates, nuts, beans, dried peas, lentils and organ meats etc. which contain high amounts of phosphorous could aggravate the infection and lead to other medical ailments. Therefore, it is considered best to avoid these foods from the diet as well until the infection is completely cured.
6. Over The Kitchen Counter Remedies
If you can’t get your hands on cranberry juice, opt for raw cranberry pills that you can pop into your mouth as and when you feel the symptoms worsening. Raw garlic (or garlic pills) can also be used to thwart kidney infections and contains antibiotic properties that promote quick healing. Another alternative is Echinacea which can be taken in its raw form or as pills regularly until the infection is completely cured.
Also Read
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7 Herbal Remedies For Kidney Failure
7. Vitamin C Intake
Vitamin C can help fight off almost all kinds of kidney infections effectively. A daily dosage of Vitamin C supplement can effectively alleviate the symptoms of a kidney infection and get rid of the bacteria causing the infection (by stabilizing the urine acid).It is considered wise to check with a doctor regarding the required dosage which would usually vary between 500 mg – 5 gm based on individual body constraints.
8. Frequent Urination
Urinating frequently can help flush out bacteria, viruses and other harmful radicals that could potentially cause kidney infections in individuals. Make it a point to urinate frequently (you need to drink plenty of fluids in order to do that) and keep drinking fluids to prevent dehydration. Once the infection causing organisms are flushed out, then infection would heal automatically. Make it a point to urinate immediately after sexual intercourse in order to prevent the spread of infection causing bacteria between partners.
9. Proper Hygiene
Personal hygiene plays a very important role in treating urethra, bladder and kidney related infections in addition to preventing recurrences. Individuals with kidney infections need to maintain proper personal hygiene in order to prevent the spread of the infection causing bacteria from one area of the body to another.For instance, after urinating or bathing, the concerned individual should make it a point to wipe from front to back as this would prevent the spread of bacteria usually present in the anal area to the urethra from where they can spread to the kidneys.
10. Hot Compresses
Kidney infections usually cause back pain in individuals. Heating pads or compresses can be used to alleviate this pain. Placing (or holding) a heating pad against the lower back (or abdomen) can help reduce the pain caused by recurrent kidney infections. The heating pad needs to be kept in place for about 20 minutes for best results and can be used several times a day for extended relief.
11. Avoiding Triggers
Certain habitual actions can aggravate the symptoms of kidney infections and cause frequent recurrences. For instance, frequent bathing can remove the protective mucous covering of the urethra and allow bacteria to easily enter the body, including the kidneys. The chemicals present in soaps can also provide easy entry for the bacteria into the kidneys. Therefore, it is considered wise to stay away from bubble baths, and opt for just one bath a day until the infection is cured.
12. Clothing Considerations
Avoiding tight fitting clothing and synthetic materials can help reduce the symptoms of kidney infections to a great extent. Tight fitting clothes can increase sweating which in turn can make these areas potential breeding grounds for the infection causing bacteria. Wearing loose or proper fit cotton underpants would allow air to pass through the fabric and keep these areas free of moisture, thereby preventing the spread of the infection causing bacteria to the kidneys and effectively reducing the symptoms of recurrent kidney infections.
