Excessive Urination With Cranberry Juice For A Kidney Infection

Kidney infections are no fun, and they may be the result of a bladder infection that spreads through one of the two tubes that connects each kidney to the bladder. Cranberry juice is frequently used as an alternative method for preventing urinary tract infections, or UTIs, and drinking the juice is likely to increase urination. Kidney infections, however, can be serious and often require a course of antibiotics or hospitalization. You may experience pain in your back, side or groin, nausea, fever, and chills. See your doctor promptly for symptoms of a kidney infection, and use cranberry juice as part of a doctor-recommended treatment plan.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries, from the Vaccinium macrocarpon plant, make tasty relishes and snacks, and as a food source, they are safe for most people. Popular in folk remedies, according to the “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Remedies,” the berries contain proanthocyanindins, which may be responsible for their effect on the urinary track. Cranberry juice also contains vitamins C and A, fiber, and, traces of many essential minerals.

Effect on Urination and the Kidneys

While cranberry juice is not specifically a diuretic, meaning the components of the berries do not increase urine flow, drinking lots of juice will increase urination, just as drinking lots of water will increase urination. Cranberry juice may help prevent UTIs, according to MedlinePlus, but it may not be effective for treating existing infections.

Administration

As a preventative for chronic UTIs, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking about 3 oz. of pure cranberry juice daily, or about 10 oz. of cranberry juice cocktail. There is no specific suggestion for using cranberry juice to treat an existing kidney infection. Contact your doctor about a safe dosage for children.

Considerations

Cranberry juice may cause diarrhea in people with irritable bowel syndrome, warns the “Gale Encyclopedia.” Other side effects are rare but include the the risk of vaginal yeast infections in some women. There are no known drug interactions, but diabetics should talk to their doctors before using cranberry juice due to its sugar content.