The Basics of Kidney Infection

Kidney infections develop when the infection caused by bacteria (usually E.coli) that was originally contained within the lower urinary tract ascends and affect the one or both kidneys. The kidneys main function is to filter the blood, maintain the body’s sodium levels, and regulate the electrolyte within the body. When even one of the kidney contracts an infection, it affects the overall function of the kidney.

A lot of factors contribute to the development of kidney infection. These include: sexual intercourse or having different sexual partners, diabetes, and other underlying cause that partially blocks the flow of urine such as kidney stones or urethral reflux.

If you develop a kidney infection, it is important to get it treated immediately. Delayed treatment for kidney infection could lead to severe cases such as:

• Kidney Scarring – that could increase the blood pressure (hypertension) and eventually, kidney failure.
• Blood Poisoning – Since one of the main functions of the kidney to collect and filter blood, the infection could cause inefficient filtering which could cause the spreading of bacteria all over the body.
• Complications in Pregnancy – women who develops kidney infections while pregnant could most likely give birth to babies with low birth weight.

However, there are also certain things you can do to reduce your risk of getting a kidney infection. By drinking lots of fluids, you will be able to flush the bacteria which caused the infection out of your body through urination. Furthermore, emptying the bladder after a sexual activity could also help clearing the bacteria that might have entered your vagina therefore preventing it from spreading into the kidneys.

Treating Kidney Infections

Kidney infections are easy to treat with low dose antibiotics if detected at an earlier stage. Together with the prescribed medicine, these alternative kidney infection treatments would also help in restoring your kidney’s health.

• Drink lots of water – as explained above, drinking lots of fluids can help in getting rid of the bacteria which caused the infection. It’s proved to be an effective treatment for kidney infection. Also, it is best to avoid drinking coffee and sugary drinks such as soda as it can overwork your kidneys.
• Increase Probiotic Intake – antibiotics have the tendency to kill both the good and bad flora of the body. With that said, taking in probiotics together with antibiotics can help replenish the good bacteria in the body.
• Take Supplements – taking additional supplements such as D-mannose and apple cider vinegar could also help in flushing out the bacteria in the kidney since the apple cider vinegar contains some antibacterial properties.

Incorporating these three to your treatment for kidney infection could definitely increase your chances of recovering quickly. Not to mention, it’s low-cost and it’s easy to do. Do remember, though, to consult your doctor before taking any medication.