What Do My Kidneys Have To Do With My Back
In truth, your kidneys have little to do with your back or its functions. Your kidneys are located below your rib cage, on both sides of your spinal cord. They are two bean-shaped organs that help to keep your bloodstream clean by filtering your blood for waste products, excess water, and acids. They create urine and help to maintain the balance of minerals and water in your blood. Kidneys also help manage your blood pressure by producing vitamin D and erythropoietin, both of which are used in the production of red blood cells.
If your kidneys are damaged, or if you have an illness that affects your kidneys, you might feel pain in your kidneys. If youre experiencing back pain, there are some key symptoms to watch for.
What Are The Causes Of Back Pain And Kidney Pain
Back pain most often occurs when the back is overworked, strained, or frequently subjected to poor posture.
Kidney pain has five major causes :
1. Kidney stones
These are hard deposits of minerals and salts that can form in your kidneys and create some excruciating blockage. If theyre very small stones, they may flush out without any pain, says Santiago. If they are larger, the pain is fairly sharp, and it tends to come in waves. In other words, the pain tends to get worse when the stone moves.
Its also typically one-sided, adds Santiago. You dont typically get bad stones on both sides at the same time.
2. A UTI gone too far
Sometimes a urinary tract infection can get out of hand as the harmful bacteria crawl their way through the bladder and up to the kidneys.
With a kidney infection, it’s going to be that dull, continuous pain, says Santiago. UTIs that turn into kidney infections are also more likely to cause fever, chills, and nausea.
3. Trauma
Fortunately, your kidneys are guarded by your ribcage and tough back muscles, so kidney injuries arent super common. But if youre into contact sports, happen to be in an accident, or end up in any situation where you take an extremely hard blow to the flank, you could do some organ damage.
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease
5. Kidney tumor
Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is generally without symptoms and painless in its early stages, except in situations where an underlying condition causes pain. Chronic kidney disease takes a long time to develop. If the affected personâs symptoms develop over a number of hours or a few days, it is more likely that the kidney problem they are experiencing is acute kidney injury .
Chronic kidney disease is a common disorder, with an estimated 1 in 10 people in the US having some degree of the disorder. Chronic kidney disease can occur at any age, but is more common in the elderly, and it is more common in women than in men. In the elderly, CKD is often a result of ageing rather than an underlying disorder.
A diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is often made only in the later stages of the disorder. In the early stages, the disorder may not cause disturbances that can be clinically measured. Symptoms only appear later, and once they do, the affected person will be tested by a physician to confirm that CKD is present.
Some conditions predispose people to chronic kidney disease. These include:
- Nosebleeds
- Rash
If these symptoms appear, seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Seek emergency help if you experience problems with breathing or pain in your chest area, canât stay awake despite trying or canât keep fluids down at all.
For more information on chronic kidney disease, read this resource on chronic renal failure.
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Can Dehydration Cause Kidney Pain
Dehydration is the root cause of Kidney stones and Chronic Kidney Diseases. Water is the lifeline. Pure water decides our blood and toxic wastes purification and acts as a river to eliminate from our body. Your body should be hydrated at least 1 hour before going to bedtime or any activity.
Drinking enough water provides Oxygen, Energy, and acts as a transporter at a cellular level. Besides this, drinking Hot water or Lukewarm water is the best option for any patient he/she may be a kidney patient or diabetic patient. It helps in the purification process.
Various Types Of Kidney Pain
There are several types of pains attributed to the kidney, most of which are in the back area of your body and often in the upper region near the rib cage areas, just above the hips. Unlike the lower back pains that are most severe
- Most kidney pains will be dull
- Felt on either side of the spine region.
- However, the pain can be quite painful especially when there is presence of kidney lacerations or kidney stones.
- One paramount difference with other back pains is that all kidney pains will be accompanied by high fevers, nausea and in some cases lead to vomiting.
- The pains caused by kidney stones will be wavy-like, moving from the upper backside to the front hip area .
- Unlike back pains that will restrict back movements, severe kidney pains are comparable to Labour pains, affecting the movement of every other part of the body.
- With back pains, one feels the pain on simple movements of the body it actually becomes difficult to move. Kidney pains will be delayed after a move although in severe cases, the pain may be more elaborated and affect the body movements or exercises.
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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.
Dietary Calcium And Kidney Stones
Only lower your calcium intake below that of a normal diet if instructed by your doctor. Decreased calcium intake is only necessary in some cases where absorption of calcium from the bowel is high.
A low-calcium diet has not been shown to be useful in preventing the recurrence of kidney stones and may worsen the problem of weak bones. People with calcium-containing stones may be at greater risk of developing weak bones and osteoporosis. Discuss this risk with your doctor.
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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 feels like:
- 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:
Why Do My Kidneys Hurt When I Wake Up
This problem is significantly related to Kidney patients only. If you have any kidney-related issues recently or in the past, your mind should ask you about Why Do My Kidneys Hurt at Night. And on the next morning, when you wake up, you will feel as same as night pain.
It could be the consequence of more prolonged disease in kidneys like a Kidney stone, Chronic Kidney Diseases. In this scenario, the patient would have developed high blood pressure also, as doctors could have prescribed him/her a medicine called Diuretics.
Sometimes increased blood sugar and blood pressure also an indication of hurting kidneys during the wake-up time.
To avoid such situations, always drink Hot water or lukewarm water 1 hour before bed at night and in the morning immediately when you wake-up. The suggestion of this trick is from Indian Ayurvedic Treatment. Try this and let me know by commenting below.
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How Can I Repair My Kidneys Naturally
Eat Healthy and Fresh fruits
Drink Lemon Water and some time Coconut water.
Eat Apple, Cranberries, Blueberries, etc.
Dont Smoke and Quit it as soon as possible
Limit alcohol consumption
Do daily 20 min exercise and yoga if possible.
Be slim and fit as much as you can. Not too skinny, but fit for any work if given.
Avoid late sleeping or get enough sleep.
If you are a married person, do regular sex if you can, it indirectly helps a lot.
Control your Blood Pressure
What Do The Kidneys Do In Our Body
Kidney is considered as one of the major organs of the body. This is because of its important role in various functions that keep us in healthy condition. The major functions of it include the following.
- Maintenance of fluid volume within the body.
- Maintenance of acid-base equilibrium within the body.
- Blood is purified of waste products, chemicals and toxins by the kidneys.
- Electrolytes such as Sodium, potassium and chloride are kept in the required amount in body with the help of the kidneys.
- Kidneys are also known to produce hormones and chemicals required for information transmission through nerves.
This article will discuss a bit more about the anatomy of the kidney as well as possible causes for kidney pain.
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Kidney Stones Or Nephrolithiasis
Kidney stones are normally made up of hard collections of minerals which form in the renal system. These stones may stay in the kidneys for quite a while. They often become painful when they move out of the kidney into the ureter. The pain is often described as a strong colicky pain, usually felt in the ureter between the kidney and the bladder. Kidney stones can be extremely painful.
Colicky, strong to very strong pain coming in waves, is the most obvious symptoms of kidney stones. The location of the pain and where it spreads to gives clues as to where the stone is currently located in the urinary system. The pain of a kidney stone passing through the urinary system is felt suddenly and severely in the flank and spreads down the groin on the same side. Not all stones cause radiating pain. Some stones may not cause any pain.
Good to know: Pain from kidney stones is often described as excruciating. Kidney pain from kidney stones can come and go. It can occur in bouts lasting between 20 minutes and an hour. People with painful kidney stones often cannot keep still because of the discomfort. They are often pale and sweaty, with a painful, tender abdomen.
Other symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Nausea
Why Do My Kidneys Hurt At Night
Most health-conscious people searching on google about Why Do My Kidneys Hurt at Night? Here, I have researched and reviewed some points.
This article will review some points about why kidneys hurt or Kidney pain and when to call it a Back Pain or any other pain.
Now its time to wake up all people to know the Reality. If it is a Kidney pain, then what should we do? Else, what will be the possibility to Identify getting pain?
Before that, we should understand some basics, as quoted below.
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Going A Small Amount At A Time
Large kidney stones sometimes get stuck in a ureter. This blockage can slow or stop the flow of urine.
If you have a blockage, you may only urinate a little bit each time you go. Urine flow that stops entirely is a medical emergency.
Its common for people with a kidney stone to have nausea and vomiting .
These symptoms happen because of shared nerve connections between the kidneys and GI tract . Stones in the kidneys can trigger nerves in the GI tract, setting off an upset stomach.
The nausea and vomiting can also be your bodys way of responding to intense pain .
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:
- Confusion
- Jumbled speech
- Hallucinations
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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Passing Of Kidney Stones
A lot of kidney stones will eventually leave your body by passing from the kidneys to the ureters to the bladder and out through your urine. This is the route your urine takes a trip every day. A stone going through this path can cause pain.
Passing a kidney stone can take a few days to a number of weeks. For this factor, the majority of medical professionals advise passing the stone or stones at home.
Your doctor might recommend anti-nausea or pain medications for you to take while youre attempting to pass the stone. Drinking more water can likewise help you eliminate your urinary system, but do not exaggerate it. Consuming 2 to 3 quarts of water per day must be enough.
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.
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Prevention Of Future Stones
Once your health care provider finds out why you are forming stones, he or she will give you tips on how to prevent them. This may include changing your diet and taking certain medications. There is no âone-size-fits-allâ diet for preventing kidney stones. Everyone is different. Your diet may not be causing your stones to form. But there are dietary changes that you can make to stop stones from continuing to form.
Diet Changes
Drink enough fluids each day.
If you are not producing enough urine, your health care provider will recommend you drink at least 3 liters of liquid each day. This equals about 3 quarts . This is a great way to lower your risk of forming new stones. Remember to drink more to replace fluids lost when you sweat from exercise or in hot weather. All fluids count toward your fluid intake. But itâs best to drink mostly no-calorie or low-calorie drinks. This may mean limiting sugar-sweetened or alcoholic drinks.
Knowing how much you drink during the day can help you understand how much you need to drink to produce 2.5 liters of urine. Use a household measuring cup to measure how much liquid you drink for a day or two. Drink from bottles or cans with the fluid ounces listed on the label. Keep a log, and add up the ounces at the end of the day or 24-hour period. Use this total to be sure you are reaching your daily target urine amount of at least 85 ounces of urine daily.
Reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
Eat the recommended amount of calcium.
Can Kidney Stone Symptoms Come And Go
The length of time a stone can hang around is the primary reason that a person may feel like kidney stone symptoms come and go.
Once you start feeling the pain of a kidney stone, it can take anywhere between one to four weeks for the stone to actually pass. In the meantime, the pain can seem sporadic. Heres why:
During a bout of kidney stones, the initial pain is typically caused by the stone making its way through your very narrow ureter tube. There can also be pain if the stone lodges itself there and blocks urine flow out of the kidney, which results in pressure buildup and painful swelling, explains Dr. Kannady.
As your body tries to move the kidney stone through your ureter, some of your pain may also be from the waves of contractions used to force the kidney stone out. The pain may also move as the kidney stone moves along your urinary tract.
Once the stone makes it to your bladder, the pain might subside to some degree and you may notice urinary symptoms in its place. The final push from your bladder to outside of your body can reignite sharp feelings of pain, as the stone is now passing through another narrow tube called your urethra, says Dr. Kannady.
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