When Its Not Usually The Kidneys:
- Dull or sharp pain in the low back is more likely due to a muscle pull, spinal issue, such as sciatica, or an injury. Kidney pain is usually felt higher up in the back and very rarely that low. If you are experiencing dull low back pain and it doesnt seem to be improving, a visit to your primary care physician should be scheduled.
- Pain that increases after certain activities, especially vigorous activities are typically related to injury and or strain as well. While dehydration is very problematic for your kidneys, the acute pain you may experience during activity is likely not from the kidneys themselves. However, this is a great time to remind you that the kidneys need water. Staying hydrated means that your urine is a pale straw color. If it is any darker, you are dehydrated.
- The pain goes away when you rest. The most common cause of kidney pain is from kidney stones, and this will not improve when you lie down and rest. Similarly, any symptoms of kidney inflammation or kidney failure will not let up with rest.
Of course, symptoms can vary between patients and conditions, so if you believe the pain to be unusual, contact a qualified medical professional to get the right diagnosis.
How To Tell If Its Kidney Pain Or Back Pain
Your kidneys are located just below the ribcage, with each kidney positioned on either side of your spine. Kidneys help to filter toxins and extra fluids from the body to ensure the rest of your body works normally. Common causes of kidney pain include UTIs, kidney infections, and kidney stones. Because your kidneys rest against your back muscles, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate kidney pain from back pain. To help you distinguish between the two, were breaking down the signs and symptoms of how to tell if its back pain or kidney pain.
Fever And Chills Along With Your Back Pain
This could also mean that you have a urinary tract infection.
If you have any of these symptoms, along with your back pain, you should call your doctor right away.
If your pain is unbearable, is associated with fevers or chills, or you have nausea and vomiting that is preventing you from keeping down fluids or medications, you should seek immediate medical attention, Nguyen says.
Are you concerned about kidney stones? The experts at Keck Medicine can help guide you. If you are in the Los Angeles area, schedule an appointment with a urology specialist or call .
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When To See A Doctor For Kidney Pain
Kidney pain that you feel in your middle back or that radiates to your abdomen or groin is usually an indicator of a serious health condition.
According to Dr. Charles Patrick Davis, you should visit your doctor promptly if you suspect kidney pain. Some of the warning signs of kidney disease or problems are:
- Sharp flank pain that comes on suddenly
- A dull, constant one-sided pain in your back or side
- Blood in your urine
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.
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What Is The Difference Between Back Pain & Kidney Pain
Because your kidneys are located below your ribcage and towards your back, it can be difficult to tell whether the pain youre experiencing is back pain or kidney pain.
Since back pain is so common, its easy for people who are actually experiencing kidney issues to brush the pain off as normal back pain.
This can be dangerous, especially if the underlying cause of kidney pain is a condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
Your symptoms can help you determine whether youre experiencing back or kidney pain.
The type of pain and its severity can also help you understand the source of your pain.
In this guide, Ill break down the causes of back and kidney pain, and provide you with tips for identifying the source of your pain. Ill also tell you when its best to talk to your doctor.
Are There Tests To Diagnose The Cause Of Kidney Pain
If you experience kidney pain, your healthcare provider typically will order lab tests to check for abnormalities in your blood or urine. Imaging tests will also be used to visualize the kidneys indirectly.
Other specialist procedures may directly visualize the kidneys or obtain tissue samples via a biopsy if cancer is suspected.
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What Dissolves Kidney Stones Fast
Your doctor can determine whether a juice may cause side effects for you or your baby.Water. When passing a stone, upping your water intake can help speed up the process. Lemon juice. Basil juice. Apple cider vinegar. Celery juice. Pomegranate juice. Kidney bean broth. Dandelion root juice.More items
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Where Does Your Back Hurt If You Have A Kidney Infection
Kidney infection or pyelonephritis is a medical condition in which one or both kidneys get infected. A person has two kidneys that are located under the rib cage on each side of the spine. The pain of kidney infection may be felt on the sides and the back. Unlike the classical back pain due to muscle or bone involvement, which typically affects the lower back, kidney pain is felt higher up and at a greater depth. The pain is most commonly felt under the ribs and depending on the involvement of one or both the kidneys, it may be felt on one side or both sides of the body. Kidney pain may also be felt in areas such as the belly or groin. Unlike back pain, the pain of kidney infection may be associated with other symptoms such as:
- Fever which is generally high grade
- Pain, burning, or difficulty in passing urine
- Change in the smell or appearance of the urine, such as cloudy or blood-tinged urine
Kidney infection is generally a serious medical condition. Thus, you must seek urgent medical care if you think you have a kidney infection.
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Summary: 10 Tips On How To Differ Back Pain And Kidney Pain
Here are symptoms of kidney pain compared to back pain:
General back pain, on the other hand, can be felt anywhere on your back. So if the discomfort is in your center back or shoulders, possibilities are, its not a kidney rock.
As the kidney rock moves through your urinary system, youll feel pain differently. With a backache, the pain is typically constant.
If its a backache, some movement or position change can ease the discomfort. With kidney stones, the pain will not go away when you move, and some poses may even make it worse.
Back pain can range from moderate to severe, while kidney stone pain is always severe. Kidney stone pain is generally severe and can be sharp or dull.
Kidney stones can trigger your pee to be pink, red, or brown.
Kidney rocks can make you seem like you require to pee a lot more, and also, when you do go, you might only go a little.
This could also mean that you have a urinary tract infection.
Whats The Best Treatment For Kidney Pain And Lower Back Pain
Kidney pain treatment occurs once the source for its occurrence has been located by your GP. Kidney stones will be aided with the use of pain medication along with increased amounts of water ingestion to accelerate the kidney stone. Surgery may be required in cases of particularly large kidney stones. In cases of infection, antibiotics are used to help remove the bacterial infection.
Lower back pain treatment differs significantly from kidney pain treatment, due to the many different causes. Pain in the back is treated using pain relieving medications along with physiotherapy. These can include manual therapy such as mobilisation, manipulation and massage, exercises to stretch and strengthen, acupuncture and Pilates. If after conservative physiotherapy treatment, pain levels and returning back to normal movement doesnt improve significantly after a course of 6-8 weeks, then referral back to your GP to request further investigation by a spinal specialist maybe indicated.
If you are unsure on the nature of your back pain and want further information, advice or treatment, dont hesitate to book in with one of our Physiotherapists today at one of the many clinics across Dorset:
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Symptoms Of Kidney Pain
- A dull ache that’s usually constant
- Pain under your rib cage or in your belly
- Pain in your side usually only one side, but sometimes both hurt
- Sharp or severe pain that may come in waves
- Pain that can spread to your groin area or belly
Other symptoms that can happen with kidney pain
The symptoms of your kidney pain depend on its cause. With kidney pain you may also have:
- Blood in your urine
Could Your Lower Back Pain Be Kidney
Understanding what kidney pain usually feels like will help you figure out if your pain is caused by a kidney problem or a musculoskeletal problem.
Common features of kidney pain include:
You feel pain higher and deeper in your back. Your kidneys are on either side of your spine below your rib cage.
Kidney pain is usually felt on one side as most conditions that cause kidney pain only affect one kidney. Central pain or pain on both sides is more likely to be muscular.
Pain will increase when you apply pressure to the area.
Pain may spread into your groin on the same side.
You might feel a cramping sensation that comes and goes .
The kind of pain you feel depends on the condition causing it.
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How Is Kidney Pain Treated
The treatment for kidney pain depends on what is causing it. Be sure to call your doctor if you have any kidney pain. Your doctor may do:
- A urine test to check for signs of infection
- Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to see if your kidneys are injured
Once you know what is causing your pain, your doctor can work with you to find the right treatment.
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Getting A Medical Diagnosis
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Kidney Pain Vs Back Pain
Its 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, its felt on one or both sides, usually under your rib cage.
Its often constant. It probably wont go away when you shift your body. With your back, it might lessen when you adjust your position.
Signs that its 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:
Also, if you recently had a urinary tract infection , call your doctor. If you have blood in your urine, or if your pain is sudden and unbearable even without signs of blood in your pee, get medical care right away.
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When To See Your Doctor
Kidney pain is almost always a sign that something is wrong with your kidney. You should see your doctor as soon as possible to determine whats causing your pain.
If the condition that has caused kidney pain isnt treated promptly and appropriately, your kidneys can stop working, which is called kidney failure.
Its especially important to see your doctor right away if your pain is severe and started suddenly because this is often caused by a serious problem such as renal vein thrombosis or bleeding into your kidney that needs emergency treatment.
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Back Pain Or Kidney Infection
Another type of pain is caused by a kidney infection. How does it feel? You guessed it: A dull throb that may feel like mid- or upper back pain.
A kidney infection is usually caused by bacteria. These real-life risk factors greatly increase your chances of developing one. For example: a kidney stone whether or not it obstructs the ureter, nerve or spinal damage that impairs bladder emptying or a lower urinary tract infection called cystitis. But older people, 70s on up, sometimes develop kidney infections without any other predisposing factor.
The signs and symptoms linked to this include back, side and/or groin pain as well as one or the combination of factors listed:
-
Burning sensation when you urinate
-
Sense of urgencyyou really gotta go
As with a kidney stone, a kidney infection can turn into an emergency.
Kidney stone and infection are the most common forms of kidney pain, Dr. Charney says, but points out that rare genetic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease and Fabry disease can cause kidney pain that can be mistaken for back pain.
What Causes Back Pain
Back pain can be caused due to a number of reasons. Usually mild back pain does not require immediate medical attention. Back pain usually occurs due to inflammation. Sometimes back pain can be indicative of a serious medical condition like bone fracture, spinal fracture, multiple myeloma, osteoporosis, cancer, lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease etc. Stress and dysfunctional family relationships are also known to cause back pain. During pregnancy, a majority of women experience low back pain which can be severe during the third trimester.
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Raleigh Adult Medicine: Compassionate Internal Medicine Doctors In Raleigh Nc
Its sometimes difficult to tell the difference between back pain and kidney pain. Often, there are subtle cues that can be easy to overlook. Thats why we want to help you alleviate your pain, regardless of whether the source is your kidneys or another condition.
Contact us for an appointment today.
For more than 20 years, Raleigh Adult Medicine has served as the Triangle areas premier internal medicine provider. We tailor our treatments to provide the finest personalized health care available for each stage of your adult life. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Back Pain Or Kidney Stone
What gives?
According to Dr. Charney, if youre feeling kidney pain, its probably coming from one of two places : Either because of distension of the ureter or capsule that surrounds the kidneys.
The ureterstubes attached to each kidneytransport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. All that urine contains salts and minerals, and if the minerals clump together and block one of the ureters, youve got yourself a dreaded, infamously painful kidney stone.
ureter because there is a stone blocking it, says Dr. Charney. Not only that, he says, but when there is a blockage due to the stone in the ureter, the urine may back up into the kidney and that may expand the capsule of the kidney and cause pain.
Kidney stones
When it comes to where the pain is located, it is typically just on one side. It is routinely categorized as a dull ache. Dr. Charney adds that the pain is always theremore or less bothering you. Sound familiar? Thats because chronic back pain, especially the kind caused by nerve compression, is usually on just one side too .
However, when it comes time to pass a stone, youll know it.
Stone ache can just be faint pain unless that stone is trying to pass, says Dr. Charney. Then it can be severe and last for several minutes before it goes away. Whenever the pain is too excruciating to bearand really, any time you suspect a kidney stonehead to the emergency room. Treatment is available and of course, better safe than sorry.
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