Urinary Tract Infections In Polycystic Kidney Disease

Urinary tract infection is one common complication of polycystic kidney disease. For PKD patients, their urinary tracts are easy to be blocked by continuously enlarged cysts and sometimes by kidney stones. As a result, various bacteria and viruses will stay in the urinary tract and cause infections, back or abdominal pain, fever and in severe conditions perinephric abscess, sepsis, etc.

About 30-50% ADPKD patients (autosomal dominant PKD) will have at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime. And UTI is more common among women patients because their urethra is short and straight.

If left untreated or if the treatment is improper, it is very painful and will in turn worsen renal functions, therefore early and proper treatment should be sought.

So is there any way that can help PKD patients to get rid of urinary tract infections and polycystic kidney disease? The first step for treating urinary tract infections is to alleviate symptoms and stabilize the illness conditions. Antibiotics will be prescribed by the doctors to relieve the pains, discomforts and prevent further spreading of the infections.

If the infections can not be controlled by antibiotics, urine culture is needed to further make clear the exact type and amount of virus or bacteria in the patients so as to provide more detailed medicines.

Antibiotics can not solve the root problem. What is more, long term intake of antibiotics is not good for the kidneys. To treat urinary tract infections for PKD patients, the most effective and root treatment is to treat the multiple renal cysts in bilateral kidneys.

There are many natural herbal medicines that have antibiotics effects which can help cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract and are very effective at preventing and treating urinary tract infections and help slow down illness progression of polycystic kidney disease. These natural herbs include Uva Ursi, cranberry, dandelion root, etc.

Besides oral intake of natural herbal medicines, there are also external application of Chinese medicines which can help shrink the cysts step by step. The active ingredients can also have the functions of anti-inflammation, anti-coagulation and vasodilation so as to greatly improve renal ischemia and hypoxia and promote kidney functions.

For PKD patients that have had kidney transplant, one major concern is infections among which urinary tract infection is the most common one. Therefore effective prevention and early treatment is very essential. The intake of some natural herbs like cranberry, dandelion root is very beneficial.