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Getting sick is inevitable over the course of your life. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable since there is nothing that can shield us from the elements at all time. The best thing you can do to be prepared 24/7 is to have a healthy body. Whatever life throws at you, you can surely pick yourself up and start again when your body is up for the battle.
The aches and pains we feel may signal there is a bigger problem. For instance, lingering kidney pain may indicate a more advanced kidney disease. So, once you start to feel that something is wrong with your body, get a checkup right away to prevent deadly complications. In the case of the kidney, the thought of a dialysis sounds pretty scary, right? But there are also simple and natural home remedies for kidney pain you can try on your own that are fairly easy to do and won’t even put a dent in your finances.
What is the Kidney?
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs responsible for the body’s elimination of waste products from metabolism, regulation of electrolytes in the blood and blood pressure, and the maintenance of the pH homeostasis. It serves as the body’s natural blood filter and is crucial for the normal functions of the urinary system.
Where are the kidneys located?
They are located at the back of the abdomen in the retroperitoneal space. The kidneys receive blood from both renal arteries draining into the renal veins. Each of the kidneys eliminates urine into the ureter that in turn empties into the bladder. About the size of a fist, each kidney is roughly four to five inches long and sit opposite one another on either side of the spine with the right kidney sitting a little lower to the left to accommodate the liver.
All the blood in the body passes through the kidneys many times throughout the day. Urine is created as the body filters blood. There are about one million units of nephrons in each kidney. They are the functional unit of this organ system. Each nephron filters blood. Sadly, though, you won’t be able to tell that 90% of your kidney no longer functions since it is asymptomatic.
Main Functions of the Kidney
- Waste elimination
- Blood pressure regulation
- Water level balancing
- Acidity regulation
- Red blood cell regulation
What is Kidney Pain?
It may be challenging to distinguish kidney pain. This kind of pain is often felt higher and deeper in the back below the ribs where the kidneys are located. It’s characterized by a dull ache that is not the same as the typical back muscle pain often felt lower in the back.
What causes Kidney Pain?
The possible causes of kidney pain include the following conditions:
- Hemorrhage (bleeding in the kidney)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Renal Vein Thrombosis (blood clots in the kidney veins)
- Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries going to the kidneys)
- Horseshoe Kidney (fused kidneys since birth)
- Kidney Tumor or Kidney Cancer
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- Hydronephrosis (kidney swelling caused by backed up urine)
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
Who is at Risk of Developing Kidney Pain?
These factors increase your risk of experiencing kidney pain from a kidney disease:
- Personal or family history of kidney disease
- Ethnicity (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian)
- Age (60 years and up)
- Certain diets
- Obesity
- Digestive diseases and surgery
- Medical conditions (Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease)
What are kidney illness symptoms?
Otherwise known as flank or renal pain, kidney pain symptoms may be experienced as an acute or chronic sharp pain occurring in the back of the lowest ribs and the buttocks. It may radiate to the groin or to the abdomen depending on its cause. Kidney pain symptoms include: (1)
- Pain in the lower back
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Dysuria (painful urination)
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy urine or foul smelling urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Shortness of breath
Here are the advanced kidney pain symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Swelling and shortness of breath
- Metallic taste in the mouth
Where is kidney pain felt?
Kidney pain may be felt on the left or right side depending on the cause, but it can also be felt on both sides of the back. You may experience these symptoms with a traumatic kidney injury but may stay asymptomatic if you have mild damage. On the mother hand, severe kidney trauma can lead to an abnormal pulse and high blood pressure as well as signs of shock.
Kidney stones in the ureters may cause a sudden sharp, severe, pain that decreases and increases sporadically in waves. On the other hand, kidney stones pain is known as renal colic. The stones block the tube that drains the kidney causing severe pain and discomfort. Nausea, vomiting, hematuria, fever, chills and malaise often accompany this pain. (2)
How to diagnose kidney pain?
Set an appointment with your doctor right away if you experience any or a majority of these symptoms or are having elimination issues since there are different diseases that mimic the symptoms of kidney pain. Your doctor can check your health history and properly assess your physical condition to rule out the diagnosis of a kidney infection or a kidney disease.
These are signs of kidney disease:
- Frequent urination or urination at night
- Painful urination
- Blood or protein in the urine
- Puffiness around the eyes
- Swelling or edema of the hands and feet
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 60
These symptoms along with risk factors for the disease are plenty of reasons why you need medical attention.
How to Prevent Kidney Pain?
Prevention is always better than a cure. Not having a kidney disease and its accompanying kidney pain is better than managing and treating the symptoms and suffering in silence or not so silent. The pain you experience when passing a kidney stone through your urinary tract is beyond what words can describe, so spare yourself if you can.
There are different ways to prevent kidney pain:
- Drink lots of water.
- Get enough calcium.
- Reduce sodium intake.
- Limit animal protein.
- Avoid eating stone-forming foods (especially if you are at high risk, e.g. sodas, chocolate, beets, tea, rhubarb, spinach, and most nuts). (3)
- Practice good hygiene.
- Prevent constipation.
- Eat more citrus fruits (e.g. lemons, limes, and oranges). (4)
Kidney Pain Treatment
Treatment often depends on the kidney condition but generally, pain medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and ketorolac can be taken to reduce the pain. If the pain is more severe, small amounts of morphine may be occasionally given instead. But remember that pain medications only manage the symptoms and do not address the kidney illness issue. Kidney infections require antibiotic treatments in addition to painkillers. Urologic surgery is necessary for a 6 mm. kidney stone or once it completely blocks the ureters and the urine can no longer pass.
Home Remedies for Kidney Pain
You don’t always need to rely on drugs and doctors for your kidney pain treatment. You can try quick home remedies for kidney pain that not only address the pain but prevent further infection:
- Taking magnesium supplements can reduce kidney stones by 92.3%.
- Modify your diet. Avoid soda, alcoholic beverages and processed foods that the kidneys will eventually filter. Also, reduce your salt intake.
- Uva ursi is a well-known folk remedy for kidney pain. It not only reduces pain and cleanses the kidneys, but fights infection too.
- Apply warm compresses on your back or abdomen to relieve pain.
- Eat whole wheat bread that is high in fiber, protein, and magnesium to keep your kidneys healthy.
- For sexually-active women, avoid using contraceptive pills.
- Urinate and bathe after sexual intercourse.
- Increase your vitamin C intake for an immunity boost.
Natural Remedies for Kidney Pain
Address kidney pain with these natural kidney pain remedies or the use of these powerful herbs:
- Kidney beans are helpful in treating a kidney infection. Remove the beans from the pods and boil the pods on low heat until they are soft and tender. Strain the liquid and let it cool. Strain it once more and drink this concoction several times throughout the day.
- Drink cranberry juice, which is probably the most popular kidney ailment remedy in the world. Drink two to three glasses during bouts with kidney infections to reduce the severity.
- Drink lemon juice. Since it is rich in citric acid, it helps in breaking down calcium agglomerates in the kidney.
- Drink nettle tea twice or thrice daily for kidney pain relief. It has antibacterial properties that promote smooth urination and prevent the formation of kidney stones.
- Basil is an excellent kidney tonic. Mix and drink a tablespoon of basil juice and a tablespoon of honey. Do this daily for five months to relieve kidney pain.
- Celery is a natural antiseptic and painkiller. Drink celery juice daily to flush out toxins and help break down existing kidney stones.
- Treat kidney pain and infections with pomegranate juice and the fruit’s seeds. Like celery, pomegranate has antiseptic properties that can also hydrate your body. Drink a glass of pomegranate juice or eat pomegranate fruit daily to help manage kidney disease and infections.
- The high potassium level in watermelon is great for removing kidney stones and to help regulate the urine’s acidity levels. Since watermelon is 92% water, it not only hydrates the body, but helps flush out toxins too.
- Upon arising, drink a glass of tomato juice followed by a glass of water for kidney pain relief. You can also wrap chopped tomatoes in a thick cotton cloth and put it on the patient’s back to relieve the pain.
- Apply warm compresses as a kidney pain remedy.
- Mix equal amount of virgin olive oil and lemon juice and drink the mixture to reduce the intensity of the kidney pain.
- Dandelion root tea is the best herbal kidney pain remedy. It’s a natural diuretic that relieves the pain by cleansing the kidney and stimulating blood circulation.
- Mix honey and apple cider vinegar in a glass and drink it. Drink this up to two times daily to prevent kidney disease.
- Drink a mixture of baking soda and water regularly to reduce the stress on the kidneys and aid in the elimination of waste products.
- Daily aloe vera juice intake boosts kidney functions and helps to flush toxins out of the body.
Parsley Tea
Parsley is a natural diuretic. It enhances urine output to flush out toxins and it has antiviral properties that help cure a kidney infection.
Ingredients:
1 large bunch of fresh parsley
4 cups water
Preparation:
- Wash and chop the parsley finely.
- Prepare 4 teaspoons of the chopped parsley.
- Boil water in a pan over medium heat.
- Take it off the heat.
- Add the chopped parsley into the pan.
- Cover it and allow it to steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the parsley and drink the water.
- Drink it hot or cold at least four times a week.
Sage and Peppermint Tea
The volatile oils in sage have astringent and antiseptic properties that can clear the kidney of toxins and impurities. It can relieve you of spasms and kidney pain when sage is mixed with peppermint.
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Ingredients:
1 tablespoon sage
1 tablespoon peppermint leaves
2 cups boiled water
Preparation:
- Pour the hot water over the sage and peppermint leaves.
- Cover and let it cool for several minutes before straining.
- Drink at least twice daily for three months.
All the body’s systems have a specific purpose, so you can’t really say that you can live fully when one system is not functioning properly or absent. It takes more effort to do simple chores than when everything is working well in your body. Imagine not having an organ to get rid of all your body waste or being in constant pain just to relieve yourself. People with kidney pain or those who have passes kidney stones through the urinary tract know very well just how painful these episodes can be.
Over the years, people have relied on simple home remedies and the use of herbs to relieve them of kidney pain and prevent the progression of kidney infections or diseases. Whether you are at high risk for kidney disease or just lead an unhealthy lifestyle, your kidney need not suffer, nor should you. Say goodbye to kidney pain and enjoy a stress-free life without being constantly plagued by the pain and discomfort you feel each time you urinate.
Other Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.healthline.com/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/
http://www.kidneyfund.org/
http://www.medicinenet.com/
http://www.nhs.uk/
http://homeremedyshop.com/
http://www.rapidhomeremedies.com/
http://homeremediesforlife.com/
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/
https://www.organicfacts.net/
http://www.unconventionalremedies.com/
http://apneamedics.com/
http://www.diyhealthremedy.com/
http://olwomen.com/
