Kidneys are one of the crucial organs in our body that performs the function of excretion. They are primarily responsible for regulating various functions, like maintaining acid-base balance, leveling electrolytes balance, and also regulating blood pressure. Kidneys flush out waste products from the body in the form of feces and urine while straining and retaining useful components inside the body.
Due to many reasons, like eating habits and other body infections, the functioning and efficiency of kidneys get hampered. Sometimes malfunctioning may also result in terrible and unbearable pain in kidneys. In contrast to males, females are at more risk to get prone to a kidney infection. The pain is curable and can be treated with much efficiency at home itself.
What is a Kidney Infection?
A kidney infection or pyelonephritis is a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI). It is caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract and goes from the bladder into one or both kidneys. UTIs don’t pose a danger to your health if you follow remedies for a kidney infection and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Urine contains toxins leaves the kidneys through the ureter and to the bladder where it is stored. The collected urine is released through the urethra when you urinate. Infections happen when bacteria end up in the urethra and travel to the bladder.
Who Is At Risk Of Kidney Pain?
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.
What Are Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Pain?
Causes
- Bleeding inside kidney
- Tumor in kidney
- Urinary tract infection
- Blood coagulation in kidney veins
- Horseshoe kidney (where both kidneys fused together and form a horseshoe-like structure)
- Stone inside kidney
- Enlarged prostate
- Blocked or hindered the flow of urine
Symptoms
- Pain in the lower back
- Feverish feeling
- Shivering, accompanied by chills
- Feeling fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Burning sensation while urination
- Bleeding while urinating
- Foul smelling urine or often cloudy urine
- Bedwetting (generally in case of children)
- Pain in the lower abdomen
Home Remedies for Kidney Pain Infection
1. Water
Whenever you suffer from any kidney related disorder or pain, water is the foremost thing that can cure your disease. Water is really essential for your kidneys as it helps them flush toxins out of your body, effectively. It is highly recommended that you should consume at least 8-10 glasses of water in a day. Water is the simplest and one of the most effective natural home remedies for kidney infection.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon contains a plethora of citric acid, which is helpful in breaking down of calcium oxalate and calcium agglomerates inside kidneys. As you drink lemonade, you will pass urine more frequently and that is really good in flushing out toxins and also useful for people who have kidney stones.
3. Nettle Leaves
Nettle leaves are quintessential in making a smooth flow for water through both- bladder, as well as kidneys. They also promote smooth urination and are one of the most effective home remedies for kidney infection pain. They keep bacteria away and hinder crystals inside the body to take the shape of stones. Someone who is suffering from kidney pain should drink nettle tea at least 2-3 times a day for getting relief from kidney pain.
4. Whole Wheat Bread
One of the simplest remedies for kidney stones is whole wheat bread and having a high fiber diet. Whole wheat bread rich in nutrients, such as proteins, fibers, magnesium, etc. They promote well being of the kidneys while preventing the formation of oxalates inside them. Besides bread, one can also eat whole grain cereals, pasta, etc.
5. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are really effective in treating any kidney infection or pain, including kidney stones. Remove beans from inside the pods and boil pods on low flame for hours till they become tender and soft. Now, strain the liquid and allow it to cool down. Now, again strain it once again and drink it several times a day for beneficial results. Iron in kidney beans helps in blocking the formation of oxalates. It’s one of the best home remedies for kidney stone pain especially if its cooked as chili.
6. Basil
Basil is regarded as a superb tonic for kidney pain and infections. One, who is suffering from kidney-related pain or disorders, should consume a tablespoon of basil juice mixed with equal quantities of honey for effective results. The diuretic properties prevent the kidney’s ability to reabsorb sodium. The process enhances the loss of sodium and consequently water in the urine. However, the treatment should be carried for around 5 months to get the desired results.
7. Celery
Celery and celery seeds have got antiseptic properties and hence, drinking celery juice can be really pain relieving. The celery juice helps in eliminating out the toxins from the body that causes the formation of oxalates. Besides, it is also a diuretic, which helps in breaking down the existing stone in the kidney.
8. Pomegranates
Pomegranate juice and seeds can be beneficial in treating kidney pain and infections. Pomegranates have astringent properties, and hence, they can be really helpful in the treatment of kidney stones. Besides, they are extremely hydrating, so one should consume at least a glass of pomegranate juice every day or should eat one pomegranate daily to keep kidney-related problems at bay.
9. Watermelon
Watermelon is rich in potassium and is useful in removing stones that are composed of phosphates and carbonates. They also regulate the level of acidity in urine. Besides, watermelon is one such fruit that contains the highest level of water concentration and thus, can be really effective in hydrating your body, flushing out the waste products and is considered an excellent home remedy for kidney infection back pain.
10. Tomato Juice
Drink a glass of tomato juice before you consume anything else, followed with a glass of water. It will help you in getting relief from the pain. You can also chop tomatoes and wrap them in a thick cotton cloth. Place it on the patient’s back for relieving him/her from the pain.
11. Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is yet another effective method that subsides pain, related to kidneys. Mix equal quantities of olive oil (virgin) and lemon juice and drink it up. Although, it will taste awful but is worth an effort to get the desired results.
12. Warm Compress
Put a warm compress on the aching area. It will decrease the kidney pain.
13. Dandelion Root Tea
If you are looking for a herbal remedy to get rid of kidney pain, dandelion root tea is the best. Dandelion root tea acts as a diuretic and cleanses the kidney, thereby relieving you from the pain.
Homeopathic Medicines for Kidney Pain
1. Aconite
This one is useful in case of acute pain. Urine passed by the patient is hot and sparse. Urine might have traces of blood and patient perspires profusely.
2. Arnica
This remedy is prescribed when a patient witnesses a brick colored segment in his urine, which is accompanied by painful urination.
3. Belladonna
It is useful in the treatment of bloody urine. Urine is scanty, cloudy and often painful to pass. The patient might also experience sensitivity in the upward region of the bladder.
4. Berberis vulgaris
It is prescribed to those patients, who complain frequent urge to pass the urine even after they have passed urine completely. Urine contains mucus and sediments, and there is often a bubbling sensation in kidneys.
5. Calcarea carbonicum
It is useful for patients, who complain about dark brown colored urine or urine that contains white sediments.
6. Cantharis
This one is effective against symptoms, like a burning sensation in urine, and there is often an urge to defecate while urinating.
7. Colocynthis
It is used when a burning sensation is experienced while passing stools and often there are red crystals found in urine. Pain can be relieved by bending forward.
Other useful homeopathic remedies for the treatment include Nitric acid, Lycopodium, Sarsaparilla.
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.
Preventive Measures
- Drink as much water as you can (minimum of 8 glasses in a day).
- Do not stop or restrain yourself from passing urine.
- Do not use body sprays around the urinary area.
- Eat fibrous foods in your diet.
- If you are more susceptible to urinal infections, stop consuming contraceptive pills and using devices, such as condoms and diaphragms.
- Urinate in clean and hygienic places.
- Besides water, drink more of fruit juices, especially cranberry juice.
- High sodium diet can augment the chances of developing kidney stones. Hence, avoid the consumption of a large quantity of sodium in your diet.
- Avoid foods that can create oxalates in your kidneys. Examples are tea, spinach, beets, chocolates, nuts, etc.