Sunday, March 17, 2024
HomePopularHow Long Does Kidney Pain Last

How Long Does Kidney Pain Last

What Is A Kidney Infection

I Have Kidney Stones! How I Feel, How Long they Last Etc!

Kidney infections are technically a type of UTI, since kidneys are part of your upper urinary tract, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . These infections are typically caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli that is usually found in the large intestine but can wreak havoc when it finds itself in the urinary tract.

Kidney infections are one of the most common urologic conditions that we see in general urology practice, Fara Bellows, M.D., a urologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. Still, kidney infections are no joke.

This is a serious organ infection, and people need to take care of it, urologist David Kaufman, M.D., of New Yorks Central Park Urology, tells SELF. Bladder infections are really uncomfortable, but kidney infections can be deadly.

How Are Kidney Stones Treated

Once diagnosed, your healthcare provider will first determine if you even need treatment. Some smaller kidney stones may leave your system when you urinate. This can be very painful. If your provider decides that you do need treatment, your options include medications and surgery.

Medications. Medications may be prescribed to:

  • Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or, if youre in the emergency room, an IV narcotic.
  • Manage nausea/vomiting.
  • Relax your ureter so that the stones pass. Commonly prescribed medicines include tamsulosin and nifedipine .

You should ask your healthcare provider before you take ibuprofen. This drug can increase the risk of kidney failure if taken while youre having an acute attack of kidney stones especially in those who have a history of kidney disease and associated illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Surgery. There are four types of surgeries used to treat kidney stones. The first three are minimally invasive, meaning that the surgeon enters your body through a natural opening , or makes a small incision.

Can A Large Kidney Stone Cause An Injury

Your risk of injury from a kidney stone can go up based on the size and location of the stone. A larger stone could get stuck in a ureter, causing pressure to build up. This can lead to renal failure and, in the worst-case scenario, you could lose your kidney. The chance of passing a 1 cm stone is less than 10%, and stones larger than 1 cm typically dont pass.

You May Like: Is Grape Juice Good For Kidney Stones

Don’t Miss: Does Red Wine Cause Kidney Stones

Preventing Future Kidney Stones

Having one kidney stone means you might develop kidney stones in the future. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent kidney stones from forming:

  • Drink about 2-1/2 liters of water per day unless a doctor advises otherwise. How much water each person needs may vary.
  • Maintain a low-salt diet.
  • Limit animal protein to 6 to 8 ounces a day.
  • Lower sugar consumption.
  • Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
  • If you take a vitamin C supplement, make sure its less than 1,000 milligrams per day.

If you have a history of kidney stones, a dietician can review your eating habits and provide specific dietary tips that can help lower risks of kidney stones.

Editorial Sources And Fact

How Long Can Kidney Stone Pain Last
  • Preminger GM, Curhan GC. Patient Education: Kidney Stones in Adults . UpToDate. March 19, 2018.
  • A to Z Health. Urethra. PubMed Health.
  • What Are the Signs of Kidney Stones? Urology Care Foundation.
  • Kidney Stones. MedlinePlus. April 10, 2018.
  • Do You Have Symptoms of a Kidney Stone? National Kidney Foundation.
  • Foster G, Stocks C, Borofsky MS. Emergency Department Visits and Hospital Admissionsfor Kidney Stone Disease, 2009: Statistical Brief #139. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Briefs . Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality . July 2012.
  • Pickard P, Starr K, MacLennan G, et al. Medical Expulsive Therapy in Adults With Ureteric Colic: A Multicentre, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Lancet. May 18, 2015.
  • Also Check: Can You Have 4 Kidneys

    When To See Your Gp

    See your GP if you have a fever and persistent tummy, lower back or genital pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination.

    Most kidney infections need prompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection from damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream. You may also need painkillers.

    If you’re especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection for example, if you have a pre-existing health condition or are pregnant, you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through an intravenous drip.

    After taking antibiotics, you should feel completely better after about two weeks.

    In rare cases, a kidney infection can cause further problems. These include blood poisoning and a build-up of pus in the kidney called an abscess.

    Read more about treating a kidney infection and the complications of a kidney infection

    How Long Does It Take For Antibiotics To Work For Kidney Inf

    Just been prescribed ciprofloxacin for kidney infection wondering how long it take to work, was told 48 hours by GP but still feel really ill after 4 days. Never had this before so not sure how long it will last.

    1 like, 43 replies

  • Posted 12 years ago

    I just went to the Emergency room last night in so much pain. I was on your same antibiotic for 3 days and it had not helped one bit yet. They retested my urine and it was still heavely infected. They had to put me on IV antibiotics. I’m hoping it clears it up! I still feel awful. Heading back to the ER for my second round of IV antibiotics in an hour. Hopefully it works sooooooon!!

  • Posted 6 years ago

    Antibiotics don’t work in 3-4 days for a kidney infection. I was in hospital for 4 days followed b a 7 day course of pivmillcium 4 times a day. I then had a relapse and had to have a further 14 days for 3 times a day.

    The antibiotics in themselves are pretty bad for sickness and diarrhoea so its a rough ride

  • Posted 5 years ago

    Thanks for your post. It helps me. I am currently being treated for what they think is a kidney infection and I have only had 10 days of antibiotics. It is much better but not totally gone, so I will go back and see if they will put me on antibiotics longer. It’s good to hear other people’s experiences. It’s otherwise scary.

  • Read Also: How Long For Flomax To Work For Kidney Stones

    How Long Does Kidney Infection Pain Last

    Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

    Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

    HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

    What Will Happen After I Leave The Hospital

    HOW LONG ABDOMINAL SWELLING AND BLOATING LAST FOR AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT!

    After treatment, you will have blood in your urine and possibly abdominal pain or aching for several days. Other people experience a severe cramping pain as shattered stone fragments make their way out of the body. Oral pain medication and drinking lots of water will help relieve symptoms.

    Sometimes, the stone is not completely broken up, or big pieces remain and additional treatments may be needed.

    Rarely, more serious problems occur, such as bleeding near the kidney that might require a blood transfusion, damage to the area around the stone, or pieces of the stone blocking the flow of urine.

    Recommended Reading: Seltzer Water And Kidney Stones

    Whos Most Likely To Get Kidney Stones What Are The Risk Factors

    White men in their 30s and 40s are most likely to get kidney stones. However, anyone can develop kidney stones.

    There are several risk factors for developing kidney stones. These include:

    • Not drinking enough liquids.
    • Having a diet that includes the substances that form the stones .
    • Having a family history of kidney stones.
    • Having a blockage in your urinary tract.

    Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of developing stones. This is because they may increase or decrease levels of the substances that make up a kidney stone. These conditions can include:

    • Hypercalciuria .

    Certain foods can also place you at risk of a kidney stone. These foods include:

    • Meats and poultry .

    Who’s Most Likely To Get A Kidney Infection

    Women and children are most at risk of developing a kidney infection, as well as other urinary tract infections such as cystitis.

    In women, the urethra is closer to the anus than in men, making it easier for bacteria from the anus to enter the urethra accidentally. The female urethra is also much shorter than the male urethra . This makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder and move into the kidneys.

    Other factors can also put you more at risk of developing a kidney infection, including:

    Recommended Reading: Bleeding Kidney Treatment

    What Are The Common Symptoms Of A Kidney Infection

    If you have the following symptoms which are similar to basic urinary tract infection symptoms visit a nearby urgent care to treat the infection in a timely manner.

    • Frequent or urgent, painful urination
    • Cloudy, bad smelling, or bloody urine
    • Abdominal pain
    • Pressure in the pelvis
    • This could also be a sign of a bladder infection.

    Our Lakway, TX and Colorado Springs, CO urgent care facilities are fully equipped to help you treat your kidney infection symptoms. For late-night kidney infection symptoms, our 24-hour emergency room locations throughout Texas are also available to serve you.

    What Can I Expect During A Shock Wave Lithotripsy Procedure

    How Long Does Back Pain Last After Kidney Stone

    Your provider will not need to make any incisions during a shock wave lithotripsy procedure. But youll still need some form of anesthesia to keep you comfortable. You may be awake but drowsy or asleep during the procedure.

    During a shock wave lithotripsy procedure:

  • You lie on a padded table on top of a water-filled cushion. Less commonly, you may sit in a large tub of water.
  • Providers use X-rays or ultrasound to pinpoint a kidney stones location. These images help providers aim shock waves precisely to make treatment more effective.
  • Your care team may move you slightly to line up your body with the energy beams.
  • A shock wave lithotripsy machine sends powerful energy waves through the water and into your body. If youre awake for the procedure, you may hear a popping sound or feel a tapping sensation along your side.
  • Thousands of shock waves are aimed at the kidney stone, breaking the stone into many pieces. Smaller pieces can then pass more easily through the urinary tract.
  • You May Like: Can Multivitamins Cause Kidney Stones

    How Can I Prevent Kidney Stones

    There are several ways to decrease your risk of kidney stones, including:

    • Drink water. Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses every day . Staying hydrated helps you urinate more often, which helps flush away the buildup of the substances that cause kidney stones. If you sweat a lot, be sure to drink even more.
    • Limit salt. Eat less sodium. You may want to connect with a dietician for help with planning what foods you eat.
    • Lose weight. If youre overweight, try to lose some pounds. Talk to your healthcare provider about an ideal weight.
    • Take prescriptions. Your healthcare provider may prescribe some medications that help prevent kidney stones. The type of medication may depend on the type of stones you get.

    Whats The Urinary Tract How Does It Work

    Your urinary tract is vital to your body because it gets rid of waste and extra fluid. Its made up of both your kidneys, two ureters, your bladder and your urethra. Each organ has an important job :

    • Kidneys: Your fist-sized, bean-shaped kidneys are located on either side of your spine, below your rib cage. Each day they filter 120 to 150 quarts of your blood to remove waste and balance fluids. Your kidneys make one to two quarts of urine every day.
    • Ureters: After your kidney creates urine, the liquid travels through the tube-shaped ureter to the bladder. There is one ureter per kidney. Kidney stones can pass through the ureters or, if theyre too big, get stuck in them. You may require surgery if the stone is too large.
    • Bladder: Between your hip bones is your bladder, an organ that stores urine. It stretches to hold about one and a half to two cups.
    • Urethra: Like a ureter, your urethra is a tube through which urine passes. Its the final stop of the urinary tract where your urine leaves your body. This is called urination.

    Recommended Reading: Is Celery Juice Good For Kidneys

    Have A Severe Kidney Infection Head To A Complete Care Er Facility Asap

    If youre ever questioning should I go to the ER for a kidney infection, dont hesitate to stop by a Complete Care emergency facility for hospital-quality emergency care service. Our ER laboratories provide precise kidney function testing and urinalysis so we can get to the bottom of your kidney infection faster.

    Trust us to take complete care of you. We treat any and all medical emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit any of our emergency room locations in Texas and Colorado Springs today!

    More Helpful Articles by Complete Care:

    Drink Plenty Of Liquids

    Living with chronic kidney disease

    Drinking plenty of liquids, particularly water, will help to wash bacteria from your bladder and urinary tract.

    Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry extracts may also help prevent urinary tract infections . However, you should avoid cranberry juice or extracts if you’re taking warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots. Cranberry juice can make the effects of warfarin more potent, so there’s a risk of excessive bleeding.

    Read Also: Is Grape Juice Good For Kidney Stones

    Causes Of Kidney Stones

    The most common cause of kidney stones isdehydration. Youre not drinking enough water to dilute the concentration of minerals in your urine . Recommended water consumption is about two liters or half a gallon of water a day.

    Water is the best fluid to drink in order to prevent kidney stones, Dr. Abromowitz explains. But water from a well is very high in solutes, which increases your chance of kidney stones. So i f you’re drinking well water, you ought to have a purification system on it. Every year I see patients who develop a kidney stone for this reason.

    Other kidney stone risk factors include:

    • Too little or too much exercise
    • Being overweight
    • Eating food with excess salt, sugar, and animal protein
    • Weight loss surgery
    • Kidney infections. Infections increase the risk of kidney stones by slowing urine flow or changing the acid balance of urine.
    • Family history of kidney stones
    • Some drugs used to treat AIDS, seizures, and migraines can cause kidney stones.

    Should I Go To The Er For A Kidney Infection

    Urinary Infections

    Should I go to the ER for a kidney infection? Kidney infections occur when bacteria from your bowel enter your urinary tract, causing an infection that requires medical attention. However, you may not need to visit the emergency room for a kidney infection if your symptoms are not severe. If you do believe youre having severe kidney infection symptoms, visit an emergency room as soon as possible.

    Check out the answers to other ER-related questions:

    Recommended Reading: Can You Have 4 Kidneys

    Things You Can Try Yourself

    If you have a kidney infection, try not to “hover” over the toilet seat when you go to the loo because it can result in your bladder not being fully emptied.

    It’s also important for most people with a kidney infection to drink plenty of fluids because this will help to flush out the bacteria from your kidneys. Aim to drink enough so that you’re frequently passing pale-coloured urine.

    If you have kidney failure, get advice from your doctor on how much to drink.

    Make sure you get plenty of rest. A kidney infection can be physically draining, even if you’re normally healthy and strong. It may take up to 2 weeks before you’re fit enough to return to work.

    What Causes A Kidney Infection

    Kidney Infection Treatment How Long

    Kidney infections are caused by bacteria or viruses.

    Scientists believe that most kidney infections start as a bladder infection that moves upstream to infect one or both of your kidneys. Most often, the infection is caused by bacteria that normally live in your bowel. The urinary tract has several ways to prevent infection from moving up the urinary tract. For example, urination most often flushes out bacteria before it reaches the bladder. Sometimes your body cant fight the bacteria and the bacteria cause a UTI. If you dont get medical treatment to stop the infection, the bacteria may infect your kidneys.

    In some cases, your blood can carry bacteria or viruses from another part of your body to your kidneys.

    Read Also: Does Pop Cause Kidney Stones

    How Can I Fast Track The Healing Process

    Your doctor knows better about the working of your body. Talk to your doctor and ask him about the ways in which you can speed up the process of your recovery. However, we have mentioned a list of methods that generally help in curing kidney pain.

    • Religiously follow the plan that your doctor provides. Take medicines regularly.
    • Check your temperature every day to ensure that your body is recovering. This shows that the antibiotics are working.
    • Ask your doctor if it is appropriate for your body to drink fluids. If it is, drink plenty of liquids and try to remove the bacteria.
    • Communicate with your doctor regarding any symptoms or abnormalities in your body after consuming the medicines.
    • To ease the kidney pain, apply a heating pad on the required area.

    If youve read this article till the end, we hope that it has provided you with the required information. If the conditions still persist after medication, talk to your doctor and ask for the surgical procedures to cure the pain.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular