Friday, March 8, 2024
HomeMust ReadWhere Does Your Back Hurt With Kidney Stones

Where Does Your Back Hurt With Kidney Stones

What Is A Kidneystone Made Of

Where Do You Feel Kidney Pain In The Back?

Generally speaking,16 types of kidney stones can be created in the human body. And what they are made of can help you prevent additional kidney stones in the future.

The two major types of kidney stones are made up ofcalcium and uric acid. Calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid, alongwith struvite and cystine stones are the major groupings. Technical names likecalcium oxalate monohydrate, hydroxyapatite, and magnesium hydrogen phosphateare a mouthful, to be sure, but knowing exactly what kind of kidney stone youhave can give you the best clues for preventing kidney stones in the future.

Start by collecting your urine to capture the stone as itcomes out. Or by using a coffee filter to catch the stone. After collecting it,take it to your physician they can send it out for tests. Once the testresults come back you two can craft a treatment plan to help prevent kidneystones in the future. In addition to your customized treatment plan, drinkingmore water, eating less meat, consuming more citrus, and reducing your saltintake are general guidelines that can help reduce the odds of kidney stones inthe future.

Kidney Pain Or Back Pain Sometimes It Can Be Tough To Tell But Each Will Provide Their Own Clues Heres What You Need To Know

Trying to understand why your back hurts can feel exhausting. Most cases of back pain go away on their own. But if the soreness or irritation lingers it can suggest a more substantial health concern possibly one associated with the kidneys.

Kidney pain or back pain? Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.

Healthy kidneys help eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and perform other essential jobs all day every day. Youll find these bean-shaped organs below your ribs, close to the middle of your back. Thats why kidney problemsstones, infection, chronic kidney diseasescan easily be mistaken for mid-or upper back pain.

Heres the thing, though. People with kidney disease sometimes have pain caused by their kidney disease, says Alan Charney, MD, a nephrologist at NYU Langone Health and clinical professor at the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Remarkably, though, the kidney itself has no pain receptors!

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.

Recommended Reading: Does Sparkling Water Cause Kidney Stones

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.

Where Exactly Do You Hurt With Kidney Stones

12 Symptoms of Kidney Disease You Should Not Ignore ...

If it becomes lodged in the ureters, it may block the flow of urine and cause the kidney to swell and the ureter to spasm, which can be very painful. At that point, you may experience these signs and symptoms: Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs. Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin.

You May Like: Is Watermelon Good For Your Kidneys

Can A Large Kidney Stone Cause An Injury

Your risk of injury from a kidney stone can go up based on the size and location of the stone. A larger stone could get stuck in a ureter, causing pressure to build up. This can lead to renal failure and, in the worst-case scenario, you could lose your kidney. The chance of passing a 1 cm stone is less than 10%, and stones larger than 1 cm typically dont pass.

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.

Also Check: Std That Affects Kidneys

How Severe Is The Pain

Pain due to kidney stones can be searing, sharp and severe. Back pain can vary according to the type and extent of the injury or irritation. It is usually of a dull and throbbing nature, but in the case of serious injury can become unbearable. The pain may get worse after movement or due to prolonged sitting or standing. This is not the case with a renal stone.

It must also be noted that unlike in the case of a muscle or nerve injury, a patient who has not undergone kidney stone treatment will experience some physiological repercussions and symptoms. A renal stone can lead to symptoms like:

  • Cloudy, dark urine
  • Urgent and frequent need to urinate
  • Blood in urine

Things That Can Help You Take A Pass On Kidney Stones

Kidney Pain Symptoms – Signs Of Kidney Stones, Kidney Infection, Renal Failure
  • By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Menâs Health Watch

If youve ever passed a kidney stone, you probably would not wish it on your worst enemy, and youll do anything to avoid it again. âKidney stones are more common in men than in women, and in about half of people who have had one, kidney stones strike again within 10 to 15 years without preventive measures,â says Dr. Brian Eisner, co-director of the Kidney Stone Program at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Recommended Reading: Chocolate And Kidney Stones

Don’t Miss: Can Seltzer Water Cause Kidney Stones

Take Steps To Bypass Kidney Stones

Even though kidney stones can be common and recur once youve had them, there are simple ways to help prevent them. Here are some strategies that can help:

1. Drink enough water. A 2015 meta-analysis from the National Kidney Foundation found that people who produced 2 to 2.5 liters of urine daily were 50% less likely to develop kidney stones than those who produced less. It takes about 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water daily to produce that amount.

2. Skip high-oxalate foods. Such foods, which include spinach, beets, and almonds, obviously raise oxalate levels in the body. However, moderate amounts of low-oxalate foods, such as chocolate and berries, are okay.

3. Enjoy some lemons. Citrate, a salt in citric acid, binds to calcium and helps block stone formation. âStudies have shown that drinking ½ cup of lemon juice concentrate diluted in water each day, or the juice of two lemons, can increase urine citrate and likely reduce kidney stone risk,â says Dr. Eisner.

4. Watch the sodium. A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. Federal guidelines suggest limiting total daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams . If sodium has contributed to kidney stones in the past, try to reduce your daily sodium to 1,500 mg.

Telltale Signs You Have A Kidney Stone

Most people have two kidneys located behind their abdominal organs along the middle of their back. The purpose of your kidneys is to filter blood and send any waste thats collected into your urine.

Sometimes, these waste products build up and form small, hard deposits called kidney stones. Stones develop inside kidneys, but they exit the body through the urinary tract.

Because the ureter is small, passing a stone can cause complications inside the urinary tract, as well as a range of unpleasant symptoms from abdominal pain to nausea. About 1 in 10 Americans will experience at least one kidney stone in their lifetime, but learning to recognize the telltale signs of a kidney stone isnt always easy especially if youve never had one.

Our team at Advanced Urology in Redondo Beach, Culver City, and Los Angeles, California, is here to help. While small stones might pass without your knowledge, larger stones can cause excruciating pain. Make an appointment at Advanced Urology if you have

Also Check: Can Chocolate Cause Kidney Stones

Kidney Pain Vs Back Pain

It’s easy to confuse kidney pain for just back pain. How do you know the difference?

Location. It could be your kidney and not your back if you feel it higher on your back. Back problems usually affect your lower back.

Kidney pain is felt higher and deeper in your body than back pain. You may feel it in the upper half of your back, not the lower part. Unlike back discomfort, it’s felt on one or both sides, usually under your rib cage.

It’s often constant. It probably won’t go away when you shift your body. With your back, it might lessen when you adjust your position.

Signs that it’s your back

Back pain:

  • Shoots down one leg
  • Is more likely to be stabbing than dull and constant
  • Gets worse or flares up when you do certain activities, like lifting a box or bending over
  • When you rest or lie down, back pain may ease up
  • Might also be muscle aches

Other symptoms to watch for

Depending on the cause of the pain, you could have other symptoms too. If you have these signs, contact your doctor. You could have a serious kidney problem:

  • Fever

Cleveland Clinic: ââ¬ÅKidney Pain,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅKidney Pain: Care and Treatment.ââ¬ï¿½Ã

Mayo Clinic: ââ¬ÅKidney Pain,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅKidney Stones,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅKidney Cysts,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅPolycystic Kidney Disease,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅBack Pain,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅHydronephrosis.ââ¬ï¿½

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: ââ¬ÅYour Kidneys & How They Work.ââ¬ï¿½

Getting A Medical Diagnosis

Is Your Lower Back Pain Caused By Kidney Stones? Find Out ...
  • 1Contact your doctor if you have pain that won’t go away. It is important to get medical problems that are causing you pain treated by a medical professional. If you don’t get them treated promptly, they could create larger issues that will cause you even more pain in the future.
  • Treating pain with an over-the-counter pain medication is a good temporary solution if you are in a lot of distress. However, you should get medical care for long-term pain so that there is a chance that the problem can be solved instead of simply masked with medication.
  • 2Have an examination and testing done. When you see the doctor they will ask you about your symptoms, including when they started and how strong they are. They will then do a physical exam that includes feeling the areas of pain. At this point they may be able to give you a general idea of what is causing the pain but they will also likely do a variety of tests on you to give you a specific diagnosis.
  • Whether the doctor suspects a serious problem in the back, such as a slipped disc, or a problem with the kidneys, they will order imaging to be done. This can be in the form of an X-ray, ultrasound, spinal magnetic resonance imaging , or a computed tomography scan.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
  • Don’t Miss: Fluid Around Kidney Symptoms

    Passing A Kidney Stone

    Small kidney stones may pass on their own without treatment. A doctor may recommend drinking more fluids to help flush the stone out of the system.

    In some cases, the doctor may prescribe the medication Tamsulosin. This drug relaxes the ureter, making it easier for stones to pass. Some people may also require over-the-counter or prescription pain relief medication.

    According to the AUA, a person should wait no longer than 6 weeks to pass a small kidney stone. They should seek medical attention sooner if they experience worsening pain or an infection.

    In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to place a ureteral stent to allow urine to bypass the stone, with or without removing the stone at the same time. According to the Urology Care Foundation, doctors usually reserve surgery for stones that may have caused or lead to infection or stones that do not pass and block urine flow from the kidney.

    Also Check: Va Rating For Stage 3 Kidney Disease

    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.

    Don’t Miss: Is Red Wine Good For Kidney Stones

    What Side Do You Lay On For Kidney Stones

    Using patients as their own internal controls, it was demonstrated that 80% of patients lying in a lateral decubitus position with the left side down had demonstrably increased renal perfusion in the dependent kidney and 90% of patients who lay with their right side down had similar increased perfusion.

    Dont Miss: Watermelon And Ckd

    Whos Most Likely To Get Kidney Stones What Are The Risk Factors

    Kidney Pain Causes – If Your Back Hurts, It Could Be One Of These Kidney Problems

    White men in their 30s and 40s are most likely to get kidney stones. However, anyone can develop kidney stones.

    There are several risk factors for developing kidney stones. These include:

    • Not drinking enough liquids.
    • Having a diet that includes the substances that form the stones .
    • Having a family history of kidney stones.
    • Having a blockage in your urinary tract.

    Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of developing stones. This is because they may increase or decrease levels of the substances that make up a kidney stone. These conditions can include:

    • Hypercalciuria .

    Certain foods can also place you at risk of a kidney stone. These foods include:

    • Meats and poultry .

    Recommended Reading: Can You Have 4 Kidneys

    Also Check: Kidney Stone Constipation

    When To See A Doctor

    Once youve determined whether your pain is coming from your back or your kidneys, consider seeing your doctor for evaluation and treatment.

    You should always be seen if you think you have a kidney infection or kidney stone.

    You might be able to treat acute back pain thats mild without seeing your doctor, but if it doesnt get better, is more than mild pain, or spreads, you should see your doctor.

    Kidney Pain Vs Muscular

    The flank area is an area of the back that is commonly injured in normal every day movements or during exercise. There are a few good ways to know the difference between kidney pain and muscular back pain.

    If you answer yes to any of the following questions you could be experiencing kidney pain.

    • Assess your body to see if you have any other symptoms such as fever, or difficulty with urination?
    • Does the pain increase or decrease associated with your urination?

    If you answer yes to any of the following questions you may be experiencing back pain.

    • Does the pain get better or worse with stretching or movement?
    • Is pain relieved with regular over the counter pain medications?

    You May Like: Kidney Problems Symptoms In Men

    Causes Of Bilateral And Unilateral Kidney Pains

    Flank pains experienced in either one side otherwise known as unilateral, or both sides, which is referred to as bilateral is caused by various reasons .

  • The most cause of kidney pains or flank pains is kidney stones.
  • Obstructive uropathy. This is the process of having urine passing in the opposite direction usually because of blockages in the urinary tract.
  • Pyelonephritis. This is the inflammation of the kidneys and the urinary tract.
  • Urinary Tract Infections. Covering a wide range of infections, they affect the entire process of making and transporting the urine from the body.
  • Appendicitis. Attached to the large intestines, this vital organ if full or inflamed will also cause flank pains.There are several other causes of flank pains like bladder cancer, injuries, obesity related pains, obstructions on the renal tract, hydronephrosis, shingles, Hodgkins disease amongst others .
  • RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular