How To Relieve Kidney Pain At Home
Dealing with kidney pain can be debilitating and is far from fun. If the pain is severe, it will interrupt your life and cause excessive levels of discomfort from day-to-day. Knowing how to relieve kidney pain at home will help you stay comfortable and safe while youre treating the underlying problem. Try out the following home remedies and always talk to your doctor if you have any questions or serious concerns.
Ditch The Pain Relievers
Slash your risk of kidney cancer further by minimizing your use of pain relievers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen , naproxen , and acetaminophen .
Products like these are very hard on the kidneys. Even worse, researchers have found that these drugs increase the risk of developing kidney cancer.
While your doctor may recommend aspirin for cardiovascular reasons, make sure you discuss the potential risk factorslow dose aspirin has benefit for certain heart conditions, but avoid using higher doses.
Infections Along The Urinary Tract
While most of these infections are simply referred to as a UTI, the location of the infection makes a difference. Lower urinary tract infections are very common and easy to treat, but as the infection travels upwards, it gets more difficult and more dangerous.
- Lower Urinary Tract Infection
A lower urinary tract infection is what we commonly refer to as a UTI. It occurs when bacteria enters the urethra and causes a frequent urge to use the bathroom, burning sensations, dark urine, bladder discomfort, and kidney pain.2
- Bladder Infection
Bladder infections occur when the lower UTI works its way into the bladder. Youll experience similar symptoms, oftentimes persisting for longer periods of time and with an increase in frequency or intensity.
- Kidney Infection
A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, occurs when excess bacteria has built up in the urinary tract and reached the kidneys.1 It is considered an upper urinary tract infection and is much more serious than lower urinary tract infections.
Once the infection spreads to your kidneys, its more dangerous. Kidney infections can be very serious and may require hospitalization. If you think you have a kidney infection, dont hesitate to schedule an appointment with your urologists for a proper diagnosis. In addition to a urine culture, your doctor will need to order imaging tests, blood tests, or a combination of both to confirm the location of the infection.
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Drink Plenty Of Liquids
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.
Detox Your Kidneys Naturally / What Youll Need
- Alkaline Punch
- Potassium Broth
- Coffee enema kit with coffee
Alkaline Punch
In a gallon container, combine the juice of 6 lemons, 6 grapefruits, and 12 oranges. Using filtered water, fill the remainder of the jar.
Potassium Broth
In a large pot, combine 25% of each of the following: carrot peelings and chopped beets potato peelings chopped garlic and onions dark greens and chopped celery. If youd like, you can add hot peppers to the mix for taste. Cover the mixture with filtered water and simmer for 1-4 hours. Strain and discard the vegetables.
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Monitor Weight And Eat A Healthy Diet
People who are overweight or obese are at risk for a number of health conditions that can damage the kidneys. These include diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.
A healthy diet thats low in sodium, processed meats, and other kidney-damaging foods may help reduce the risk of kidney damage. Focus on eating fresh ingredients that are naturally low-sodium, such as cauliflower, blueberries, fish, whole grains, and more.
Functionality Of The Kidneys
Western physiology and anatomy limits its description of the kidney to the actual organ itself, whereas Chinese medicine sees and defines the kidneys not just as an organ but a group of functions, as well as being the root of energy for the entire body. The emphasis of Chinese physiological theory is more in terms of function rather than form.
In Chinese medicine the Kidney is important as it is the source of the bodys constitutional or inherited energy and is regarded as the organ-meridian system that governs the structural integrity and function not only of the kidneys themselves but also the adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, brain, spinal cord, skeletal structure , teeth, anus, urethra and inner ear. The Kidney system also governs hormones and other substances produced by the kidneys, adrenals and sex glands, as well as reproduction, growth and the faculty of will power.
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What Is Kidney Pain
Kidney pain causes pain in the hip, back and near the ribs, which may cause fever. In addition, color changes in urine are also due to kidney disease. The kidney is a pea-sized organ located at the back of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. If the part of the kidneys is injured or dysfunctional in the activity, it may lead to pain. The pain that usually occurs in the lower back or abdomen or is caused by renal dysfunction is called kidney pain.
Some people are surprised at the exact location of the kidneys. The kidneys are relatively high inside the body, below the ribs. Pain in the back or ribs may be a sign of kidney pain. The kidneys have the function of filtering the toxins and excess water from the blood through urine. The urine produced by the kidneys will pass through two tubes called the ureters and then down the bladder. Urine is deposited here for several hours and then released through the urethra.
In many cases, kidney pain is more likely to be confused with back pain or stomach pain. It is usually a pain in the back and groin. Therefore, many people ignore it and do not think that they have kidney pain.
Kidney Damage From Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen, as well as similar over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen and aspirin, tend to be safe when taken in small doses.
However, the chemical process of these pain killers places a stress on your kidneys, and when taken in high doses or over an extended period of time can cause kidney damage.
We highly recommend following the safety information on these medications carefully, or with the guidance of a doctor.
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Consume Apples And Apple Juice
Apples are also nutrient-dense. Their high acid content may help the kidneys maintain acidity in the urine, possibly inhibiting further growth of bacteria.
They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in helping the kidneys heal following the infection.
Types Of Kidney Stones
There are four major types of kidney stones, including:
- stones formed from calcium not used by the bones and muscles, combined with oxalate or phosphate these are the most common kidney stones
- stones containing magnesium and the waste product ammonia these are called struvite stones and form after urine infections
- uric acid stones these are often caused by eating very large amounts of protein foods
- cystine stones these are rare and hereditary.
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Symptoms Of Kidney Stones
Many people with kidney stones have no symptoms. However, some people do get symptoms, which may include:
- a gripping pain in the back usually just below the ribs on one side, radiating around to the front and sometimes towards the groin. The pain may be severe enough to cause nausea and vomiting
- blood in the urine
- cloudy or bad smelling urine
- shivers, sweating and fever if the urine becomes infected
- small stones, like gravel, passing out in the urine, often caused by uric acid stones
- an urgent feeling of needing to urinate, due to a stone at the bladder outlet.
What Are Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are solid crystals formed from the salts in urine. They are sometimes called renal calculi. Kidney stones can block the flow of urine and cause infection, kidney damage or even kidney failure. They can vary in size and location.
The risk of kidney stones is about one in 10 for men and one in 35 for women. Between four and eight per cent of the Australian population suffer from kidney stones at any time.
After having one kidney stone, the chance of getting a second stone is between five and 10 per cent each year. Thirty to fifty per cent of people with a first kidney stone will get a second stone within five years. After five years, the risk declines. However, some people keep getting stones their whole lives.
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/10natural Remedies For Kidney Stones
Kidneys are one of the most essential organs which are required for the proper functioning of the body. The kidneys filter blood to remove waste, impurities like unnecessary fluids from our body and keep the right levels of electrolytes. They excrete toxins and waste into our bladder for elimination through the urinary tract. However, due to some reasons, if our body is unable to do this, crystals and unprocessed minerals start to form which are also known as kidney stones. Small kidney stones can be cured easily if diagnosed in the initial stages. Lack of water in our body, the formation of excessive acid in the urine, urinary tract infections, etc. are some of the reasons for developing kidney stones.
Is It A Kidney Infection Or Something Else
Your symptoms could also result from another common illness. Some similar conditions you may mistake for a kidney infection include:
- Other UTIs. Other types of UTIs, such as those affecting the urethra and bladder, can also cause symptoms like urgent and painful urination, abdominal pain, and urine thats cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody.
- Kidney stones.Kidney stones are hard deposits of materials like calcium or uric acid that form in the kidneys. When they become lodged in the kidneys, they can cause pain in the abdomen, side, or back, as well as nausea and vomiting.
- Lower back pain. If low back pain is your primary symptom, you may have a condition thats affecting your lower back. Examples include injuries, degenerative disc disease, and nerve compression.
- Pregnancy. Symptoms like frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramping can all be early signs of pregnancy.
Its always a good rule of thumb to seek medical attention if you experience any new or concerning symptoms. A healthcare professional can work with you to determine what may be causing them.
Heres an idea of what you can expect when you seek care for a possible kidney infection.
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What Do The Kidneys Do
The kidneys, along with the bladder and ureters, are a part of the urinary tract. These fist-sized organs perform a variety of functions to maintain homeostasis in the body. Each kidney contains one million nephrons, which are the kidneys main functional cells.
The kidneys regulate water balance, activate hormones, and filter the blood up to 60 times per day. Products of metabolism, including ammonia, uric acid, urea, creatinine, and hormone metabolites, are eliminated through the kidneys once theyve been filtered through the liver.
Hormones are produced in the kidneys that regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and activate vitamin D, which plays a vital role in calcium absorption. Osmolarity, pH, and electrolyte balance are regulated by the kidneys to maintain extracellular fluid and to prevent the blood from becoming too acidic or alkaline. Approximately 1/2 cup of blood is filtered through the kidneys every minute.
Toxins are excreted through the kidneys via three mechanisms: Passive diffusion through the distal tubules, glomeruli filtration, and processes that actively transport toxins from the blood into the urine. Kidney function can be reduced by compromised blood flow, dysfunctions in the mitochondria, and an overload of toxicity stemming from poor gut function and exposure to industrialized chemicals. Heavy metals are particularly toxic to the kidneys.
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What Are Common Causes Of Kidney Pain
There are many common causes of kidney pain. They are:
- Hemorrhage In The Kidneys
When the blood is released from the vessel wall in the kidney due to damage to blood vessels, hemorrhage will occur. It leads to the pain in the kidney.
- Kidney Stones
This is a common cause of serious kidney pain in the lower back and abdomen. When the kidneys are impaired, wastes such as uric acid or excess calcium, which is not removed from the body, accumulate in the body and then forming stones. These stones are trapped in the ureter, blocking the flow of urine, and causing swelling of the kidneys and severe kidney failure. The process of the formation of kidney stones has no obvious symptoms. Therefore, patients often do not think that they have kidney stones. It is only when the stones cause severe pain or are passed into the urine. Kidney stones are a common disease today, due to the habit of sitting a lot, afraid to drink water, taking medication or calcium supplements, etc. Patients should seek medical attention immediately when having the first signs of kidney stones to treat it promptly.
- Blood Clots In The Renal Veins
- Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is a type of urinary tract infection, caused by bacteria. When bacteria enter, it usually causes inflammation and kidney pain. People with kidney stones are at higher risk for kidney disease.
- Osteoarthritis
- Kidney Cancer
- Kidney Infection
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Arteriosclerosis
- Kidney Failure
What Are Symptoms Of Kidney Pain?
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When To See A Doctor For Your Kidney Infection
You need to see your doctor for treatment if the following symptoms appear:
- Constant dull pain on one side of your back or hip.
- Experiencing fatigue, fever and body aches.
- A recent urinary tract infection.
- You need to go to the hospital for kidney stone pain, if the pain is getting worse comes sudden, regardless of having blood or not in the urine.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Flushing bacteria from the kidneys is an important goal when a person has a kidney infection. Drinking at least six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day can help, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .
If a person has kidney failure, they may need to decrease this amount of fluid based on their doctors recommendations.
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From Wrong To Worse: Infection And Disease
Two of the most common kidney problems are infections and kidney stones.
Technically, kidney infection is a form of urinary tract infection resulting from E. coli bacteria gaining access to the urinary tract and connecting with the kidneys. This form of infection is common and generally treated with antibiotics.
Kidney stones, on the other hand, are solid, chemical deposits that form inside the kidneyoften due to dehydration. A kidney stone can be nearly invisible to the naked eye, as large as a marble, or bigger.
Tiny kidney stones pass out of the body in the urine, so youre never aware of those. Larger kidney stones, however, can become lodged in the ureter, a thin tube connecting the kidneys and the bladder.
When they become stuck, these stones can cause severe pain in the side or back, blood in the urine, and difficulty urinating.
It can take days or even weeks for a kidney stone to pass on its own. So, if youre experiencing kidney stone symptoms, see a health care professional as soon as possible.
Improving Your Kidney Function Can Be Simple
So you see for many, improving kidney function doesnt need to be difficult. In most cases, simply by stepping to the side and getting out of your own way, checking your thoughts, fears, and excuses at the door, you can catalyse massive changes in your health, by simply allowing the healing to take place.
Rubbing Lanterns Wont Help Improve Your Kidney Function, But Heres What Can
Now stay with me I am not saying that that you can cure all by thinking just happy thoughts, wishing, and getting out of the way, no definitely not. There are many practical things you can do every day, with little to no fuss that are very effective in helping increase kidney function. Very helpful indeed.
Note: thinking positive however sure wont hurt, in fact it will go a long way your mindset is the single biggest determining factor on how quickly you heal.
So in tune with todays theme of simplicity, I would like to share with you 10 effortless tips that can be applied immediately to help your kidney function, no need to leave home, and no need to spend a dime.
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Tips To Relieve Kidney Pain Naturally
Written byMohan GarikiparithiPublished onNovember 24, 2016
To recognize that the pain youre experiencing is kidney pain, its important to understand where the kidneys are located. Your kidneys are located in the upper abdominal area against the back muscles on the left and right sides. Kidney pain is different from back pain. It is often experienced deeper and higher beneath the ribs whereas back pain is commonly felt in the lower back.
There are numerous causes for kidney pain such as kidney stones, urinary tract infection, and trauma to the kidneys, to name a few.
Symptoms that may accompany kidney pain include painful urination, fever, flank pain, nausea, and vomiting.
If youve been stricken with kidney pain, the tips below will help you achieve relief through natural means. Its important, though, that you bring your kidney pain to your doctors attention because the underlying cause can be quite serious. These natural remedies can be used in combination with your treatment for better pain relief.