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What are the Best Treatments for Kidney Infection Pain?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

A kidney infection is considered serious and usually needs to be treated by a medical professional to prevent it from spreading into the bloodstream. Most doctors start the treatment with antibiotics to get rid of the infection, but there are also kidney infection pain remedies that can be used at home to get rid of symptoms like nausea, pain during urination, and lower back tenderness until the antibiotics take effect. Drinking both cranberry juice and lots of water can help reduce pain, as can taking supplements like vitamin C. Of course, rest and hot compresses also often work, and can be done from home after getting medical treatment.

One of the main ways to start reducing pain from a kidney infection is to get antibiotics from the doctor. Most people are offered oral antibiotics to treat the issue, but some severe cases call for intravenous intake at a hospital or doctor's office. Some people prefer to use garlic or Echinacea to help get rid of the bacteria, as these are both considered nature's antibiotics, but a doctor should be consulted before anyone uses these in place of prescription antibiotics.

Drinking cranberry juice may help cleanse the kidneys.
Drinking cranberry juice may help cleanse the kidneys.

Water is often crucial to help the body recover from various illnesses, and kidney infection pain is no exception. Those trying to eliminate pain should increase their water intake since it can flush out toxins. Adding cranberry juice to the daily diet should also help since it can make it difficult for bacteria to stick to the walls of the bladder, essentially flushing it out and making urination less painful. Vitamin C can also speed up recovery from kidney infection pain, so taking a supplement or eating foods like almonds and salmon may be a good idea while recovering from the infection. It is also helpful to avoid foods that irritate the bladder during this time, such as caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, cheese, and anything carbonated.

Antiobiotics can help treat lower back tenderness caused by a kidney infection.
Antiobiotics can help treat lower back tenderness caused by a kidney infection.

Flank pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms of a kidney infection, but it can be reduced with a warm compress. A heating pad or hot water bottle can also be held against the lower abdomen if there is discomfort there, as well. It should be covered with a towel when pressed against the skin to reduce the chances of a burn without decreasing its effectiveness. Of course, rest and relaxation can help the body heal from kidney infection pain as quickly as possible, which means that taking it easy for several days is advised.

Discussion Comments

Nitea

I've had kidney pain for the past three and a half months. As soon as I was in pain, I went straight to the doctor (because when I had a kidney infection three years ago, this was the first symptom). I was tested for it, and I didn't have any infections whatsoever, but they know that I know what I'm talking about and gave me some antibiotics (Trimethoprim) which made the situation worse.

I was then prescribed Norfloxacin, which worked very well, and while I could walk and do whatever, I bought cranberry juice. It did not help when the antibiotics ended. I was still in pain but I kept up the cranberry juice. A glass a day for four weeks didn't help anything; it actually seemed to make it worse.

I was scanned (ultrasound) for anything that might be wrong, but nothing showed up out of the ordinary (I'm grade 3-4 in vesicorectal reflux, diagnosed when I was born, so the ureters are enlarged).

I'm now on Cephalexin, Hiprex and Panadeine which seem to be working. Some days I can go with under thgee Panadeine. Now what the Cephalexin has ceased, Hiprex works pretty well by itself. There are still some days that I have over six or seven Panadeine though. Nothing helps.

Perdido

I think that once you start taking antibiotics, then rest really is the best kidney infection treatment you can do at home. I am always thinking of something that needs to be done around the house, so it was difficult for me to take a break from chores long enough to recover.

A couple of times, I tried to get up and wash dishes or do a load of laundry, but my pain sent me straight back to bed. I resigned myself to the fact that I really couldn't do any housework during my recovery, and I started to relish that time to catch up on reading magazines and sleeping.

Just staying still minimized my pain level. I kept a bedpan in the room with me so I wouldn't have to go all the way to the bathroom to urinate, because with all the water I was drinking, I needed to go at least once an hour.

JackWhack

@StarJo – I used to get both lower and upper urinary tract infections a lot, but since I've been drinking cranberry juice regularly, I haven't gotten any more. I drink a glass a day.

I don't like the pure cranberry juice, so I get either crangrape or cranapple. It seems to work just as well at preventing kidney infections.

Also, if I start having symptoms of an infection, I start taking cranberry extract supplements right away. If I do this in conjunction with drinking the juice and plenty of water, then it can make my symptoms totally disappear.

StarJo

I ignored my urinary tract infection symptoms, and the infection progressed to a kidney infection. Once this happened, I could not ignore it.

I began vomiting, and I had a low fever. My lower back was really sore.

I went to my doctor, who said I needed to be hospitalized to receive antibiotics intravenously. I was surprised that they gave me regular acetaminophen for the pain, though. I had expected something stronger, especially since I was in the hospital.

Kristee

The worst thing about having a kidney infection was the back pain. It was so bad that I had trouble walking and sitting.

I had a special heating pad that I had made years ago by sewing the edges of a towel and filling it with rice. Just a few minutes in the microwave would yield a hot compress that was very flexible.

I used this on my back almost constantly while taking antibiotics. It really wasn't hard for me to take it easy, since I couldn't have physically done much even if I wanted!

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      By: Galina Mikhalishina
      Drinking cranberry juice may help cleanse the kidneys.
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