The kidneys remove waste products and excess fluid from the bloodstream. These 2 organs rest on either side of the body below the ribs. The kidneys lay near the back muscles, which can make it hard to tell the difference between kidney pain and back pain.
Kidney Pain
The kidneys filter different toxins from the bloodstream, which makes them vulnerable to infection as well as damages. Excess calcium, oxalate, as well as phosphorous, can collect in the kidneys to form kidney stones, which can be agonizing if they create an obstruction.
Area: Kidney discomfort can be felt below the ribs on either side of an individual's spine. It can also be felt as though the pain is coming from deep within the body.
Individuals might experience pain on one or both sides of the body, depending on whether a condition impacts one or both kidneys.
Kidney pain can spread to such parts of the body as:
- the sides;
- abdominal area;
- groin;
- thigh.
Kind and Severity of pain
Small kidney stones usually go through the urinary system painlessly. Nevertheless, bigger stones can cause a sharp pain that generally increases when the rock moves from the kidney to the ureters.
A kidney infection can cause dull pain or discomfort that usually remains for some time.
Symptoms of Kidney problems:
- cloudy or bloody urine;
- agonizing urination;
- a constant need to pee;
- nausea and vomiting;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- fever;
- dizziness;
- fatigue.
Indications of severe kidney damage:
- bad breath;
- metallic taste in the mouth;
- feeling out of breath;
- swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet;
- confusion;
- irregular heartbeat;
- muscle aches.
Kidney pain causes:
- urinary system infections (UTIs);
- kidney stones and infections;
- blood clots in the kidneys;
- trauma or injury to the kidneys.
Pain in the Back
Back pain is usually a result of issues impacting the muscle mass, bones, or nerves in the back. The pain area, seriousness, and also accompanying symptoms of back pain differ depending on the reason.
Area: Back pain can be felt anywhere in the back. Nevertheless, many people experience discomfort in their lower back.
Kind and Severity of pain:
1. Muscle pain feels like dull ache or soreness. Particular body movement can cause or aggravate muscle pain, the intensity of which can vary from mild to extreme as well as might change in response to stretching.
2. Individuals with nerve pain may experience a burning or stabbing sensation that radiates in other parts of the body.
3. Sciatic nerve pain is a type of nerve pain that impacts the back. Individuals develop sciatica when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or compressed, which creates a burning pain in the lower back that radiates through the buttocks.
4. Bone pain can be caused by vertebral fractures or an irregularly shaped spine. This type of pain comes on unexpectedly. Bone discomfort varies from average to extreme and usually gets worse with movement.
Symptoms of Back Problems:
- pains or tightness along the spinal column;
- sharp, stabbing neck pain;
- muscle spasms make it hard to stand up;
- walking difficulties;
- numbness or tingling in the back that spreads to the limbs;
- weakness in one or both legs;
- inability to empty the bladder;
- loss of control over peeing;
- diarrhea, or constipation.
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Causes of Back Pain
Straining a muscle or ligament in the back is a usual cause of back pain. People can strain their backs from overstretching, lifting too much weight, or using incorrect lifting methods.
Other causes:
- bad posture;
- standing or sitting for a prolonged duration;
- muscle spasms;
- muscle tension;
- injuries to the back, such as falls and fractures;
- damaged, disjointed, or ruptured discs;
- abnormal curvature of the spin;
- tumors.
Medical conditions that can cause back pain:
- inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and also spondylitis;
- osteoporosis;
- shingles;
- spine cancer;
- infections;
- cauda equina syndrome, which influences the nerves at the base of the spine;
- abdominal aortic aneurysm;
- endometriosis.
When to See a Doctor
An individual can usually deal with moderate back pain at home with rest, heat treatment, and also over the counter painkiller. However, individuals ought to see a medical professional for pain that results from a distressing injury.
Individuals with symptoms of kidney stones or a kidney infection must see a medical professional.
Visit the doctor if you have these symptoms:
- constant or severe discomfort that doesn't improve with rest;
- pain in the back that worsens gradually;
- discomfort, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the legs or into the arms;
- difficulty walking or standing;
- swelling of the legs, ankle joints, or feet;
- fast and unexplained weight loss;
- sudden bladder or bowel problems;
- fever and high temperature;
- irregular heartbeat;
- feeling short of breath.
Kidney Pain Treatment
Kidney pain (flank discomfort) treatment depends on the underlying source of the pain:
1. Kidney infections and kidney stones. These are commonly treated with ibuprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), acetaminophen (Tylenol and also others). Sometimes kidney stones are treated with small amounts of morphine. However, these agents treat pain (pain relief just), yet not the underlying reason(s).
2. Small kidney stones. Some individuals may spontaneously pass (pee sweeps the irritating kidney stone out of the ureters or urethra) small kidney stones (generally less than around 6 mm in size). This process is usually painless.
3. Infections like urinary system infections (UTIs) and pyelonephritis are treated with antibiotic treatments along with pain medicines.
4. If kidney stones block a ureter or are 6 mm in diameter or bigger, you might need urologic surgery. Usually, recovery time is fast if retrograde medical strategies remove kidney rocks (the same day or a few days). However, some severe kidney lacerations might need more extensive surgery. Recovery time for these surgeries differs from weeks to months.
5. Other underlying reasons for flank pain may need similar pain monitoring and concurrent therapies. Nevertheless, people with known kidney troubles (kidney condition) or kidney function compromise must not be treated with discomfort drugs that are either filtered (removed) through the kidneys and may create more renal damages.
Summary: 10 tips on How to Differ Back Pain and Kidney Pain
Here are symptoms of kidney pain compared to back pain:
- Pain on one side of your lower back or the sides, underneath your ribs.
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, it's not a kidney rock.
- Pain that reoccurs in waves and changes in strength.
As the kidney rock moves through your urinary system, you'll feel pain differently. With a backache, the pain is typically constant.
- Pain that doesn't go away when you move.
If it's 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.
- Severe pain
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.
- Blood in your urine.
Kidney stones can trigger your pee to be pink, red, or brown.
- Painful urination.
- A lot more regular urination.
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.
- Smelly urine.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- High temperature and chills, in addition to back pain.
This could also mean that you have a urinary tract infection.
If you have any one of these signs and symptoms, along with your pain in the back, you ought to call your physician immediately. If your pain is unbearable, and you also have high temperatures or chills, or you have nausea or vomiting that is avoiding you from keeping down liquids or medications, you need to look for immediate medical care.
