Treatment

You've read about healthy kidneys. You know about some symptoms and types of kidney illness. Now lets look at some common treatment for various kidney conditions.

Treatment for Kidney Pain Caused by Stones or Infection

Kidney pain is treated by eliminating the cause of the problem when possible. Pain caused by a kidney infection is treated by fighting the infection. Depending on the severity of the infection, hospitalization may be required. IV antibiotics are typically the method of choice to combat the infection effectively. A kidney infection left untreated can cause permanent damage to the kidney. In severe cases, the unfiltered blood may lead to a deadly condition known as sepsis.

Kidney stones are treated differently for each patient. The size and the number of stones will help a doctor determine the best treatment method. Small stones are usually treated with an over-the-counter pain medication and directions to drink a lot of fluids to help encourage the stone to pass. In some cases, doctors may prescribe a prescription strength pain medication. Stones smaller than 4mm are usually passed within 48 hours, leaving the kidney pain sufferer pain free. There are some prescription medications that may be prescribed to help break-up the stone into smaller, passable pieces.

Stones larger than 5mm may be treated with a shockwave therapy that breaks the stone up into small pieces. The small pieces are usually able to pass after being broken up. Stones that are too large to pass and do not respond to the shockwave treatment are usually surgically removed.

Treatment for Kidney Pain Related to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The best treatment method for kidney disease is prevention. Preventing the kidneys from becoming overworked which may cause permanent damage is the best way to treat kidney disease. Doctors will help each individual determine the best prevention plan that is suitable to their unique situation. Some dietary restrictions may be necessary and should be strictly followed. This restrictions can help lighten the load the kidneys carry in the blood filtering process.

  • Reduce the amount of salt to just four to six grams per day
  • Reduce the amount of protein in the daily diet
  • Reduce the intake of potassium
  • Restricting phosphorus
  • Limiting fluid intake to only necessary amounts
  • Regular exercise
  • Limiting or not taking medications that can damage the kidneys, like NSAIDs
  • Avoiding alcohol
  • Do not smoke

These lifestyle changes can help a person extend the life of their kidneys. People who are prone to kidney disease due to a related condition like diabetes or high blood pressure should do what they can to reduce the risk of developing the disease. People who are predisposed to kidney disease should also follow a well-balanced diet to prevent or slow the disease as much as possible.

If diabetes or high blood pressure is causing the kidney disease or kidney pain, those conditions need to be addressed as well. High blood pressure can often be controlled by following the above guidelines. Some diabetes are more difficult to control but following a doctor’s orders can reduce the strain placed on the kidneys by fluctuating blood glucose levels.

See the More Resources page of this site for links to more information about kidney health, kidney pain, and treatment and prevention of kidney disease.