A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bladder infections. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract, causing inflammation and pain when urinating. Conventional treatments for UTIs include antibiotics, which are known to cause both acute and long-term adverse side effects. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to treat … Continue reading 8 Natural treatments for urinary tract infections
Phages, or viruses that kill bacteria, are routinely found in the bladder
A recent study published in the Journal of Bacteriology reported that bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), which infect and replicate inside bacteria, are found in the bladder. According to the authors, the presence of the phages is helpful in maintaining a healthy urinary tract. To identify how bacteriophages contribute to the urinary microbiota, researchers looked at 181 bacterial genomes … Continue reading Phages, or viruses that kill bacteria, are routinely found in the bladder
Kidney stones: Symptoms, treatments and dietary precautions
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of salts and other minerals that form inside the kidneys. Diet, lifestyle habits and a family history of kidney disease all contribute to an individual’s risk of developing kidney stones. Despite its name, kidney stones can affect any part of the urinary tract, such as the bladder and ureter. … Continue reading Kidney stones: Symptoms, treatments and dietary precautions
Curcumin found to have protective effects against renal fibrosis
Chinese researchers investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of curcumin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-B1 (TGF-B1), as well as the mechanism by which it influences the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Their findings were published in the journal Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. According to animal studies, curcumin has protective effects against the development of renal fibrosis.However, the mechanisms … Continue reading Curcumin found to have protective effects against renal fibrosis
Coronavirus can cause acute kidney damage in over a third of patients, says study
A new study conducted by New York-based healthcare provider Northwell Health found that over a third of patients treated for COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the Wuhan coronavirus, developed acute kidney injury. “We found in the first 5,449 patients admitted, 36.6% developed acute kidney injury,” said co-author Kenar Jhaveri in a statement. In their report, which was … Continue reading Coronavirus can cause acute kidney damage in over a third of patients, says study
Increasing blood pressure meds for elderly patients increases risk of readmission due to falls and kidney injury
Blood pressure medications might reduce the risk of cardiometabolic conditions, but researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that healthcare professionals might be doing more harm than good in prescribing more intense medications. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, their results demonstrated that patients admitted for non-cardiac conditions but had high blood pressure had a greater risk of readmission, falls, fainting … Continue reading Increasing blood pressure meds for elderly patients increases risk of readmission due to falls and kidney injury
Medicinal herbs for the treatment of kidney diseases
The kidneys play a vital role in the normal physiology of humans. These small, bean-shaped organs are responsible for removing waste products and excess fluid from the body. They also facilitate the production of urine, regulate the body’s salt, acid and potassium levels and produce hormones that influence the function of other organs. The kidneys, however, are … Continue reading Medicinal herbs for the treatment of kidney diseases
Antioxidant May Prevent Kidney Damage, Study Finds (press release)
An Italian study adds some information -- but doesn't resolve -- a major medical debate: Is an antioxidant called acetylcysteine effective against one of the most common forms of in-hospital kidney failure? When doctors want to view inside the body, they inject what is called contrast medium, chemicals that make the blood vessels stand out … Continue reading Antioxidant May Prevent Kidney Damage, Study Finds (press release)
Which plants are effective at treating kidney diseases?
Plant-based foods are much better at promoting health than animal-based foods for a variety of reasons. Besides their abundance in essential nutrients, edible plants also contain a variety of phytonutrients that help combat or treat disease. The ability of these plants to produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other therapeutic compounds serves as their main advantage over conventional medicines, which … Continue reading Which plants are effective at treating kidney diseases?
Hematuria (blood in urine) risk factors and 6 possible causes
Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in your urine, which can be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from simple infections to rare blood disorders. The blood may also be visible to the naked eye or in such small quantities that may require a microscope to be observed. While the condition is fairly … Continue reading Hematuria (blood in urine) risk factors and 6 possible causes
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 