Kidney infections can be a painful, serious occurrence that can lead to a blood infection if left untreated. Some people are more prone to experiencing kidney infections than others; if you have experienced a kidney infection once, you are more likely to have another episode. Cranberry juice may actually help prevent kidney infections, not cause them.
Symptoms
A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection, or UTI, where bacteria grow in your urinary tract, traveling from your urethra or bladder to your kidneys, according to MayoClinic.com. Kidney infections are considered a severe type of UTI because the bacteria can potentially spread to your bloodstream. Signs that you may be experiencing a kidney infection include fever, back pain, frequent urination, a burning sensation when urinating and/or pus or blood in your urine.
Causes
Cranberry juice does not cause kidney infections -- bacteria do. Some contributing factors include use of a urinary catheter, which can increase the likelihood of introducing bacteria into the urinary tract; nerve damage to the bladder; a weakened immune system; and having a condition that causes the urine to flow backward. Women are more likely to experience kidney infections because the bacteria have to travel a shorter distance to reach the bladder and kidneys than is the case with men. However, an enlarged prostate can increase the likelihood that a man will experience a kidney infection.
Prevention
Cranberry juice seems to have value in preventing kidney infections, according to MedlinePlus. This is because cranberry juice can make your urine more acidic. Increasing the acidity of your urine can help prevent bacteria from multiplying in your urinary tract. Also, increased cranberry juice intake can help keep bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract and contributing to a kidney infection. While cranberry juice may have preventative properties in terms of kidney infections, it does not seem to be effective in treating kidney infections.
Warning
Although cranberry juice may not cause kidney infections, it can possibly cause kidney stones, which are masses of minerals that build up in the kidneys. This is because cranberries contain oxalate, a compound that can contribute to kidney stone formation. If you drink more than 4 cups of cranberry juice a day for a prolonged period of time, you are more likely to experience kidney stones, according to MedlinePlus. You also may experience adverse side effects, such as nausea. For this reason, you should drink cranberry juice in moderation as a preventive measure for kidney infections.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Kidney Infection; August 2011
- National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection) in Adults; June 2007
- MedlinePlus; Urinary Tract Infection - Adults; September 2010
- American Pregnancy Association; Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy; April 2006
- MedlinePlus; Cranberry; June 2011
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