Pyelonephritis is a type of urinary tract infection that usually ascends from the bladder to the kidneys and is more common in women.
- Pyelonephritis: what is it
- Acute or chronic pyelonephritis
- Symptoms of inflamed kidneys in case of acute pyelonephritis
- Which people are most at risk for pyelonephritis?
- Recommended foods in case of pyelonephritis
- Foods to avoid in case of pyelonephritis
- Other Natural Remedies for Pyelonephritis
Fever, pain in the lower back, frequent urge to go to the bathroom, pain when urinating… These are symptoms that can alert you to a kidney infection or pyelonephritis, a type of urinary tract infection that, if left untreated, can have serious consequences.
PYELONEPHRITIS: WHAT IS IT
Pyelonephritis is an upper urinary tract infection, which affects the kidneys. Most commonly, it is due to a bacterial infection in the urethra or bladder that goes up the ureter to reach the kidney tissue (renal parenchyma) and renal pelvis. In some cases, however, it may also be due to a bacterial infection in another part of the body that reaches the kidneys through the bloodstream.
ACUTE OR CHRONIC PYELONEPHRITIS
Pyelonephritis can be acute or chronic:
- Acute pyelonephritis, which is usually due to a urinary tract infection (cystitis), is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately with antibiotics to prevent serious, life-threatening complications, such as sepsis.
- Chronic pyelonephritis is a persistent infection of the kidney and occurs more often in people with anatomical abnormalities, such as vesicoureteral reflux (a disease that causes urine to go in the opposite direction to normal, that is, to back up from the bladder through the ureters). It can cause permanent kidney damage.
ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS: SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis include:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Low back pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Malaise.
- Symptoms of urinary tract infection (frequent need to go to the bathroom or painful urination).
- Blood in the urine.
Given these symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctor.
When pyelonephritis is chronic, however, there is usually no fever or symptoms of urinary tract infection.
WHICH PEOPLE ARE MOST AT RISK FOR PYELONEPHRITIS?
Women, having a shorter urethra, are more likely to suffer from urine infections and, therefore, pyelonephritis. Other risk factors include being sexually active, using spermicides, or being in menopause.
People who are elderly, have weakened immune systems, or have a problem that affects urine flow (such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate) are also at increased risk.
RECOMMENDED FOODS IN CASE OF PYELONEPHRITIS
The treatment of pyelonephritis, as we have said, is antibiotic. Diet, however, also plays an important role in its healing.
In the acute phase, Dr. Belen Igual, a naturopathic doctor, recommends fasting, in which juices and broths can be taken. If solids are ingested, “they should be foods that take care of kidney health, such as cherry, apple, pear, plum, melon, watermelon, mango, grapes, pineapple, lemon …“, he says.
- Other kidney-friendly foods include sprouted alfalfa, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, potatoes, raisins, hazelnuts, pine nuts and cold-pressed sunflower oil.
“It is advisable to follow a hyperproteic diet, in which the proteins are of vegetable origin,” says the expert. “In addition, the water is preferable to be of low mineralization.”
FOODS TO AVOID IN CASE OF PYELONEPHRITIS
According to Dr. Igual, some foods that should be consumed in moderation in case of pyelonephritis and avoided during the acute phase are beets, red cabbage, peas, garlic, eggs, legumes, oats or wheat.
- Tomatoes, watercress, asparagus, spinach, rhubarb and figs, and stimulants such as coffee and chocolate are also contraindicated.
As far as seasonings are concerned, it is not advisable to add pepper or salt.
OTHER NATURAL REMEDIES FOR PYELONEPHRITIS
In addition to dietary changes, there are other natural solutions that can help relieve pyelonephritis, such as:
- The application of heat in the renal area through a hot water bottle or a heating pad.
- Infusions based on horsetail, bearberry, goldenrod and corn stigmas.
