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Does My Back Hurt Or My Kidneys

What Does Alcoholic Neuropathy Feel Like

Is Your Back Pain Due to Your Kidneys? | The Cooking Doc®

Alcoholic neuropathy is a condition where your nerves become damaged due to alcohol misuse. The condition is characterized by pain and muscle weakness. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe pain medications to help manage the symptoms. Medications may also include antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Your doctor may also prescribe medications that help control seizures. You may also need to undergo physical therapy. Physiotherapy helps you regain balance and muscle strength. It may also involve using orthotic devices such as a stair lift.

Symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can be difficult to identify. However, they are similar to those of drunkenness. In fact, they can even mimic the symptoms of a hangover. If you think that you may have alcohol-related neuropathy, you should see a doctor.

Alcoholic neuropathy affects your nerves, causing pain and muscle weakness. This condition often develops after long periods of heavy alcohol consumption. Other factors, including nutritional deficiencies, may cause this condition. While alcoholic neuropathy is a chronic condition, it can be treated and cured. The first step is to limit alcohol consumption. You may also want to take vitamin supplements to ensure your body gets the nutrition it needs.

What Is A Kidney Infection

A kidney infection, medically known as pyelonephritis, is a common type of urinary tract infection , caused when bacteria have entered the bodys urinary tract and traveled from the bladder into one or both kidneys. Since a kidney infection commonly develops from an untreated bladder infection, the two share the same signs and symptoms.

Common urinary tract infection signs and symptoms include:

  • Bad smelling urine

What Are Common Kidney Pain Symptoms

People with kidney pain may experience different symptoms. Some of the most common kidney pain symptoms include:

  • A constant, dull ache in your back.
  • Pain in your sides, under your rib cage or in your abdomen.
  • Severe or sharp pain that comes in waves.
  • Pain that spreads to your groin area.
  • Kidney pain is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting, especially if the pain is due to kidney stones.

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Type And Severity Of Pain

Muscle pain feels like a dull ache or soreness. Certain body movements can trigger or worsen muscle pain, the intensity of which can range from mild to severe and may fluctuate in response to stretching.

People with nerve pain may experience a burning or stabbing sensation that travels to other areas of the body.

Sciatica is a form of nerve pain that affects the back. People develop sciatica when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or compressed, which causes a burning pain in the lower back that radiates through the buttocks.

Bone pain can result from vertebral fractures or an irregularly shaped spine. This type of pain comes on suddenly. Bone pain ranges from moderate to severe and usually worsens in response to movement.

Difference Between Back Pain And Kidney Pain

Kidney Pain Location, Causes, Symptoms

The kidneys are organs that sit on both sides of the body, right below the rib cage. They rest against the back muscles, which can make it difficult to tell whether youre experiencing kidney pain or back pain. However, you can distinguish one from the other by looking at where the pain is located, how severe the pain is, and what the accompanying signs are.

So what is the difference between back pain and kidney pain? Kidney pain often affects a higher area of the back compared to back problems which tend to occur on the lumbar spine. If your kidney has a problem, the pain wont go away until it is resolved. On the other hand, back pain can lessen when you adjust the position of your body or if you rest for a couple of days.

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When Is It Back Pain Vs Kidney Pain

The kidneys are an amazing filtration system and play a crucial role in our overall health. Similarly, keeping ourselves healthy also ensures that our kidneys work properly. When the kidneys do not work as they should, they can cause pain and discomfort. However, diagnosing kidney pain is not something that can be done simply by assessing the location of the pain. There are other organs and structures that can trigger pain receptors in that area.

Before we get a little deeper into kidney pain, we must discuss exactly where the kidneys are located. Many people are surprised to know how high up they are. If you drop your arms to your side, your kidneys are somewhere at the level of your elbows, or slightly higher. This may help you understand that many cases of back pain simply do not originate in the kidneys.

Treatment For Kidney Stones

Most treatment plans for kidney stones involve pain medications and lots of fluids to encourage the passing of the stone. In most cases, kidney stones dont need surgery.

However, a doctor may perform a minor procedure called lithotripsy if larger kidney stones cant easily exit your body during urination. Lithotripsy involves the use of high frequency sound waves to break up the kidney stones so they can pass through the ureters.

The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. A doctor may also use other surgical techniques to remove the stones.

Depending on your level of pain, a doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription pain-relief medications. More severe cases may require a hospital stay.

Talk with your doctor if you continue to experience intense or prolonged flank pain even after treatment.

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Causes Of Kidney Infection

A kidney infection usually happens when bacteria, often a type called E. coli, get into the tube that carries urine out of your body .

The bacteria travel up to your bladder, causing cystitis, and then up into your kidneys.

E. coli bacteria normally live in your bowel, where they cause no harm.

They can be transferred from your bottom to your genitals during sex or if youre not careful when wiping your bottom after going to the loo.

A kidney infection can sometimes develop without a bladder infection. For example, if you have a problem with your kidney, such as kidney stones, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

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Reasons You’re Waking Up With Back Pain

Could your back pain be KIDNEYS?

Lower back pain can be difficult to manage whether you have an active job or find yourself sitting at a desk all day, it can be uncomfortable and even debilitating if you cant perform certain actions without trouble. If your lower back pain is bad in the morning but eases throughout the day, it could be your kidneys suffering not your muscles.

Many people are unaware of where their kidneys are. The kidneys sit either side of your spine, just below your ribs. Often, those suffering with kidney pain will put it down to a sore back, when really they should be taking care of their kidneys and making sure they are well hydrated.

Unhappy kidneys can cause a lot of pain. If you dont make sure to stay hydrated then your kidneys will suffer, as their main role is to filter the blood and excrete waste products through urine. Without sufficient water, waste products wont be eliminated as effectively and various healthy issues can arise, such as recurrent urinary tract infections.

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Whats The Process Of The Kidney Disease Solution Program Work

The cookbook, ebook, and audio materials guide users in the treatment process step-by-step. The book contains tips on altering your lifestyle to improve your kidney health. At the same time, the cookbook provides special recipes for supporting kidney health and function. Additionally, it offers various natural remedies to aid in the treatment of your problem.

The audio materials provide guided meditation and exercises along with Morning yoga flows. The guided meditation audio is effective in relieving stress and improving sleep quality. Morning yoga flow exercises, led by renowned yogini Antonella Milo, are designed to energize you for the day while supporting kidney health.

The overall collection of resources offers a complete and natural approach to treating kidney disease. Through simple lifestyle changes and releasing stress through meditation, and practicing yoga exercises, you will be able to be rid of the discomfort and pain caused by kidney disease.

You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

This leads me to my first point: not drinking enough water is the most obvious cause of dehydration and, thus, painful kidneys. If were getting the full 8 hours of sleep every night, obviously our bodies will become dehydrated. This long interval between drinking might be even longer if you avoid drinking too close to bedtime because you worry about needing the loo during the night.

So, its important to rehydrate your body as soon as you wake up in the morning. However, water isnt usually the first thing on our minds when we wake up on a dark Monday morning with a full week of work ahead. A strong coffee or tea is usually our first point of call! This means that your kidneys could be suffering for a long time if you dont think about drinking water until later on in the morning, or even lunch time.

Your lower back pain might be bad enough on an average weekday morning, but a long lie on the weekend can exacerbate the issue even more, as your body is waiting even longer for that precious liquid. Plus, alcohol consumed the night before wont help matters, as this will increase the rate at which you pee while drinking, and can leave you even more dehydrated the next morning.

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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:

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.

Bonus #: Free Lifetime Updates

Free For Health: Kidney Pain Causes

The creators regularly make improvements to the program based on the most recent research and medical breakthroughs. After you have purchased the program, youll have lifetime access to any future updates and enhancements for free. All customers will receive priority access to the latest innovations.

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Kidney Pain Vs Back Pain: How To Differentiate

According to various data banks, the overall prevalence of low back pain was found to be 42% in India. Kidney problems too result in back pain which may be a little different from musculoskeletal back pain. In todays write up we will find out how to differentiate between the two.

Each person has got a pair of kidneys located posteriorly on the lower side of the abdomen. The kidney purifies blood for nutrients and discharges urine.

How to differentiate kidney pain from general backache:

  • Location As is the location of kidneys the pain will be felt on the posterior lower side of the abdomen usually on one side . It may rarely occur on both sides too.
  • Musculoskeletal back pain is usually felt around the lumbar region, it may pain while muscles are touched. However musculoskeletal back pain can be felt all through the back as well.

  • Radiation of pain Kidney pain may radiate to the inner thigh or lower abdomen.
  • Musculoskeletal back pain due to disc or nerve impingement may radiate to buttocks, back of the thigh, laterally to leg and ankles too.

  • Type of pain Mostly a constant steep pain or dull aching pain. The kidney stone pain may vary as the stone moves
  • The musculoskeletal back pain is mostly coming and going, peaking after high-intensity work and better with rest. Pain here too is dull aching.

  • The severity of pain Mostly a constant steep severs pain or mild aching pain .
  • The musculoskeletal back pain is not very severe.

  • Symptoms of both:
  • Who Is At Risk Of A Kidney Infection

    Certain medical conditions may increase your chances of having a kidney infection. These include:

    • Conditions that may weaken the bodys immunity, such as diabetes and HIV.
    • Frequent bladder or other urinary tract infections . A UTI in a pregnant female is a particularly serious condition and should be immediately brought to medical attention.
    • Structural problems in the kidney that may alter the flow of urine, such as kidney stones, congenital structural problems of the urinary tract, and tumors present inside or outside the urinary tract.
    • Females are at greater risk of a UTI since they have a shorter urethra compared to males.

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    Pain In The Left Side Under Ribs

    A pain in the left side of the body under your ribs may cause you panic because of the possibility that it is heart-related pain. While it is true that left sided rib cage pain could be a sign of angina or another serious cardiac issue, there are other reasons for such pain.

    Your heart is located under your ribs, slightly to the left of your middle chest. If heart-related issues cause chest pain, this will feel like tight squeezing, pressure, or chest tightness under the left rib cage. Usually, the pain will spread to your left arm, jaw, and neck.

    However, your left lung, spleen, and left kidney are also protected by the left rib cage. Any condition affecting these organs will result in mild to severe aches and pains under your left ribs.

    Of course, blunt trauma to your left ribs or pulling a muscle will result in localized pain in the left side. You might also notice that your ribs are tender or sore to touch.

    Could My Lower Back Pain Be Related To My Kidneys

    Where Do You Feel Kidney Pain In The Back?

    Lower back pain is rarely caused by a kidney problem, but its common to mistake lower back pain for kidney pain. Kidney problems are easier to identify through other symptoms, like pain when you urinate. Rather than being kidney-related, your lower back pain is more likely caused by a musculoskeletal problem such as a strain¹ or slipped disk.

    Mistaking kidney pain for back pain is common, but you should talk to your doctor if in doubt. They can determine what is causing your pain, reassure you, and help you get better.

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    Kidney And Flank Pain Causes

    A number of different infections or injuries can cause kidney or flank pain. The most common causes include:

    • Kidney stones: Masses made up of crystals that form in your urine and build up in your kidneys that can cause severe pain, especially during urination. They can be passed manually or, in more serious cases, removed surgically.
    • Pyelonephritis An infection caused by bacteria traveling up from the bladder or from the blood into the kidneys.
    • Polycystic kidney disease : A genetic disease in which normal kidney tissue is replaced by cysts, PKD can cause the kidney to stop working.
    • Kidney infarction: A rare condition in which kidney blood flow is disrupted. This can lead to acute kidney injury, decreased kidney function, kidney disease, and death.
    • Hemorrhage of the kidney: A bleed in the kidney, possible from multiple causes.
    • Kidney canceror tumor: Benign or cancerous masses in the kidney. Kidney cancer is found most often in older adults, with more men affected than women.
    • Renal vein thrombosis: A clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidneys.

    In addition to kidney problems, upper back and side pain also can be caused by physical injury, arthritis, or gallbladder or gastrointestinal diseases. Its important to know when to seek care.

    What Procedures And Tests Diagnose Kidney Diseases

    The doctor usually will do a history and physical examination. Initial tests usually consist of a complete blood count , kidney function , and urine test, and when appropriate, a pregnancy test. A lacerated kidney may be suspected if the person has experienced a traumatic injury to the lower back.

    If kidney stones are suspected, a CT exam or renal ultrasound is done an abdominal X-ray may be ordered but has been replaced in general by ultrasound and CT. As patients with kidney stones often need repeat X-ray studies or have repeat episodes of kidney stones, ultrasound with its lack of radiation is a good study to consider. Abdominal/pelvic CTs with contrast or magnetic resonance imaging and aortogram may be ordered to further define or differentiate underlying kidney and nonrenal causes of flank pain. Such studies are routinely performed if a kidney is suspected to be damaged by a traumatic event .

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    Kidney Health Grocery Shopping List

    It is a great addition to the cookbook as well as a meal plan. The main ingredient to have having a healthy kidney is diet, so you need to substitute unhealthy food items with healthier ones. This guide can help you select the most nutritious foods next time you are shopping for groceries. It lists out what foods to eat and what you should avoid to boost kidney function.

    What Can You Expect When You See Your Doctor About Kidney Pain

    Kidney Discomfort

    If youre going to see the doctor about regular musculoskeletal back soreness, your M.D. is most likely going to perform a physical exam to figure out whats causing the problem. And if they think its a more serious issue, they may order an ultrasound or some other type of imaging.

    A kidney evaluation may involve more testing, however.

    First, theyll ask you about your symptoms and if youve had any history of kidney problems in the past or family members with kidney disease. Then they will palpate the area over your kidneys and check your blood pressure and your temperature.

    After that, theyll ask you to pee in a cup. This is called a urinalysis. With this test, your doctor is looking to see whether or not they see microscopic blood or smaller crystals. And depending on how sick you are, they may also order some blood tests to check for other signs of infection and see how well the kidneys are actually doing to clear toxins, says Dr. Rajan.

    If your doctor is very concerned, they might do an ultrasound to look at the structure of your kidneys and check for stones.

    Physicians often prescribe antibiotics for UTIs, and in the case of a small kidney stone, they may just recommend drinking more water and taking pain meds until the stone passes. But more serious or complicated conditions could require other procedures, so its important to see your doc to receive the proper assessment and treatment.

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