Are Home Remedies Effective For A Bladder Infection
People have used cranberry products to prevent bladder infections. Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent bacteria from sticking on the walls of the bladder. A Cochrane Database systematic review of cranberries for preventing UTIs in 2012 concluded that the evidence for cranberry products, particularly cranberry juice, over the long term is small and that cranberry juice could not be recommended at that time for the prevention of UTIs. Further studies need to evaluate other cranberry preparations.
Probiotics are preparations that contain live bacteria, for example, lactobacillus, that can prevent other bacteria from growing and moving up from the bladder to the kidney. The probiotic decreases the ability of the infecting bacteria from sticking to the bladder and growing and may also affect the ability of the individual’s own body to fight off bacteria. A Cochrane Database review in 2015 demonstrated no significant difference in the risks of recurrent UTIs for probiotics compared with placebo or antibiotic prophylaxis in either women or children, however, there were a limited number of good-quality studies.
Adhering to the prescribed antibiotic regimen and staying well hydrated are essential components of home remedies for bladder infection.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Kidney Infection
Signs and symptoms of a kidney infection include those of a lower urinary tract infection including painful and frequent urination as well as:
- Fever and chills
- Pain in the lower back or sides
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cloudy or smelly urine
- Dark or bloody urine
In people ages 65 and older, the above signs and symptoms of kidney infection may not occur. Instead, these individuals may experience confusion, hallucinations, or difficulty speaking.
In newborns and very young children, the only sign of a kidney infection may be a high fever.
Who Is More Likely To Get A Kidney Infection
Anyone can get a kidney infection, but it is more common in some people, such as:
- Women: A woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s. Having a shorter urethra makes it easier for bacteria to get into the urinary tract. The urethra is also closer to the anus in women. Bacteria can spread from the anus or vagina into the urethra, and then travel up the urinary tract. Pregnant women are even more likely to have a kidney infection.
- People with diabetes
- People with a weakened immune system: This could be caused by a disease, such as diabetes or HIV, or by certain medicines called immunosuppressives. People who have had a kidney transplant or other organ transplant take immunosuppressives.
- People who have nerve or spinal cord damage that keeps them from feeling pain in and around their urinary tract: This can keep them from noticing symptoms of a bladder infection, which can lead to a kidney infection.
- People who use a catheter to drain urine from their bladder
- People with vesicoureteral reflux : People with VUR have urinary tracts that allow urine to flow backwards from the bladder to the kidneys.
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Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections
Anyone can get a urinary tract infection, but they are more common in women. This is because the urethra in females is shorter and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common. Older adults also are at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. There are several medical conditions that can be related to this, including an enlarged prostate or a bladder prolapse .
If you get frequent urinary tract infections, your healthcare provider may do tests to check for other health problems such as diabetes or an abnormal urinary systemthat may be contributing to your infections. People with frequent UTIs are occasionally given low-dose antibiotics for a period of time to prevent the infection from coming back. This cautious approach to treating frequent UTIs is because your body can develop a resistance to the antibiotic and you can get other types of infections, such as C. diff colitis. This practice is used very infrequently.
When Will I Begin To Feel Better
Once you start treatment, you should start to feel better in a few days.
Can I have sex while being treated for a kidney infection?After you have started treatment and your symptoms have gone away, it is usually safe to have sex. Remember to urinate after sex to avoid getting more bacteria in your urinary tract.
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Use Your Health Insurance Just Like You Normally Would To See Your Doctor
During your UTI treatment, you can take steps to ensure that you get the maximum effect out of your antibiotics while promoting your own comfort.
- Use a heating pad on your abdomen to soothe any pain and discomfort and relieve pressure.
- Drink plenty of water to help flush out the bacteria in your urinary tract.
- Avoid any food and drink that may irritate your urinary system. This includes coffee, alcohol, and sugary sodas that contain citrus juice or caffeine.
Prevention And Treatment Of Kidney Infection
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Antibiotics
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Occasionally surgery
Antibiotics are started as soon as the doctor suspects pyelonephritis and samples have been taken for laboratory tests. The choice of drug or its dosage may be modified based on the laboratory test results , how sick the person is, and whether the infection started in the hospital, where bacteria tend to be more resistant to antibiotics. Other factors that can alter the choice or dosage of drug include whether the person’s immune system is impaired and whether the person has a urinary tract abnormality , including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Blockage can be complete… read more ).
Outpatient treatment with antibiotics given by mouth is usually successful if the person has:
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No nausea or vomiting
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No signs of dehydration
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How Is Kidney Infection Diagnosed
Kidney infection may be diagnosed by a physician by performing a complete physical examination and taking a detailed medical history. The evaluation includes checking the vital signs , assessing for signs of dehydration, and checking for tenderness on the mid and lower back. In young, female patients a pelvic exam may also be necessary to evaluate for pelvic infection . A pregnancy test may also be performed.
Urinalysis test is essential for the diagnosis of kidney infection. The urine sample must be properly collected. The urethra needs to be wiped clean properly before the sample is collected in order to avoid contamination of urine by the bacteria on the skin around the urethra. The initial stream of urine is preferably voided in the toilet before the collecting urine in the provided container. This is called the mid-stream, clean-catch urine. After an appropriate amount of urine is collected in the container, the remaining urine may also be voided in toilet.
A urinalysis suggestive of an infection in the urine in general, is highly suggestive and supportive of the diagnosis of kidney infection or urinary tract infection. A urine sample without evidence of urine infection makes kidney infection unlikely and another diagnosis may be considered.
Some Suggestions To Avoid A Kidney Infectionor Address The Early Warning Signs Of A Kidney Infection:
1. Drink lots of water. This helps to flush out the bad bacteria and can, in fact, clean out the urinary system. I know you have heard this before but here it is again. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
2. Cranberry juice is almost magical as a preventative remedy for UTIs and kidney infections. But one caution, drink pure cranberry juice or take a supplement rather than the sugar filled juices on your grocery store shelves.
3. Avoid alcohol and coffee. Yes they are tasty and help with your mood but theyrequire a great deal of extra work for the kidneys.
4. Take probiotics. They keep your bodys healthy bacteria well, healthy. Also, since antibiotics sometimes cause an unfortunate diarrhea side effect, probiotics can decrease that.
5. Use vitamin C. It is a powerful antioxidant which protects body tissues, thus promoting kidney health by preventing scarring and boosting enzymes within the kidneys.
6. Try drinking parsley juice, which is a diuretic that increases the frequency of urination, making natural antibiotics more effective. It has a very strong flavor so can be mixed with fruits in a smoothie.
7. Eat lots of apples. Their high acid content go hand in hand with the kidneys to maintain acidity in the urine, inhibiting further bacteria growth. Theiranti-inflammatory properties also help to heal an infection.
8. Epsom salt baths can ease the pain. As well they can help you to relax
13. Refrain from using scented bath products.
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Causes And Risk Factors Of A Kidney Infection
Kidney infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses that spread in your urinary tract, but bacterial infections are much more common.
In fact, about 90 percent of kidney infections are caused by a single type of bacteria, Eschericia coli, or E. coli, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The infection is thought to occur from bacteria that travel from your gastrointestinal tract to your skin surface, through your urethra to your bladder, then through the tubes that connect your bladder and kidneys.
Normally, urine flushes any potentially harmful bacteria out of your ureters before they can cause an infection. But sometimes this doesnt happen due to the following conditions:
- Structural abnormalities in your ureters or kidneys
- Enlarged prostate
- Urine backflow from your bladder to your kidneys
Its also possible for bacteria from your bloodstream to enter your kidneys and cause an infection. This happens most commonly with staphylococcus, or staph, bacteria.
Kidney infections that spread from your bloodstream tend to develop after surgery or as a consequence of another infection elsewhere in the body. For example, if an artificial joint or heart valve becomes infected, the kidneys can become secondarily infected.
Its very uncommon for kidney surgery to lead to a kidney infection.
A number of factors can increase your risk of developing a kidney infection:
This reduced urine flow can make it easier for bacteria in your bladder to migrate into your kidneys.
Seek Medical Attention For Utis
It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.
Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics.
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Preventing Urinary Tract Infections And Kidney Infections
Urinary tract infections and kidney infections can generally be prevented through similar means.
If you suffer from any symptoms of a urinary tract or kidney infection, talk to your doctor immediately. The faster you act, the more effective the treatment.
If you experience any symptoms of urinary tract infection or kidney infection, call or book online with PlushCare to set up a phone or video appointment with a top U.S. doctor today.
Best Supplements For Kidney Infection
Dr. Morses Cellular Botanicals Kidneys & Bladder II
LOVE IT I have gone through multiple bottles of this product! Not only does it help get the kidneys filtering, but it is also is a natural diuretic. Without good kidney filtration our bodies cant filter out our sedimentary wastebefore changing my diet and these herbsI was not filtering. Now I have great filtration and feel so much better! -Shirey from Florida on 3/11/2020
Boosts Kidney Filtration! I noticed after several days of detoxing and using the Kidney and Bladder Tonic ll by Dr.Morses Cellular Botanicals. The filtration and cleansing of the kidneys were boosted up phenomenally. -Jon M Frampton from Ottawa, Ontario on 9/22/2015
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Kidney Infection Symptoms Warning Signs & Early Symptoms
Infections of the urinary tract are probably the most common infections in women. This type of infection is divided into two subtypes: upper urinary tract infections and lower urinary tract infections. The latter is more common and includes infection to the urethra and urinary bladder, and the former is a bit less common and it is an infection of the kidneys. In the natural history of a kidney infection, it is commonly preceded by a lower urinary tract infection that colonized the bladder and worked its way upwards to the upper urinary tract. However, it is possible to have a bloodborne infection coming from any other infected area of the body.
Since upper and lower urinary tract infections usually coexist in the same patient, most of them display symptoms for both. However, if we have an isolated infection of the kidneys without any associated infection of the urinary bladder, the symptoms are different from a usual urinary infection.
In this article, we will give you a complete list of symptoms to help you detect an infection of the kidneys with and without an associated infection of your urinary bladder.
Im Pregnant How Will A Uti Affect My Baby
If you have a UTI and it isnt treated, it may lead to a kidney infection. Kidney infections may cause early labor. Fortunately, asymptomatic bacteriuria and bladder infections are usually found and treated before the kidneys become infected. If your doctor treats a urinary tract infection early and properly, it wont hurt your baby.
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Can I Give My Dog Cranberry Juice For A Urinary Tract Infection
Do not attempt to treat your dogs kidney infection without consulting your veterinarian. That being said, cranberry juice is safe if given in moderation. Vets strongly recommend dog owners provide cranberries as a supplement and not replace proven medical treatments.
Feeding large amounts of cranberries or cranberry juice to your dogs can cause bladder stones. Feed cranberries with your dog’s supplement or treat it under the guidance of your vet to avoid any risk.
How Serious Is A Uti
Urinary tract infections can be painful and uncomfortable, but they ultimately dont pose a serious threat to your health as long as you seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Read on to learn more about when urinary tract infections turn into kidney infections, the differences between the two, and what you can do to properly treat and prevent them.
Read: Get UTI Treatment Online
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The Symptoms Of Kidney Infections In Women
28 September, 2018
Because of womens anatomy, were more prone to kidney infections. Just a simple urinary tract infection can become complicated, travel to one of the kidneys, and cause the unpleasant consequences that some of us are unfortunate enough to already know about.
In this article, well take a look at the symptoms of kidney infections in women so you can be more prepared.
Where Are The Kidneys Located
The kidneys are located on either side of the body underneath the diaphragm near the lower back. Each kidney is connected to the bladder in the pelvis by ureters that drain the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine stored in the bladder is excreted from the body through the urethra. Collectively, these structures make up what is called the urinary tract.
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What About Kidney Stones Are They Involved Here Somehow
Sort of. A kidney stone isnt an infection, but a collection of salt and minerals that hardens and turns into a stone. While some stones may be small others can be much larger. They may stay in the kidney, or begin to move into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. When this happens, kidney stones can become extremely painful.
Kidney stones can be tricky, since they may have many of the same symptoms as a UTI or a kidney infection pain when urinating, needing to urinate often, and cloudy or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, fever, nausea or vomiting. And while stones often pass on their own, larger stones sometimes need to be broken up, or removed.
Sometimes, kidney stones can lead to a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection, so its important to get them checked out by your doctor. And, since the symptoms are so similar, getting a checkup is probably a good idea anyway just to rule out the possibility of an infection, and to make sure the stone is moving along as it should.
Signs Of A Kidney Infection
What does a kidney infection feel like? According to the NIDDK, the most common kidney infections symptoms are:
Nausea
Vomiting
But depending on a persons age, they may not experience all of these kidney infection symptoms. Children younger than two may only experience high fever as a sign of kidney infections, the NIDDK says, and people older than 65 might only present with cognitive issues, like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.
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Cause Of Kidney Infection
Approximately 37 million Americans have kidney diseases that may be life-threatening, yet most are not aware that they suffer from them.
The most common cause of a kidney infection is the entry of bacteria through the genitals and urethra into the urinary tract, multiplying and spreading to the kidneys.
Women have much shorter urethras than men, making them more susceptible to kidney infection.
There are other instances when the infection from other parts of your body spreads and infects your kidney however, these are uncommon.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti
One of the most common symptoms of a UTI is a frequent and urgent need to pee. You might feel like you need to pee all the time, even if you just went. Other UTI symptoms include:
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pain or burning when you pee
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bad-smelling or cloudy urine
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blood or pus in your urine
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soreness, pressure, or cramps in your lower belly, back, or sides
If the infection goes to your kidneys, your UTI symptoms may also include:
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pain in your mid-back
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fever
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