How Do You Prevent A Kidney Infection
If your dog has a condition that would have them more likely to develop a kidney infection, as soon as any symptoms are noticed, take them to your vet right away. Most dogs with kidney infections, if caught early and treated properly, can quickly and fully recover. If you do not treat a kidney infection right away, this can develop kidney failure.
Most Common Reasons For Kidney Infection In Women
Its a prevalent misconception that kidney illness affects both men and women equally. Perhaps they arent prejudiced against women. However, statistics suggest that women are more likely than men to have chronic renal disease. The cause is most likely a lack of knowledge about the factors that increase the risk of chronic renal disease in women. Kidney disorders come in various forms, each of which might be caused by a distinct reason or cause. The kidneys are a pair of crucial organs in the body that serve to keep the blood clean and perform several vital activities. The majority of kidney diseases are caused by an attack on the nephrons, which causes them to lose their filtering abilities.
Whenever you have a kidney disorder or disease, you must immediately consult the doctor. Whether you are taking allopathic medicine or taking kidney failure treatment in Ayurveda, you must take care of your diet apart from medications. Ayurveda is an ancient treatment methodology that treats the disease from the roots and does not cause any side effects also.
Kidney problems become significant and visible after a lengthy period of time since this process takes so long. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of renal issues in women. Lets take a closer look at these and other factors:
How To Prevent A Kidney Infection
Preventing a kidney infection is really all about preventing urinary tract infections and getting prompt treatment if you ever get one. Sorry, but dont rely on cranberry juice or supplements for thisthe science is far too mixed to consider either of these a definitive UTI-prevention method. Instead, whenever you feel a bladder infection coming on, make it a habit to drink enough water every day to stay hydrated. That will ensure youre peeing often enough to help flush out bacteria that could lead to an infection. The NIDDK recommends peeing as often as you get the urge, but definitely at least every three to four hours, since urine hanging out in your bladder for too long may help bacteria to grow, the organization says.
Kaufman also stresses the importance of urinating like a fire hose after sex. It might even be helpful to skip peeing before sex as long as that doesnt make you uncomfortable, he says. This allows you to build up a forceful stream that may better help remove any bacteria that might have been pushed up there during sex.
Also, we referenced this above, but its important to reiterate: After you pee , you should be sure to wipe from front to back, as wiping back to front can spread harmful bacteria from your rectum to your urethra, where it can cause an infection.
Recommended Reading: Can Kidney Transplant Patients Eat Ginger
Alternative And Complementary Therapies
There are no effective alternative or complementary methods or therapies for curing a kidney infection.
But there may be ways you can increase your comfort while being treated with antibiotics, such as placing a heating pad on your abdomen, back, or side to ease any pain in those areas.
Drinking plenty of fluids can also help flush the bacteria causing the infection from your system.
And getting plenty of rest will help in your recovery from the infection.
Medical History And Physical Exam
At your doctors appointment, youll be asked about the symptoms youve been experiencing recently: what they are, how theyve changed, and how long youve noticed them.
Youll also be asked about your history of health conditions, such as:
- A UTI within the last year
- Pregnancy
- Use of a catheter to help empty your bladder
During your physical exam, youll have your temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate taken. A fever, elevated heart rate, and low blood pressure can all be signs of an infection.
Your doctor will examine your abdomen and back for signs of redness, swelling, or tenderness.
Your doctor will also perform a maneuver called angle percussion, which consists of gently tapping the area of your back where your kidneys are located underneath.
This maneuver disturbs any inflamed tissue around your kidneys, causing pain if you have a kidney infection.
If youre a woman, your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to look for signs of inflammation or tenderness associated with a UTI.
If youre a man, your doctor may perform a digital rectal exam. In this procedure, youll be asked to expose your buttocks and bend over a table, or lie on your side while holding your knees close to your chest.
Your doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your anus to feel for a swollen or enlarged prostate.
You May Like: Ginger Tea For Kidneys
How Is A Kidney Infection Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam, and likely run some diagnostic tests. Those include a urinalysis, to check your pee under a microscope for bacteria and white blood cells, which your body makes to fight infection, and a urine culture to help find out what kind of bacteria is causing the infection, the NIDDK says. Your doctor may even take a blood sample to check for bacteria or other organisms in your blood, the Mayo Clinic says.
Other tests that might come up include an ultrasound, a CT scan, or a form of X-ray called a voiding cystourethrogram, which involves injecting a contrast dye to take X-rays of your bladder when its full and while youre peeing, per the Mayo Clinic.
Medication Options For Kidney Infection
Your doctor will decide what antibiotic to prescribe, and for how long, based on your symptoms and the results of your urine tests. Your doctor may start you on one medication right away, but change it later if your urine test results indicate that a different antibiotic will be more effective.
Drugs taken by mouth for kidney infection include:
All of these drugs and others may be considered for IV treatment if you need to be hospitalized for a severe kidney infection.
Read Also: Is Watermelon Good For The Kidneys
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.
What Is Kidney Infection
Also known under medical term as pyelonephritis, it is the term used to describe the problem which is triggered by infection from bacteria. This germ tends to go all the way from the urinary tract, bladder, and urethra toward to kidneys. This problem can occur on either one or both of your kidneys. When it comes to , read more atHome Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection.
Worse than thought, kidney infection is just one of many types of infections surrounded by . Below are some common infections youre likely to suffer:
- Bladder infection
- Kidney infection
Recommended Reading: Is Ginger Good For Kidneys
When Should You Go To The Hospital For A Kidney Infection
Kidney infection is a potentially hazardous illness. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent potentially permanent loss of kidney function. If you notice kidney infection symptoms such as pain in your side, fever, or nausea, see a doctor immediately. If you canât make an appointment with your regular doctor, do not hesitate to visit urgent care or an emergency room.
What Can I Do To Help Prevent My Child From Getting A Kidney Infection
If you suspect your child has a UTI, get them prompt medical treatment to help prevent the UTI from turning into a kidney infection. Here are some tips for preventing UTIs.
While preventative antibiotics have been found to reduce the number of recurrent UTIs, there isnt any evidence that their use decreases the risk of kidney infection or scarring. Uncircumcised boys that are less than one year old are ten times more likely to get UTIs than circumcised boys, but by age two the risk decreases and circumcision does not have an effect on infection rates.
Also Check: Is Ginger Good For Kidney Patients
Other Reasons That Cause Kidney Infection In Women
So there you have it: the risk factors for renal disease in women. If you are a woman experiencing any of these health problems, we recommend that you do not ignore them and seek medical advice. It may not seem obvious, but these health concerns require a thorough examination by a physician. If you have a kidney issue or disease, you should see a doctor every once. If you are taking kidney failure treatment in Ayurveda, you must watch your diet in addition to taking meds. Ayurveda is an ancient therapy practice that addresses the ailment at its source and has no negative side effects.
Latest Posts
Complications Of Kidney Infections
Most kidney infections are treated successfully without complications, although some people may develop further problems.
Complications of a kidney infection are rare, but you’re more likely to develop them if you:
- are a child
- rapid heartbeat
- breathlessness
Blood poisoning is a medical emergency that usually requires admission to a hospital intensive care unit while antibiotics are used to fight the infection.
If you’re taking certain medications for diabetes, such as metformin or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, they may be temporarily withdrawn until you recover. This is because they can cause kidney damage during an episode of blood poisoning.
Don’t Miss: How Much Is Kidney Worth
How Is Kidney Infection Diagnosed
A kidney infection is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and the results of urine tests, indicating bacteria in your urinary tract.
Your doctor will likely ask about your health history and any conditions that might place you at higher risk of a kidney infection, such as having an enlarged prostate gland or a medical condition that can cause urinary retention, such as multiple sclerosis.
Sometimes a doctor will order imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or computerized tomography scan, to look for signs of swelling or other abnormalities in your kidneys or bladder.
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:
Read Also: Are Blackberries Good For Kidneys
What Is The Outlook For Kidney Infections
With treatment, the outlook for kidney infections is very positive. It is vital that you take all of any prescribed medications for the infection. You may begin feeling better shortly after beginning a treatment, but still need to take the entire prescribed treatment.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/22/2019.
References
- National Kidney Foundation. Urinary Tract Infections Accessed 5/23/19.
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases . Pyelonephritis: Kidney Infection Accessed 5/23/19.
What Causes Kidney Infections
A kidney infection is caused by a bacterial infection that moves from your dog’s bladder up the ureters, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The most common bacteria that are seen in kidney infections are E. coli and Staphylococcus. Other bacteria such as Proteus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and pseudomonas can also cause bladder infection and can be seen in dogs with kidney infections.
Don’t Miss: Stds That Affect Kidneys
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.
Take An Epsom Salt Bath
Both Epsom salts and warm water can ease pain. This can help make the uncomfortable side effects of the kidney infection a little more tolerable while you wait for the antibiotics to take effect.
Since abdominal pain is sometimes a symptom of antibiotics, as well as kidney infections, Epsom salts could also help even after symptoms from the kidney infection are resolved.
You May Like: Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Kidneys
Key Points About Kidney Infection
|
See your GP or go to the nearest emergency department immediately if you or someone you care for experiences any of these symptoms, as they may indicate sepsis: |
|
Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what to do. Ask Could this be ? If you have been given antibiotics and are feeling worse or have more of the symptoms above, contact your GP or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait until the morning. |
How Long Does A Uti Last
Save Money On Absorbent Products! Check Out These Offers From Our Trusted Partners.
If you have a UTI, its best to get it treated right away before any complications develop . Its possible for a UTI to get better on its own, but most of the time, it wont. While home remedies can help ease some of the discomfort, a doctor can prescribe you an antibiotic that is a much quicker and more effective treatment. An antibiotic will start working immediately and, depending on how complicated your UTI is, may clear it up in a matter of days. Be sure to always take your medication how your doctor prescribes.
Also Check: Liver Transplant Tattoo Ideas
How Do You Know When A Uti Becomes A Kidney Infection
The symptoms of a UTI include pain when urinating, abdominal pain above the pubic area, frequent need to urinate, and bad-smelling, cloudy, or bloody urine. If the infecting bacteria migrates up to the kidney, additional symptoms may include flank pain, lower back pain, fever, and maybe chills and nausea. If you have a lower urinary system infection and begin to notice pain on your sides or you have a fever over 100 degrees, itâs time to see a doctor.
Drink Lots Of Liquid Especially Water
Liquids can help flush bacteria from the urinary system. Water is best. Most healthy people should try to drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of liquid each day. If you need to drink less water because of other health conditions, such as bladder control problems, kidney failure or heart disease, ask your health care provider how much liquid is healthy for you.
Recommended Reading: Is Aleve Bad For Kidneys
Avoid Alcohol And Coffee
The kidneys most important role is to filter out harmful substances and toxins, and both alcohol and caffeine can require extra work from the kidneys. This may hinder the process of healing from an infection. Alcohol and antibiotics also shouldnt be mixed, so avoid alcohol during your treatment for this reason as well.
Kidney Stones And Food
If you have kidney stones, that can lead to a kidney infection, Harvard Health reports. There are some dietary changes you can make if you think food is the cause of your kidney stone. If you get a kidney stone, you should check with your doctor in order to get the best prescription for treatment.
There are some foods to avoid for kidney health if you are prone to kidney stones, however. You should discuss these options with your doctor first. According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors recommend the following dietary changes to prevent future kidney stones:
- Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods if you are prone to calcium oxalate stones. These include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate and soy foods.
- Eat a diet low in salt and animal protein. Consider using a salt substitute and getting your protein from legumes and other plant-based sources.
- Use caution with calcium supplements. The calcium in food, on the other hand, doesn’t affect your risk of kidney stones. Again, check with your doctor if you take calcium supplements.
- Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian who can develop an eating plan that will reduce your risk of developing kidney stones.
Read more:How Protein and Ketones are Linked to Kidney Stones
You May Like: Kidney Apple Cider Vinegar