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If you’ve ever experienced intense pain when you’re on the toilet and had the constant urge to go but were unable to, then you might have suffered from a kidney infection. Coupled with other symptoms such as strong smelling, cloudy urine, a fever, back pain and sometimes blood in the urine, a kidney infection is very unpleasant to have. In the worst cases, you might also be incredibly tired and unable to keep any food down.

Who’s the culprit?

The most common cause of kidney infection is the E. coli bacteria. It can enter the body through the urethra and cause a urinary tract infection that may then spread to the kidneys. More women than men are affected because the urethra is shorter in the female body.

You will definitely require some medical attention if you have a kidney infection, as without treatment you may be left with irreversibly damaged kidneys. You should never leave it untreated and hope it goes away. It’s likely just to worsen.

Heal thyself

So, the first thing to do is to see your doctor. Depending on how serious the infection is – which your GP will be able to determine with a urinalysis – you’ll require some antibiotics. And whatever medication the doctor prescribes, take it in its entirety, even if you feel better. You do not want to develop immunity to antibiotics.

Once the doctor has done their part, you must do yours. That means drinking lots of water to flush out the bacteria as well as remaining hydrated. Cranberry juice is also very good at helping to treat a kidney infection. It contains certain bacteria-killing acids and also helps removing the bacteria from the lining of the urinary tract.

Finally, you should rest as much as possible. If you require painkillers to withstand the pain, do take them. If kidney infection is caught early, you’ll be fighting fit in no time!

Tags: medicine, pain