Kidney infections can be an uncomfortable experience, and staying physically active while suffering from an infection that causes back pain can be especially difficult.
If back pain is interfering with your workouts, you may be wondering if you can (or should) exercise with a kidney infection. While you can If you exercise, it’s important to learn about kidney infections before continuing with your regular fitness routine.
Causes and Symptoms of Kidney Infection
A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection that initially begins in the urethra or bladder but then spreads to the kidneys, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The most common cause of a kidney infection is a bacterial infection such as E.coli or a staph infection, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
However, certain underlying factors can also increase your risk of suffering from a kidney infection. These include:
- Having kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, which can prevent your urine from draining properly, causing bacteria to flow back to the kidneys
- You have vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to flow backward into your bladder rather than out.
- Living with underlying health conditions such as diabetes or HIV
- Being female, because women have a shorter urethra, making it more likely for bacteria to travel to the bladder and kidneys.
Anthony Kouri, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Duly Health and Care in Downers Grove, Illinois, says common symptoms of a kidney infection include fever, chills, back or side pain, a burning sensation when urinating, blood in the urine, and a strong urge to urinate. If you have these symptoms, Dr. Kouri says it’s extremely important to see your doctor, because untreated kidney infections can lead to serious complications.
Exercising with a Kidney Infection
Unfortunately, there is little information on exactly how to exercise when you have a kidney infection. That said, there are some general guidelines for participating in physical activity while experiencing back pain.
Generally speaking, whether or not you should exercise depends on your symptoms. If you have severe symptoms that cause excruciating pain, it may be best to rest your body while you recover on antibiotics.
However, if your pain is tolerable and you still want to stay active during your recovery, you have several options to choose from. For example, the Hospital for Special Surgery recommends that gentle aerobic exercises, such as cycling, walking and yoga, can help improve back pain. It’s also worth noting that they recommend swimming for back pain, but if you have a urinary or kidney infection, it’s essential to avoid swimming pools, as this can make the infection worse or lead to complications.
But Kouri also wants you to remember one tip if you’re training with a kidney infection: the importance of staying hydrated. He explains that dehydration can make kidney infections worse. It is therefore crucial to keep your body hydrated before, during and after exercise.
Plus, by staying hydrated, Kouri says you’ll urinate more, which helps flush bacteria out of the urinary tract. “You’re often slightly dehydrated if you have a kidney infection, so you should drink more water than usual during exercise,” says Kouri.
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