Back Pain Or Kidney Stone
What gives?
According to Dr. Charney, if youre feeling kidney pain, its probably coming from one of two places : Either because of distension of the ureter or capsule that surrounds the kidneys.
The ureterstubes attached to each kidneytransport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. All that urine contains salts and minerals, and if the minerals clump together and block one of the ureters, youve got yourself a dreaded, infamously painful kidney stone.
ureter because there is a stone blocking it, says Dr. Charney. Not only that, he says, but when there is a blockage due to the stone in the ureter, the urine may back up into the kidney and that may expand the capsule of the kidney and cause pain.
Kidney stones
When it comes to where the pain is located, it is typically just on one side. It is routinely categorized as a dull ache. Dr. Charney adds that the pain is always theremore or less bothering you. Sound familiar? Thats because chronic back pain, especially the kind caused by nerve compression, is usually on just one side too .
However, when it comes time to pass a stone, youll know it.
Stone ache can just be faint pain unless that stone is trying to pass, says Dr. Charney. Then it can be severe and last for several minutes before it goes away. Whenever the pain is too excruciating to bearand really, any time you suspect a kidney stonehead to the emergency room. Treatment is available and of course, better safe than sorry.
Bladder & Kidney Infections
Bladder or urinary tract infections are caused by a bacterial infection within the bladder. Bacteria enter the urethra and travels into the bladder, causing a bladder infection. When this goes untreated, the problem can complicate into a condition called pyelonephritis, which affects the upper urinary system that includes the kidneys and ureters, or the ducts where the urine passes from the kidney to the bladder.
Bacteria from the untreated UTI sometimes escape the bladder and urethra and travel up the ureters where they enter one or both kidneys and cause a kidney infection. This infection can spread to the blood. The problem is treatable with antibiotics. Because the urethra is shorter in women than in men, women are at higher risk of obtaining a urinary tract infection.
Symptoms of UTI include painful and/ or frequent urination. Once the infection has progressed to pyelonephritis, symptoms include:
- Back pain or flank pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion in elderly patients
The urine can also contain blood, a foul odor, or appear cloudy. If you experience trouble urinating, you should seek medical care.
How To Distinguish Between Kidney Pain And Back Pain
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. This article has been viewed 255,777 times.
When you are having pain in your back, you may not automatically know what it causing it. It can be very difficult to recognize the differences between pain originating in your back and pain coming from your kidneys. However, the difference is all in the details. In order to distinguish between kidney and back pain you need to concentrate on identifying exactly where the pain is located, how constant it is, and whether there are any other symptoms you are experiencing. If you can identify the details, you should be able to distinguish between kidney and back pain.
Also Check: How Can You Stop Lower Back Pain
What Causes Kidney Pain
Kidneys drain urine to the bladder via tubes called ureters. Your bladder is emptied via the urethra. Problems in any of these areas can cause pain, and may be caused by:
- an ultrasound
If you have had kidney stones in the past, it may not always be necessary to have a computed tomography scan, which exposes you to radiation. Ask your doctor if a CT scan is necessary for you. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Inflammation
In more detail we will consider the symptoms of inflammation of the kidneys – pyelonephritis – inflammation of the renal pelvis. The most vulnerable department of the kidneys, urine is filtered through the renal pelvis. Pyelonephritis is of infectious origin. Pyelonephritis is equally susceptible to both adults and children. This is a fairly common pathology of kidney inflammation, the main role in the development of which pathogenic bacteria enter the kidneys through the flow of blood from infectious foci or by penetration from other parts of the urinary system. The main risk factors for pyelonephritis include, first of all, hypothermia, decreased immunity, violation of urine outflow, infectious diseases of the urinary system, decreased blood supply to the kidney tissue, various kidney trauma. Urologists classify pyelonephritis:
- the type of origin distinguishes the primary, the development of which is not accompanied by other diseases and secondary, the development of which occurs against the background of pathologies and various diseases of the urinary system and kidneys
- the state of the urinary system distinguishes non-obstructive, developing without disturbances of urine outflow from the kidneys and obstructive, developing with violation of urodynamics.
Symptoms of inflammation of the kidneys, namely, pyelonephritis:
Don’t Miss: How To Fix Tightness In Lower Back
Causes Of Kidney Pain
Kidney pain has many possible causes. These organs are connected to others like your bladder and ureters, where you store and get rid of urine.
Kidney stones. Intense, sudden, stabbing pain may be a kidney stone. These are mineral deposits that can grow large enough to block a ureter, a tube that connects your kidney and bladder. If that happens, you’ll feel sharp pain or cramps in your back or side. It can also spread out to your groin. As you try to pee out the stone, you might feel waves of pain.
Kidney infection. Also called pyelonephritis, this infection could cause discomfort in one or both kidneys. You may feel pain in your back, in your side or both sides under your ribs, or in your groin. You’ll also have a fever. Urinary tract infections also cause discomfort in this organ.
Kidney swelling. This condition, called hydronephrosis, can happen if your kidneys are blocked. Your urine can’t drain the way it should and builds up in your kidneys. This can happen in one or both kidneys and sometimes it causes pain.
Kidney cysts. You may not feel a simple kidney cyst until it grows larger. Once it gets big, you might feel a dull pain in your side or back, or feel pain in the upper part of your belly.
Polycystic kidney disease. This genetic disease causes many cysts to grow in your kidneys. They may cause you to feel a pain in your back or side.
Nhs Choices: Liver Disease
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes theyll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.
Non-alcoholic liver disease is a potentially life-threatening condition characterised by a build-up of fat in the liver. It is strongly tied to chronic disease markers, such as obesity and high blood sugar levels. Pain in these four body regions could indicate your risk.
Liver pain can take several forms warning that something is not quite right.
Most people feel it as a dull, throbbing sensation in the upper right abdomen.
Liver pain can also feel like a stabbing sensation that takes ones breath away.
Sometimes this pain is accompanied by swelling, and occasionally people feel radiating liver pain in their back or in their right shoulder blade.
Liver disease refers to any condition that causes liver inflammation or damage, and that may affect liver function. Liver pain is often a sign of liver disease.
Liver pain can be dull and nonspecific, but it can also be severe, said Medical News Today.
The health site added: It may result in a backache. Liver pain is sometimes confused with a pain in the right shoulder, or in the abdomen, or the kidney.
Many liver diseases and other organ conditions can cause liver pain.
That means that your body will react by showing signs of toxicity.
You May Like: What Are The Best Sneakers For Lower Back Pain
Early Warning Signs Of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease affects millions of people in the United States, and there are just a few indicators that reveal issues with kidneys. Often referred to as the “Quiet Disease” because of the lack of symptoms, most people do not discover they have kidney disease until it is very advanced. Also, many people ignore early warning signs, while catching kidney disease early can mean the difference between life and death. This is why vehicle donation is so important to fund the education of kidney disease.
Kidneys perform important functions of the body such as regulating the acid content, potassium, and salt content. Waste removal is also a function of the kidneys along with producing vitamin D and balancing the bodys fluids. Kidneys produce hormones that regulate the metabolization of calcium and controls blood pressure. Here are a few of early warning signs of kidney disease:
Treatment Of Kidney Infection
Most kidney infections need prompt treatment with antibiotics to stop the infection damaging the kidneys or spreading to the bloodstream.
You may also need painkillers.
If you’re especially vulnerable to the effects of an infection , you may be admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics through a drip.
Most people who are diagnosed and treated promptly with antibiotics feel completely better after about 2 weeks.
People who are older or have underlying conditions may take longer to recover.
Recommended Reading: Where Is Kidney Pain Felt In The Back
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Inflammation Most Of All
Symptoms of the disease are fairly pronounced literally during the first day of exacerbation. The most common characteristic manifestation is elevated body temperature, accompanied by fever and headache. Symptoms with inflammation of the kidneys suggest a significant increase in sweating, and regardless of the cold or heat, the sufferer equally experiences uncomfortable sensations. The genitourinary system of the patient functions with obvious impairments – frequent urination accompanied by pain. It is undeniable that painful urination does not need to be tolerated even for one day – this is a sure sign of the disease. The appearance of urine changes from the degree of development of the disease. The color of the urine becomes dark with flakes and a pungent odor. Often, inflammation of the kidneys is accompanied by nausea, resulting in vomiting.
After the detection of such symptoms, as a rule, a set of necessary tests follows, allowing to establish the correct diagnosis and begin treatment. With inflammation of the kidneys – qualitative tests and timely diagnosis will help successful treatment of the disease.
Symptoms Of Kidney Inflammation In Women
In the majority of cases, by the age of 55, 85% of women develop kidney inflammation, and the disease proceeds without significant symptoms. Exacerbation of the disease often occurs during pregnancy, due to compression of the ureters, enlarged uterus and violation of the outflow of urine from the kidneys. It is during pregnancy that an exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis occurs, which previously occurred without obvious symptoms and was not cured in time.
Don’t Miss: How To Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain In Lower Back
Treating Back And Stomach Pain
In order to properly relieve your pain, a proper diagnosis will be important. A doctor will listen to you describe your symptoms and medical history to try and determine potential causes and will then use a series of tests to rule out serious issues. These tests may include blood tests, ultrasounds, endoscopies, X-rays, or urine tests. You may also be sent to an Atlanta MRI center for more advanced imaging.
At AICA Orthopedics, our onsite imaging site is readily available and works with a range of doctors, giving you access to various forms of treatment depending on your diagnosis. If you are experiencing a combination of stomach and back pain, call AICA Orthopedics today.
Pain And Excess Masturbation
- The problem with frequent or excess masturbation is that it can lead to soreness and body pain. The body pain is a consequence of groin pain that extends from the testicles resulting from excessive masturbation.
- Some men who masturbate excessively often end up using a lot of friction. As a result, they suffer from testicle pain that also irritates them. In some cases, the pain is also accompanied by a sensation of nausea and swelling.
- That is why it’s necessary to take a break until the discomfort settles if you suffer from any pain after masturbation. More importantly, if you’re suffering from constant pains after masturbation, consult a doctor immediately.
You May Like: Can A Firm Mattress Cause Lower Back Pain
When To Consult A Doctor About Possible Kidney Problems
Consulting a physician helps patients know whether they have kidney problems or common low back pain. They also help determine the main cause of the pain and prescribe different treatments or pain relief options. Talk to a doctor about the possible kidney pain if:
- Theres a constant dull aching pain or sharp flank pain.
- The location of the pain changes.
- The pain spreads to the lower abdomen or the inner thighs.
- The back pain is accompanied by other symptoms like fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, cloudy or dark-colored urine, painful urination, bloody urine, and small kidney stones in the urine.
What Are Symptoms Of Kidney Pain
Symptoms of kidney pain occur in the area of the kidneys, on the sides or middle to upper back, on one or both sides, and may be described as:
- A constant, dull ache in the sides, back, or belly
- Pain in the side
- Pain may come in waves
- Pain may radiate to the belly or groin area
Depending on the cause of the kidney pain, symptoms that may accompany it include:
Don’t Miss: How To Loosen Up Lower Back Muscles
Permanent Back Pain Relief At New York Pain Care
Looking for a pain management clinic for back pain relief? New York Pain Care is a pain management center that specializes in providing non-surgical treatments for spine and back conditions that cause acute or chronic pain.
Find out how our highly trained staff here at New York Pain Care can help you return to your pain-free life by consulting with us today. Call us at or visit our website to book an appointment.
Coronavirus: Kidney Damage Caused By Covid
COVID-19 the disease caused by the coronavirus thats led to the global pandemic is known to damage the lungs. But, as more people become infected, more understanding of the disease emerges.
Doctors and researchers are finding that this coronavirus officially called SARS-CoV-2can also cause severe and lasting harm in other organs, including the heart and kidneys. C. John Sperati, M.D., M.H.S., an expert in kidney health, discusses how the new coronavirus might affect kidney function as the illness develops and afterward as a person recovers.
You May Like: How Long Does Epidural Back Pain Last
When Back Pain Means Kidney Problems
Millions of Americans per year suffer from back pain. Often, the cause is muscular, like a strain or pulled muscle, or skeletal, like degenerative disc disease, but other times, back pain could be a symptom of something larger.
If you have back pain near the kidneys, you could have an infection or more serious condition that could need immediate attention. Our team can help patients identify kidney pain symptoms so they know when to make an appointment at Affiliated Urologists.
The kidneys can be found on both sides of the body near the top of the abdomen. They rest near the back muscles and sit just below the ribcage. This means that when patients have a kidney condition, they usually feel pain in their backs as opposed to the stomach area. Its possible for patients to only feel pain on one side of the upper back where the kidneys are. Sometimes, back pain is felt on the side of the body as well as the back.
What it means
Kidney pain could mean a wide variety of things. It could mean something as easy to treat as dehydration, but this is not typically the case. Kidney pain felt in the upper back can also be caused by a kidney infection, kidney stones, or even cancer.
What to look for
Kidney Cancer If a patient is experiencing back pain paired with loss of appetite, weight loss, or fatigue, they may have kidney cancer. However, if a patient has these symptoms, it does not always mean cancer. It could mean another, less-serious issue with the kidneys.
Lower Right Back Pain From Internal Organs
There are numerous possible sources of lower right back pain in the organs of the mid-back, abdominal, or pelvic regions. Pain may start following inflammation or irritation of an internal organ, or may be a sign of infection. These conditions will usually produce other symptoms with lower right back pain that more specifically narrow down the source.
Several common internal causes of lower right back pain include:
Read Also: Do Hot Tubs Relieve Back Pain
Symptoms Of Kidney Inflammation In Pregnancy
Symptoms of kidney inflammation in pregnancy are characterized by severe chills with a simultaneous increase in body temperature, a headache. The ache in the muscles is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, there is an increase in heart rate and shortness of breath. Increased sweating is accompanied by stabilization of body temperature. In the intervals between chills characteristic flaccid state, adynamia. Pain in the lumbar part corresponds to the side of the disease. Painful sensations increase at night, when the patient lies on the back or side of the opposite organ. Possible pain with a deep breath or cough. Bimanual palpation shows the painful tension of the abdominal muscles. Chronic inflammation of the kidneys is characterized by blunt pain in the lumbar region, which are intensified when walking or with minor physical exertion, headache, and general weakness. It should pay attention to the possibility of asymptomatic inflammation of the kidneys.
