Can Back Pain Be a Sign of Kidney Trouble?
You can get back pain for a variety of reasons. In fact, there are dozens of possible causes. Most people assume their back pain is being caused by nerve damage or a spinal injury. Sometimes, there can also be a problem with the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the back. But sometimes neither of these possible causes are responsible for your discomfort.
The trouble may be coming from an organ inside your body: namely, a kidney problem. It could be a kidney infection, kidney stone, or some other kidney disorder. Anyone who has ever had a kidney stone will tell you it’s some of the worst pain they’ve ever experienced.
So, what symptoms and signs will tell you that there’s a kidney problem instead of a nerve or muscle injury?
One of the best ways to tell is the location of your pain. Pain from a kidney problem usually doesn’t occur close to the spinal column. It will present more toward your sides or “flanks.” Generally, you’ll feel it below the bottom of the rib cage and above the hips.
Kidney pain is also often acute. In other words, it happens suddenly. You can go from “no pain” to “great discomfort” in a relatively short period of time.
Kidney stones are among the most common causes of back pain caused by kidney problems. Pain often occurs as these pebble-like masses move out of the kidneys and down the ureters toward the bladder. Kidney stones tend to be extremely painful when they cause a blockage in the ureters.
Discolored urine is another symptom of a kidney problem. When you notice that your urine is darker than normal, it could indicate the presence of blood. This is definitely a good reason to talk to your doctor.
Anyone with a kidney disorder or some other type of urinary tract condition is likely to feel the need to urinate often - even though very little urine is produced in most cases.
It’s not unusual to feel a burning or stinging sensation when urinating.
Kidney stones don’t always have to be removed through surgery or shock wave treatment. They sometimes pass out of the body on their own dueing urination. This is more likely to take place if you drink a lot of water. Your back pain will stop when this happens.
Fortunately, while kidney stones can cause a great deal of pain, they’re not considered a threat to life.
A kidney infection, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous because it can result in kidney failure. Kidney failure can be fatal. Therefore, if you even suspect your back pain is coming from a kidney infection, it’s best to call a doctor right away.
Do you still want more articles on similar topics? Click on kidney failure. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV and radio talk show host with a special interest in topics related to kidney health. You can read more of his articles about kidney disorders at http://www.kidney-problem.org.