Kidney medications to improve kidney function?

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a specific type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels up into your kidneys.

A kidney infection requires prompt medical attention. If not treated properly, a kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.

Kidney infection treatment usually includes antibiotics and often requires hospitalization.

Symptoms of a kidney infection include:
Diarrhea
high temperature of 38 ºC (100.4ºF) or above
Nausea
Uncontrollable shivering
Vomiting
Back pain
Pain in the groin
Pain in the side
Often symptoms are worse when the patient urinates.

Kidney infection can either be treated at home or in a hospital; this will depend on several factors, including the severity of symptoms and the patient's general state of health.

Treatment at home consists of taking prescribed oral antibiotics. The patient should start to feel better after a few days.

It is essential that the individual finishes treatment and complies with what their GP has instructed, so that the kidney infection get's cured.

Consuming plenty of fluids will help prevent fever and dehydration. Fluid intake recommendations may vary, depending on the type of infection.

The doctor may also prescribe an analgesic if there is any pain.

If the individual is treated in hospital and suffers from dehydration fluids may be administered with a drip. Most cases of hospitalization do not last more than three to seven days.

Subsequent urine and blood tests will tell the doctor how effective treatment has been.

The following types of patients are more likely to be treated in hospital for kidney infection:

Those with diabetes
People aged 60 or over
Individuals who have serious difficulties urinating
Patients with cancer, and those receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Those with sickle cell anemia
Individuals with a history of kidney infection
People with HIV
Patients who are found to have a blockage in their kidneys
Pregnant women
Patients in severe pain
People with severe vomiting.