Bruised Kidney: Symptoms And How To Treat It
Most of us are familiar with normal bruising, specifically when the skin becomes discolored and painful to the touch. What many individuals do not know, however, is that you can bruise your internal organs. More specifically, you can injure your kidneys due to trauma. A bruised kidney can be severe, requiring careful medical management. To help understand this injury, this article will discuss bruised kidneys and how they are managed.
What To Expect From A Kidney Injury Test:
Both the ultrasound and CT scan are fast and painless tests.
- During an ultrasound, a doctor places a probe on your child’s stomach to see a picture of your their organs. There is no radiation exposure with an ultrasound.
- During a CT scan, your child lies on a bed and slides through a machine, which gives the doctor multiple views of their stomach, including the top, side and front.
Bruised Kidney Try These Simple Diy Remedies For Relief
Think you might have bruised a kidney? This type of injury usually happens as a result of blunt trauma maybe you fell or were playing a sport with your grandkids and got whacked by the ball?
Any injury to a major organ is potentially serious, and you should absolutely go to your doctor if you suspect your kidney may be bruised.
That being said, there are some remedies for a bruised kidney which may prove helpful.
Your kidneys are a pair of small organs located in the back of your abdomen.1 One of their main functions is to filter liquid waste from your body, but they are also responsible for keeping blood pressure regular, helping reabsorb nutrients, and regulating fluid levels.2
Kidneys are the organs most susceptible to injury in the urinary tract.3 Though their location often protects them, kidneys can become bruised due to trauma from car accidents, falls, or contact sports. Professional football players, for example, often suffer from bruised kidneys.
Read Also: What Tea Is Good For Kidney Function
Recommended Reading: Is Cabbage Good For Kidney Stones
What Causes Kidney Injuries
A direct blow to the back most commonly causes kidney injuries. The kidneys are located in the flank, the area on the side and back of the abdomen just below the ribs. The kidneys are suspended by two connections to the rest of the body, the vascular pedicle that contains the arteries and veins that connect it to the aorta, and the ureter, that drains urine into the bladder. It is reasonably well protected by lower ribs, muscles, and fat of the body, but blunt force can cause the kidney to bruise or break . A kidney is divided into segments or poles so that each segment has its own blood supply and their urine drainage collects into the main ureter. This is helpful when the kidney is injured, since an injury to one part or segment does not doom the whole kidney.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
People often assume that sudden flank pain is caused by a pulled muscle or overexertion, and, in many cases, it is.
If the pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by urinary symptoms or signs of infections, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. This is especially true if you are experiencing high fever, chills, vomiting, or the inability to urinate.
Even if a kidney infection is mild, it can sometimes progress and lead to bacteremia if left untreated. This is a condition in which a local bacterial infection âspills overâ over into the bloodstream, causing systemic and potentially life-threatening symptoms, including irregular body temperatures, disruptions in breathing, a severe drop in blood pressure, and shock.
Given that acute pyelonephritis can strike in as little as two days, a rapid response is essential.
Get medical attention if you experience a dull, persistent pain alongside symptoms such as painful urination, chronic fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. If you are suddenly unable to urinate, this may be a sign of an obstruction in need of urgent care.
If you are pregnant, don’t assume that persistent back pain is pregnancy-related. Tell your doctor if you have a dull ache across your lower back or along the sides of your back between the ribs and hips. If accompanied by symptoms of infection or changes in urination, call your healthcare provider immediately.
Read Also: How To Avoid Getting Kidney Stones
Treatment For Bruised Kidney
Treatment depends on the cause and resulting symptoms. Before providing treatment, your doctor will perform tests to diagnose the condition and rule out other health complications.
Your doctor will look at your physical symptoms and ask about your medical history. They can then conduct imaging tests to rule out internal bleeding and further injury, such as:
In milder cases, the kidney will heal on its own within one to two weeks. Your doctor may recommend bed rest during this time to closely monitor your condition.
In more severe cases, the doctor may administer fluids to maintain blood pressure. Controlling fluid intake will also encourage urine production if she has been affected by the injury. The doctor will also address internal bleeding problems.
If your doctor cant control the bleeding, surgery may be needed.
Also Check: Is Watermelon Good For Your Kidneys
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.
You May Like: Can You See Kidney Stones When You Pass Them
What Happens If Your Stomach Is Painful To Touch
The obstruction obstructs food from travelling through the intestinal tracts and this could lead to death if left neglected. Some of the symptoms of a digestive tract blockage consist of distention, stomach painful to touch, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and the inability to have defecation.
You May Like: Miralax And Kidneys
Causes Of Acute Kidney Injury
Most cases of AKI are caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys, usually in someone who’s already unwell with another health condition.
This reduced blood flow could be caused by:
- low blood volume after bleeding, excessive vomiting or diarrhoea, or severe dehydration
- the heart pumping out less blood than normal as a result of heart failure, liver failure or
- problems with the blood vessels such as inflammation and blockage in the blood vessels within the kidneys
- certain medicines that can affect the blood supply to the kidney other medicines may cause unusual reactions in the kidney itself
AKI can also be caused by a problem with the kidney itself, such as glomerulonephritis.
This may be caused by a reaction to some drugs, infections or the liquid dye used in some types of X-rays.
It may also be the result of a blockage affecting the drainage of the kidneys, such as:
A doctor may suspect AKI if you’re:
- in an “at risk” group and suddenly fall ill
- get symptoms of AKI
AKI is usually diagnosed with a blood test to measure your levels of creatinine, a chemical waste product produced by the muscles.
If there’s a lot of creatinine in your blood, it means your kidneys are not working as well as they should.
You may also be asked to give a pee sample and an ultrasound scan of your kidneys may be done to look for any blockages.
Also Check: Does Pop Cause Kidney Stones
How Do You Know If You Have Kidney Pain
Kidney pain, or renal pain, is usually felt in your back . It can spread to other areas, like the sides, upper abdomen or groin. If you have a kidney stone, you usually feel the pain in your back, side, lower belly or groin.
Back pain due to muscle problems is usually in your lower back. Pain due to kidney problems is usually deeper and higher in your back, under your ribs.
Signs that it is a kidney problem can also include fever, vomiting, pain in your sides or painful urination.
Bruised Kidney From A Fall
I suffered a bruised kidney from a fall off a tree while playing with my friends in the neighborhood yesterday. Today in the morning, I noticed some specks of blood in my urine and I am really scared.
I am afraid to tell my parents as they could get angry with me. Is this a serious condition or will it go away on its own ? Jim
Most bruising in the abdominal area can be caused by accidental falls.
The severity of kidney bruising and injury varies depending on the degree of impact sustained on this vital organ. Blood leaking into urine is a common symptom of kidney injuries, but it is always a good idea to have a doctor or any other medical professional check you.
Your safest course of action is to book an appointment with your doctor right away. And yes, it is also important to involve your parents in this.
Also Check: How Much Sodium Is Too Much For Kidney Disease
What Is The Purpose Of This Article
The purpose of this article is to clarify exactly what the signs and symptoms are for kidney disease. And when I say the signs and symptoms of kidney disease, I mean the signs and symptoms of a kidney that has already begun to diminish in function. Therefore a urinary tract infection that has spread to the kidneys, but has not lowered the kidney function, is not applicable here .
Renal Tumors Or Cysts
Renal tumors or cysts do not typically cause pain unless the growth is advanced or the disbursement is extensive. The three most common growth abnormalities include:
- Renal adenoma: A type of benign tumor that can grow to a substantial size
- Renal cell carcinoma : A type of cancer that usually begins in the tubules of the kidneys
- Polycystic kidney disease : An inherited disorder in which benign, fluid-filled cysts proliferate throughout the kidneys
The pain would most often be unilateral and accompanied by hematuria, either visible or invisible .
If cancer is involved, persistent malaise and unexplained weight loss are telltale signs suggestive of an advanced malignancy.
PKD may also be symptom-free until such time as the formation of cysts causes structural damage to the kidney. In addition to flank pain, usually bilateral, PKD may cause progressively worsening symptoms, including headaches, high blood pressure, hematuria, abdominal pain and swelling, recurrent kidney stones, recurrent UTIs, and renal failure.
As opposed to many of the other renal conditions, PKD is associated with excessive urination rather than impaired urination. The most common form of PKD, known as autosomal dominant PKD, manifests with symptoms when patients are in their 30s and 40s. Around 10% will advance to renal failure.
Don’t Miss: What Side Of The Body Is The Kidney On
Tests Your Doctor May Use
Urinalysis, or a test of your urine, is one assessment your doctor may use. Urinalysis can help doctors see if you have microscopic amounts of blood in your urine.9 This gives them one part of the picture of your kidney injury.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also order a computerized tomography scan to check the extent of your injury. This is the most common test done to determine injuries to the kidneys. During a CT scan, the patient lies on a table while images are taken. The procedure is similar to an X-ray, but more detailed. A CT scan takes about half an hour to complete.
Your doctor may also order an angiogram, which is a kind of x-ray taken after a special dye is injected into your blood.11 Ultrasounds are also sometimes used to determine kidney injuries.12
Symptoms Of Kidney Injuries
Symptoms of a blunt kidney injury may include blood in the urine, pain or bruising in the upper abdomen or the area between the ribs and hip , marks near a kidney made by a seat belt, or pain resulting from fractures of the lower ribs. When kidney injuries are severe, low blood pressure and anemia may occur if the person loses a significant amount of blood.
Don’t Miss: Is Ayurvedic Medicine Effective For Kidney Stones
Kidney Injuries: Minor To Severe
|
The severity of kidney injuries varies widely. When an injury is minor, the kidney may only be bruised. When an injury is more severe, the kidney may be cut or torn , and urine and blood may leak into the surrounding tissue. Sometimes a blood clot forms around the kidney. If the kidney is torn from its attachment to blood vessels, bleeding may be profuse, resulting in shock or death. Most kidney injuries result in blood in the urine. |
Is A Bruised Kidney Serious
Most bruised kidney cases are minor however, some injuries can be severe. If left untreated, renal injury can lead to complications like bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, kidney failure, or kidney loss3. Therefore, if you experience trauma in this area, it is best to seek medical attention.
The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma developed a classification system to categorize bruised kidneys. These categories communicate how serious a kidney injury is and how to proceed with treatment. Based on your presentation, your provider can classify your bruised kidney into one of the five grades. A grade I bruised kidney is the least severe type of injury, while a grade V injured kidney is the most severe4.
Read Also: Is Naproxen Safe For Kidney Disease
Adpkd Treatment And Home Care
There is no cure for ADPKD, but you can treat the health problems that the disease causes and possibly prevent kidney failure. You may need:
- Medicine to prevent kidney failure. Tolvaptan can slow the decline of kidney function for adults whose disease is at risk of quickly getting worse.
- Medicines to lower your blood pressure
- Antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections
- Pain medicines
If your kidneys fail, youâll need dialysis, which uses a machine to filter your blood and remove waste, like salt, extra water, and certain chemicals. You can also get on a waiting list or receive a kidney from a living donor for a kidney transplant. Ask your doctor if thatâs a good option for you.
Its important to stay as healthy as possible to protect your kidneys and keep them working as long as you can. Follow your doctors advice carefully. You can also keep up these habits to stay well:
- Eat right. Stick to a healthy, well-balanced diet thats low in fat and calories. Try to limit salt, because it can raise your blood pressure.
- Stay active.Exercise can help control your weight and blood pressure. Just avoid any contact sports where you might injure your kidneys.
- Dont smoke. If you smoke, get help from your doctor to quit. Smoking damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, and it may create more cysts.
- Drink plenty of water.Dehydration may cause you to have more cysts.
Types Of Kidney Injuries
Kidney injuries are classified by five grades. Each grade indicates increasing severity of the injury.
- Grade 1: Subcapsular hematoma and/or renal contusion. This grade does not require surgery and causes little to no permanent damage to the kidney.
- Grade 2: Laceration 1 cm in depth without urine leakage. In this grade a small blood collection occurs around the kidney which over time will heal on its own and not require any surgery.
- Grade 3: Laceration > 1 cm without urine leakage. In this grade a small blood collection occurs around the kidney which over time can heal on its own and not require any surgery.
- Grade 4: Laceration involving the collecting system with urine leakage, injury to blood vessels going into the kidney, or injury to the kidney pelvis where the urine funnels into the ureter This grade laceration will likely require a surgical procedure depending on nature of injury. Treatment can be as simple as placement of a stent into the ureter by a urologist or exploration and repair of the kidney or even removal of the kidney.
- Grade 5: Shattered or devascularized kidney with active bleeding main renal vascular laceration or avulsion. This grade of injury requires emergency surgery and in most cases removal of the entire kidney and repair of injured blood vessels.
Also Check: Can Your Kidneys Hurt From Dehydration
Blood And Platelet Disorders
There are many genetic blood abnormalities that can cause easy bruising, Dr. Kappel says. Some are more serious than others.
Von Willebrand disease and hemophilia, for instance, are blood disorders caused by missing or defective clotting proteins , putting you more at risk for bruising.
With platelet disorders, such as thrombocytopenia, there may be an underproduction or overproduction of platelets in the body, or platelets that dont work normally. In the case of too few platelets, the body wont be able to control bleeding after experiencing physical trauma, Dr. Johnston says.
In addition to bruising easily, people with blood and platelet disorders might experience the following:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding gums
Fix it: Your doctor can order tests to assess your clotting factors and blood cell analysis if you feel youre more susceptible to bruising, Dr. Kappel says.
Depending on the type of disorder, they might recommend treatments like topical medications, iron supplements or blood transfusions.
Read Also: Does Seltzer Water Cause Kidney Stones
Recovering From A Bruised Kidney
A bruised kidney is a serious injury that often requires immediate medical attention. If the injury was minor, it can take up to two weeks for a bruised kidney to heal on its own. Even with mild symptoms, kidney injuries can progress into serious complications and may cause internal bleeding.
If you were in an accident that injured your back or abdomen, call your doctor to discuss your kidney health. Though kidney bruising can heal on its own, professional observation is important to ensure further issues dont develop.
Last medically reviewed on February 26, 2018
4 sourcescollapsed
- Kidney injury. .
Also Check: How Many Gallons In A Kidney Shaped Pool