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What Side Of The Body Is Your Kidney On

The Primary Function Of Kidneys Is To Detoxify The Blood Transform Waste Into Urine And Help Balance The Salts And Minerals In The Body

Kidney Disease and Dialysis | Health | Biology | FuseSchool

Kidneys are vital organs shaped like kidney beans, each about 10-15cm in length and located on either of the spine, deep in the abdomen. Their primary function is to detoxify the blood, transform waste into urine, and help balance the salts and minerals in the body. When the kidneys do not function properly, harmful toxins and excess fluids accumulate, causing kidney failure symptoms. A growing body of research indicates that kidney disease is more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, says Dr. Preet Pal Thakur, co founder, Glamyo Health.

Impact of RA on the Kidneys

The systemic inflammation that causes arthritis can impair other organs in your body, including your heart, lungs, and kidneys. Unchecked inflammation may harm blood vessel lining cells and make a significant contribution to atherosclerosis, an ailment in which plaque gets accumulate inside renal arteries of your kidneys. Amyloidosis is another probable kidney concern for individuals with long-term, poorly managed rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms appear when an abnormal protein termed amyloid accumulates in your kidneys, adds Dr Thakur. According to research, RA patients are more susceptible to developing glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory condition of the kidneys filtering units that can disrupt normal kidney function and lead to kidney failure.

  • Inflammation it affects the Kidney blood vessels
  • Medication some medications can result in Kidney troubles

What Causes An Ectopic Kidney

An ectopic kidney is a birth defect that happens while the fetus is developing. Researchers dont know exactly what causes most birth defects, including ectopic kidney.

An ectopic kidney may result from

  • a poorly developed kidney bud
  • a problem in the kidney tissue that directs the developing kidney where to move
  • a genetic defect that causes a genetic disorder
  • an illness, infection, or drug or chemical reaction during fetal growth

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How Do I Know If Its Kidney Pain

It can be hard to distinguish between kidney pain and back pain.

Back pain is more common than kidney pain. In general, back pain will be related to your muscles, occurs lower in your back, and causes a consistent ache.

If its kidney pain, itll likely be higher, near your ribs. You may feel waves of severe pain and possibly have a fever. The pain may also be stronger on one side.

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What Does It Feel Like When Your Kidneys Hurt

People often mistake kidney pain for back pain. But there are some key differences between kidney pain and how it feels compared to back pain.

Kidney pain vs back pain

Back pain usually affects the middle of your back, over your spine, and most commonly in the lower back. Spine-related issues can also cause back pain to sometimes radiate down your legs.

In comparison, kidney pain is typically located higher on your back and it often feels deeper. Most of the time, kidney pain symptoms occur under your ribs, to the right or left of your spine. Kidney pain may also radiate to other areas, such as your abdomen or groin. Sometimes, hip pain is confused with kidney pain, but hip pain is lower down in your back than kidney pain.

Causes Of Kidney Pain

Kidney Location On Your Body

Kidney pain is a sign that theres something affecting one or both of your kidneys. Your kidney may hurt for these reasons:

Depending on the condition thats causing your kidney pain, you may be able to treat it with home remedies, medications, or surgery.

Conditions such as kidney stones and cysts sometimes resolve on their own.

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Visit The Spine & Rehab Group For Spinal Pain

If youre experiencing severe symptoms of back pain, its best to consult with a doctor immediately.

With over 15 years of experience, our doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group can help diagnose and alleviate your spinal pain with non-surgical but effective treatment plans. For a healthy spine, book an appointment online with any of our NY and NJ locations today.

Kidney Pain Location And Sensation

Most people tend to associate pain in the area between the ribs and hips as either digestive problems or muscular back pain. However, kidney pain isnt always felt in the same place as the kidneys location.

Dr. Charles Patrick Davis on MedicineNet explains that renal or flank pain can be felt anywhere between the lowest rib and the buttocks. The pain may also radiate to the groin or abdominal area. Depending on the underlying cause of the kidney pain, you may feel the pain in just the left or right side of your back. However, sometimes kidney pain affects both sides of the back.3

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What Else Do Kidneys Do

Kidneys are always busy. Besides filtering the blood and balancing fluids every second during the day, the kidneys constantly react to hormones that the brain sends them. Kidneys even make some of their own hormones. For example, the kidneys produce a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells.

Now you know what the kidneys do and how important they are. Maybe next Valentines Day, instead of the same old heart, you can give your parents a special card featuring the kidneys!

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What Do Kidneys Do

8 Signs that Your Kidneys Need Help

One of the main jobs of the kidneys is to filter the waste out of the blood. How does the waste get in your blood? Well, your blood delivers nutrients to your body. Chemical reactions in the cells of your body break down the nutrients. Some of the waste is the result of these chemical reactions. Some is just stuff your body doesn’t need because it already has enough. The waste has to go somewhere this is where the kidneys come in.

First, blood is carried into the kidneys by the renal artery . The average person has 1 to 1½ gallons of blood circulating through his or her body. The kidneys filter that blood about 40 times a day! More than 1 million tiny filters inside the kidneys remove the waste. These filters, called nephrons , are so small you can see them only with a high-powered microscope.

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Kidney Pain: Location Causes And When To Get Help

It can be very difficult to separate back pain from kidney pain.

This is because your kidneys sit in your mid-back below your ribs on either side of your spine.

Kidney pain has several causes, including infection, injury, or other medical problems like kidney stones or cancer.

If your kidneys are causing pain, there is a problem, and you should see your primary care clinician.

This article talks about kidney pain and where you may feel the pain. It also discusses why your kidneys may be in pain and how your medical provider will diagnose the problem.

Lastly, read through some commonly asked questions about kidney pain.

When Should I See My Doctor About Kidney Pain

You should see your doctor immediately if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

If you suddenly experience severe kidney pain, with or without blood in your urine, you should seek emergency medical care. Sudden, severe pain can often be a sign of a blood clot or hemorrhage, and you should be evaluated immediately.

Dr. Rondon says if you notice symptoms like a change in your urines color, a fever, or if your pain doesnt improve, seek a doctor. For emergency situations, you should go to the emergency department. For other situations, contact your primary care physician for a referral to a nephrologist or urologist.

For more information on kidney pain, talk to your doctor or visit the UPMC kidney disease webpage. Do you have flank pain? Check out our article on the 3 Common Causes of Flank Pain to learn more.

American Kidney Fund, Kidney Pain

Anton J. Bueschen, Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations, 3rd Edition, Flank Pain

National Kidney Foundation, 3 Early Signs of Kidney Disease

National Kidney Foundation, How Your Kidneys Work

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Could Nephrotic Syndrome Be Prevented

It is not possible to prevent all the causes of nephrotic syndrome. To prevent harm to the glomeruli:

Ensure your blood pressure is all around controlled.

In case you have diabetes, ensure your sugar is controlled.

Keep yourself updated with vaccines that help to prevent common infections. If you live or work around people who are having hepatitis or other viral infections, then you must have to take care.

Finish all antibiotics as directed by the doctor. Try not to stop your antibiotics since you might be feeling much improved.

Kidney And Flank Pain Causes

Kidney Hurts For Months

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.

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Pregnancy And Kidney Pain

Pregnancy can sometimes cause kidney pain. Being pregnant puts you at a greater risk of developing a urinary tract infection or blood clots all which can cause a sensation of pain in your middle back.

Dr. Melissa Conrad Stöppler on MedicineNet, says that during pregnancy the uterus becomes enlarged and the urine flows slower. You could even experience vesicoureteral reflux where urine flows back up the urinary tract. This means that it is easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract and spread the infection to the kidneys.14

How To Know The Difference Between Kidney Pain And Back Pain

Kidney pain is a dull or sharp pain in the flank region. The pain can be on the right or left side of the body where the kidneys are located. The kidneys are located on each side of the spine in the back of the abdomen, underneath the ribcage. Thats why kidney pain is usually confused with back pain. In this post, we want to explore the main distinction between kidney pain and back pain.

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Who’s Most Likely To Get A Kidney Infection

Women and children are most at risk of developing a kidney infection, as well as other urinary tract infections such as cystitis.

Other factors can also put you more at risk of developing a kidney infection, including:

  • having a condition that blocks, or obstructs, your urinary tract, such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate children with constipation can also be at an increased risk
  • being born with an abnormality in your urinary tract
  • having a condition that prevents you emptying your bladder fully, such as an injury to your spinal cord this can allow bacteria in your bladder to multiply and spread
  • having a weakened immune system for example, due to type 2 diabetes or as a side effect of chemotherapy
  • having an infection of the prostate gland called prostatitis the infection can spread from the prostate gland into the kidneys
  • having a urinary catheter
  • being female and sexually active sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra and allow bacteria to travel into your bladder
  • being pregnant this can cause physical changes that slow the flow of urine out of your body and make it easier for bacteria to spread to the kidneys
  • having undergone female genital mutilation an illegal practice where a woman’s genitals are deliberately cut or changed for cultural, religious and social reasons

What Are The Kidneys

A Kidney Stretch: Exercise your organs

The kidneys are two organs whose major functions are to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body and to produce hormones that regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, acid regulation, influence calcium, sodium, potassium, and other electrolyte metabolism.

Each kidney contains around a million units called nephrons, each of which is a microscopic filter for blood. It’s possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without experiencing any symptoms or problems.

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Does Kidney Failure Cause Pain

A progressive of kidney ailments causes kidney failure . Often irreversible, kidney failure is detectable through symptomatic causes that can be treated early but if progressed, the only remedy for kidney failures is transplants and dialysis. Owing to the fact that there may just be one kidney malfunction, the obvious symptoms may not be present and thus will go undetected. You will know it is chronic when both kidneys are affected .

  • There may be little or no pain at this stage, directed exactly at the kidneys but because of the effects of a kidney failure, pains may be around the thoracic region due to fluids building up and shortness in breathing.
  • In the initial phase culminating to kidney failure, there is the kidney pains associated with either each back pain or both sides of the spinal region.
  • If the pains are related to infections, there will definitely be abdominal pains and if the kidney pains are as a result of kidney stones, most definitely severe pains in these kidney regions.
  • Since it is rarely accompanied by pain, kidney failure will mostly be noticeable by
  • References

  • Charles Patrick Davis P. Kidney Pain: Get the Facts About Symptoms and Causes . MedicineNet. 2015 . Available from: http://www.medicinenet.com/kidney_pain/article.htm
  • Nhs.uk. Chronic kidney disease NHS Choices . 2015 . Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Kidney-disease-chronic/pages/introduction.aspx
  • Webmd.com/news/20151105/early-warning-sign-for-kidney-disease-identified-in-study
  • Signs Of Acute Pyelonephritis

    Acute pyelonephritis is a painful bacterial infection of the kidneys which occurs when bacteria enter the urethra, move into the bladder, travel up the ureters and affect the kidneys. It is usually caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli, but can sometimes be caused by other bacteria.

    Acute pyelonephritis is a common kidney problem in females, especially those between the ages of 15 and 29. The condition is rare among males, although it is more common in men over the age of 65 or men with anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. It can, however, affect people of any age. Although it is quite uncomfortable, acute pyelonephritis is seldom a cause of long term kidney problems. Some underlying conditions can increase the risk of developing acute pyelonephritis. These include:

    • Urinating painfully or with difficulty
    • Producing no urine
    • Low blood pressure, which can manifest as dizziness and/or faintness

    In men and women older than 65, the above-mentioned symptoms may be absent, and additional symptoms may include:

    Good to know: In babies and toddlers, the only sign of acute pyelonephritis may be a high fever.

    For more information, consult this resource on acute pyelonephritis. If you are worried that you or a loved one may have pyelonephritis, you can do a symptom assessment with Ada.

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    Signs Of Kidney Disease

  • You’re more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired, weak and can make it hard to concentrate. Another complication of kidney disease is anemia, which can cause weakness and fatigue.
  • You’re having trouble sleeping. When the kidneys aren’t filtering properly, toxins stay in the blood rather than leaving the body through the urine. This can make it difficult to sleep. There is also a link between obesity and chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea is more common in those with chronic kidney disease, compared with the general population.
  • You have dry and itchy skin. Healthy kidneys do many important jobs. They remove wastes and extra fluid from your body, help make red blood cells, help keep bones strong and work to maintain the right amount of minerals in your blood.Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of the mineral and bone disease that often accompanies advanced kidney disease, when the kidneys are no longer able to keep the right balance of minerals and nutrients in your blood.
  • You feel the need to urinate more often. If you feel the need to urinate more often, especially at night, this can be a sign of kidney disease. When the kidneys filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in the urge to urinate. Sometimes this can also be a sign of a urinary infection or enlarged prostate in men.
  • How Do You Know If You Have Kidney Pain

    Kidney Pain Location, Causes, Symptoms

    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.

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