Pyelonephritis, Urinary tract infection, Kidney failure.
Root Cause of Disease
A kidney infection happens when bacteria infect your kidneys. The bacteria are usually a type called E. coli, which live in your bowel. The bacteria get in through the opening of the urethra and move upwards through your urinary tract, first infecting your bladder and then your kidneys.
In rare cases, a kidney infection can develop if bacteria or fungi infect the skin and the infection spreads through your bloodstream into your kidney. However, this type of infection usually only occurs in people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain and discomfort in your side, lower back or around your genitals
- High temperature (it may reach 39.5C or 103.1F)
- Shivering or chills
- Feeling very weak or tired
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling sick
Causes
In fact, about 90 percent of kidney infections are caused by a single type of bacteria, E. coli. Normally, urine flushes any potentially harmful bacteria out of your ureters before they can cause an infection. But sometimes this doesn’t happen due to the following conditions:
- Structural abnormalities in your ureters or kidneys
- Kidney stones
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
- Urine backflow (reflux) from your bladder to your kidneys
Impaired Urine Flow: The flow of urine throughout your urinary tract is an important barrier against infection. This flow can be slowed by a narrowed urethra, enlarged prostate, or kidney stone.
Weakened Immune System: Your immune system can be weakened by health conditions such as diabetes, HIV, and cancer, or by certain drugs.
Nerve Damage: If you have a spinal cord injury or nerve damage around your bladder, you may not notice when you develop a bladder infection, which can allow it to progress to your kidneys more easily.
Home Remedies to treat Kidney Infection
Remedy – 1: Parsley juice
Materials: Parsley, Large bowl, Juicer.
Parsley juice is a nutrient-dense diuretic that can increase the frequency and amount of urination. This can help flush out the bacteria in the kidneys faster, making antibiotics even more effective.
Procedure:
- Cut off the stem tips just below the rubber band of the parsley bundles with a sharp knife.
- place parsley into the juicing compartment of the juicer, along with a portion of the other fruits, vegetables and herbs you’re including.
- Extract the juice.
- Detach the juice compartment and pour the contents into a glass. Parsley juice tastes best fresh — preferably within minutes of being made
If you don’t like the taste of parsley outright, you can mix it into a smoothie with strong-flavored fruits, including cranberries or blueberries for the best results.
Product link: Parsley-leaves
Remedy – 2: Cranberry juice
Materials: Cranberries, Water
Cranberry juice has been used as a home remedy to treat UTIs and bladder infections for ages. It can be used in cases of kidney infection as well. There is evidence which shows drinking cranberry juice can help in the prevention of urinary tract infections in some people. Many people add the sweet flavor of cranberry juice to water. Cranberry juice originally is loaded with added sweeteners, should be taken in moderation. In fact, cranberry supplements, cranberries or pure cranberry juice can be more beneficial for kidney infections.
Procedure:
- Put the water and the cranberries in a pot and bring to a low boil.
- Boil until cranberries pop, 10 minutes or so.
- Drain the cranberry juice through a fine strainer pushing on the berries a little bit to extract juices.
Product link: Cranberries
Other Remedies
Dandelion tea
Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic and may help increase urine flow to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. Diuretics help increase urine output, which can help flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. You can brew the tea by steeping dried dandelion leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Garlic
Garlic has antimicrobial properties that may help fight off infection. It contains compounds like allicin and alliin which have antibacterial and antiviral properties. You can include garlic in your meals or take garlic supplements after consulting with your doctor.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that can boost your immune system and help your body fight off infection. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the kidneys. Echinacea is available in the form of supplements or tea. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and consult with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols which have anti-inflammatory properties. You can include ginger in your meals or drink ginger tea to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Turmeric
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which has anti-inflammatory properties. You can include turmeric in your meals or drink turmeric tea to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Preventions
Reduce your risk of kidney infection by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infections.
- Drink fluids, especially water.Fluids can help remove bacteria from the body when you urinate.
- Urinate as soon as you need to. Don’t delay urinating when you feel the urge.
- Wipe carefully.Wipe from front to back after urinating and after a bowel movement. This helps prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra.
- Avoid using products in the genital area.Deodorant sprays in the genital area or douches can be irritation.
