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How To Treat Aching Kidneys

How To Treat Kidney Stones At Home

Kidney & Bladder Health : How to Treat a Kidney Infection

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Kidney stones can be painful. While some kidney stones are small and pass harmlessly out of the body, others can lead to complications like infections and kidney damage.

In some cases, it may be ok to treat kidney stones at home. It depends on whether the kidney stone is blocking the urinary tract and how much pain its causing.

Kidney Pain Vs Back Pain

It’s easy to confuse kidney pain for just back pain. How do you know the difference?

Location. It could be your kidney and not your back if you feel it higher on your back. Back problems usually affect your lower back.

Kidney pain is felt higher and deeper in your body than back pain. You may feel it in the upper half of your back, not the lower part. Unlike back discomfort, it’s felt on one or both sides, usually under your rib cage.

It’s often constant. It probably won’t go away when you shift your body. With your back, it might lessen when you adjust your position.

Signs that it’s your back

Back pain:

  • Shoots down one leg
  • Is more likely to be stabbing than dull and constant
  • Gets worse or flares up when you do certain activities, like lifting a box or bending over
  • When you rest or lie down, back pain may ease up
  • Might also be muscle aches

Other symptoms to watch for

Depending on the cause of the pain, you could have other symptoms too. If you have these signs, contact your doctor. You could have a serious kidney problem:

  • Fever
  • Body aches
  • Tiredness

Also, if you recently had a urinary tract infection , call your doctor. If you have blood in your urine, or if your pain is sudden and unbearable even without signs of blood in your pee, get medical care right away.

How Do I Know If Analgesics Have Affected My Kidneys

Your doctor can check your kidneys by doing a simple blood test called a serum creatinine level. This test measures the amount of a waste product in your blood that is normally removed by your kidneys. If your kidneys are not working as well as they should, the creatinine level will be increased in your blood. The results of the serum creatinine test can be used to estimate your glomerular filtration rate . Your GFR number tells your doctor how much kidney function you have.

A urine test for the presence of protein may also be done. Persistent protein in the urine may be an early indication of kidney damage.

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What Procedures And Tests Diagnose Kidney Infections In Men And Women

The most important test in diagnosing kidney infection is a urinalysis . Urinalysis is a test to analyze urine sample and evaluate for an infection in the urine. Urinalysis is done by collecting a clean catch, midstream urine in a sterile collection cup. The urine may be analyzed by the doctor in the office using or by analysis in a laboratory.

Because urine is normally sterile, any finding suggesting an infection may be considered abnormal and supportive of a kidney infection.

Kidney Infection Risk Factors

10 Effective Home Remedies To Treat Kidney Pain

Anyone can get a kidney infection. But just as women get more bladder infections than men, they also get more kidney infections.

A womanâs urethra is shorter than a manâs, and itâs closer to their vagina and anus. That means itâs easier for bacteria or viruses to get into a womanâs urethra, and once they do, itâs a shorter trip to the bladder. From there, they can spread to the kidneys.

Pregnant women are even more likely to get bladder infections. This is because of hormone changes and because a baby puts pressure on the motherâs bladder and ureters and slows the flow of urine.

Any problem in your urinary tract that keeps pee from flowing as it should can raise your chances of a kidney infection, such as:

  • A blockage in your urinary tract, like a kidney stone or enlarged prostate
  • Conditions that keep your bladder from completely emptying
  • A problem in the structure of your urinary tract, like a pinched urethra
  • Vesicoureteral reflux , which is when pee flows backward from your bladder toward your kidneys

Youâre also more likely to get an infection if you have:

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How Are Acute Kidney Infections Treated

Children are typically given oral antibiotics to take at home. However, if the infection is advanced, a child may receive intravenous antibiotics in the hospital. Staying well hydrated is an extremely important part of treatment, and children should drink plenty of fluids during and after treatment. There is evidence that good hydration during recovery may help reduce long-term kidney damage.

What Causes Kidney Pain

Kidneys drain urine to the bladder via tubes called ureters. Your bladder is emptied via the urethra. Problems in any of these areas can cause pain, and may be caused by:

If you have had kidney stones in the past, it may not always be necessary to have a computed tomography scan, which exposes you to radiation. Ask your doctor if a CT scan is necessary for you. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

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Tips To Deal With Chronic Kidney Pain

  • If you drink less water, then increase your water intake daily. Drink other fluids as well.
  • Kidney pain can also be reduced by drinking green tea.
  • Drinking basil juice mixed with water is also beneficial. Especially, when there is pain due to kidney stones.
  • Drinking lemon water also reduces pain.
  • If you have pain in the lower part of the abdomen and waist, then you can also compress with a hot water bag.
  • Include citrus fruits in the diet.
  • Consume parsley and cranberry juices.

Can Kidney Infection Be Prevented

How to Identify and Treat Kidney Stones

Most kidney infections are caused by germs travelling up from a bladder infection. So the same things that can help to reduce your chances of bladder infection should reduce your chances of kidney infection. Traditionally, people who got recurring urine infections were advised about measures such as drinking plenty of fluid and taking cranberry juice, and on the way that they wiped themselves after going to the toilet. However, there is little evidence for any of these measures and they are now not usually advised. Anything which increases your risk of urine infections which can be treated, should be treated. For example, any constipation should be treated promptly, as constipation can increase your chances of a bladder or kidney infection. See the separate leaflet called Constipation for more details. Doctors will try to treat anything else which might be contributing, such as kidney stones or an abnormality in the structure of the urinary system.

Pregnant women are regularly tested for urine infections and for germs in their urine. Even if they don’t have symptoms, if urine tests positive for germs, pregnant women are usually treated with antibiotics to prevent any complications.

In some cases people who have recurring urine infections are treated with a low dose of antibiotic continually. This may help to prevent recurrences and to prevent spread to the kidney.

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Are There Tests To Diagnose The Cause Of Kidney Pain

If you experience kidney pain, your healthcare provider typically will order lab tests to check for abnormalities in your blood or urine. Imaging tests will also be used to visualize the kidneys indirectly.

Other specialist procedures may directly visualize the kidneys or obtain tissue samples via a biopsy if cancer is suspected.

Lifestyle And Home Remedies For Kidney Pain:

How to get rid of kidney pain at home? Here are some effective home remedies that are natural, safe and affordable, without any side effects.

You may want to try:

  • Heat A heating pad on your abdomen, back or side can help to relieve the symptoms of kidney pain
  • Hydration Staying hydrated can help ease kidney pain. Drink plenty of water, but do avoid alcohol and caffeine.
  • Pain Relief The natural home remedies below can provide pain relief, ease and treat the cause of the kidney pain, while healing, and promoting healthy kidney function.

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Treating Pain In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review Of The Literature

Patients with chronic kidney disease often suffer from chronic pain. It may be difficult to select appropriate analgesic therapy in this population because many patients require complex medication management for the comorbidities that accompany renal disease. A reduced glomerular filtration rate alters the normal pharmacokinetics of analgesic medications and increases the potential for toxicity, undesirable side effects, and drug interactions. Appropriate analgesic selection, dose titration, and monitoring are critical for the successful management of this population.

Who Is At Risk Of Kidney Pain

Kidney stone pain relief

There are other different causes of kidney infections and other kidney problems, including the cases that block urine from flowing naturally like the formation of kidney stones or enlarged prostate. Pregnancy can also result in kidney infection because the baby can prevent the urine process due to pressure exerted by the fetus.

Some people are also prone to kidney infections and contribute to issues relating to the kidney function if they have hypertension, high levels of uric acid, diabetes, glomerulonephritis and hereditary diseases like a congenital urinary disease, lupus erythematosus, Alport syndrome, congestion, systemic, polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic or prostate cancer.

People using long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and some antibiotics can result in kidney pain. These conditions can also lead to kidney disease and eventually to kidney failure if not adequately treated.

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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.

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.

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How Will I Know If I Have A Kidney Infection

To find out if you have a kidney infection, doctors may do tests such as:

  • Urine tests to look for bacteria or other signs of infection, such as white blood cells, in your urine
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests to look at your kidneys, such as an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan
  • Rectal exam for men, where the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus to see if the prostate gland is enlarged and blocks the flow of urine

What Is The Function Of The Kidneys

How to Treat Kidney Stones

The excess waste products and excess fluid are removed when the kidneys produce urine that is excreted from the body. Moreover, the kidneys play an important role in the regulation of the body’s salt, potassium, and acid content.

The kidneys also produce hormones that stimulate the production of red blood cells that help regulate blood pressure and help control calcium and electrolyte metabolism in the body.

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When To See Your Doctor

Kidney pain is almost always a sign that something is wrong with your kidney. You should see your doctor as soon as possible to determine whats causing your pain.

If the condition that has caused kidney pain isnt treated promptly and appropriately, your kidneys can stop working, which is called kidney failure.

Its especially important to see your doctor right away if your pain is severe and started suddenly because this is often caused by a serious problem such as renal vein thrombosis or bleeding into your kidney that needs emergency treatment.

Related Resources For Kidney Infection

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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

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Causes And Risk Factors

In general, the causes among these common kidney problems are the same, which are mainly:

  • Dehydration
  • Family history
  • Prior medical conditions and previous surgeries

However, UTIs have very specific risk factors:

  • Being a woman
  • Being sexually active
  • Having a catheter
  • Having a diaphragm or use of spermicides for birth control

Most AKIs also occur as a complication from another serious illness or severe infection such as sepsis.

Prevention Of Kidney Pain

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If you have persistent pain on both sides of the abdomen and are seeing the above-mentioned symptoms, then it is important to consult a doctor at the right time to avoid any serious condition.

Kidney pain can sometimes be mild, sometimes very severe. The intensity of pain depends on its cause.

The pain can also intensify due to kidney stones or any infection. By starting the treatment at the right time, any serious disease related to the kidney can be avoided.

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Kidney Infection Back Pain

Kidney infections can cause pain in your mid back , on one side, or under your ribs. The pain may also radiate to your lower abdomen or inner thighs. Since pain is a subjective sensation, it could feel dull, sharp, throbbing, or like pressure.

An over-the-counter pain reliever can help you manage the pain. Just keep in mind that it wont cure the infection itself.

Kidney infections are less common in #TeamPeen. But they can still happen.

You might experience:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • cloudy, bloody, or smelly urine

A doctor might give you a digital rectal exam to see if a swollen prostate is to blame.

Urine or blood tests may also be recommended if a swollen prostate is a possibility.

What Are Nsaids Are They Safe To Take

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a specific group of pain relievers. Some NSAIDs are available over the counter. This includes different brands of ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and ketoprofen.

NSAIDs are usually safe for occasional use when taken as directed, but if you have known decreased kidney function, they should be avoided. These medications should only be used under a doctor’s care by patients with kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or liver disease or by people who are over 65 or who take diuretic medications. NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of sudden kidney failure and even progressive kidney damage.

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When To Seek Medical Advice

Contact your GP if you have a high temperature, persistent pain, or if you notice a change to your usual pattern of urination. Contact your GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection.

If you have blood in your urine, you should always see your GP so the cause can be investigated.

Kidney infections require prompt treatment with antibiotics to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications developing.

Your GP can carry out some simple tests to help diagnose a kidney infection.

See diagnosing kidney infections for more information

What Does Kidney Pain Feel Like

how to stop kidney pain

Your kidneys are fist-sized organs shaped like beans that are located at the back of the middle of your trunk, in the area called your flank. They are under the lower part of your ribcage on the right and left sides of your backbone.

Their main job is to filter waste out of your blood and produce urine to remove that waste along with extra fluid from your body.

When your kidney hurts, it usually means theres something wrong with it. Its important to determine whether your pain is coming from your kidney and or from somewhere else so that you receive the right treatment.

Because there are muscles, bones, and other organs around your kidney, its sometimes hard to tell if its your kidney or something else causing your pain. However, the type and location of the pain and other symptoms you are having can help point to your kidney as the source of your pain.

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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

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