Pain in the Kidney is often confused with back pain as it occurs in the lumbar region. Its cause may be kidney disease, so its appearance should always be consulted with a doctor.

The kidneys are one of the major components of the genitourinary system. They perform very important functions – they remove harmful metabolic products from the body, filter and retain ingredients necessary for the proper functioning of the body, and also maintain the proper state of body fluids.Each kidney dysfunction and disease causes a serious disturbance in the work of the whole organism, so it is important not to ignore any disturbing symptoms, especially pain.

Kidney Location: Where are the kidneys?

The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space behind the stomach, just below the liver. Most often they are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the spine, but due to the vicinity of the liver, the left kidney is slightly higher than the right one. Each kidney is surrounded by several casings. The fibrous capsule is closest to the organ, and above it is a layer of fatty tissue, called the fatty capsule. From the outside, the kidney is protected by the so-called renal fascia.

The right kidney is in close proximity to the liver and gallbladder, and the left kidney to the stomach and spleen.

How do the kidneys hurt?

Kidney pain, due to its location,can easily be mistaken for back pain or even stomach pain. The so-called dysuria symptoms, often accompanying kidney pain. These include: pain when urinating, frequent urination, painful and sudden pressure on the bladder, difficulty holding urine.Kidney pain comes on suddenly, is acute and very strong, recurrent, it is waveforms of various frequencies.During the jump or impact, it becomes more intense (the symptom of shaking or Goldflam), so the doctor tapping the area of ​​the kidneys during the examination. Kidney pain can also be confirmed on the basis of increased muscle tension on the side of renal colic. Additional blood and urine tests, ultrasound, urography, scintigraphy and spiral computed tomography are helpful in making the correct diagnosis.

Kidney pain – where is it most often located?

Pain associated with kidney disease is most often located in the lumbar region or in the lower abdomen. It is often throbbing, colic-like, and causes sudden attacks.

Kidney pain location – how to recognize it?

Kidney pain can occur suddenly and increase gradually over the following days – specialists call it colic pain.It can be very intense and become chronic and persist for a long time – then it is called somatic pain.Kidney pain is fundamentally different from back pain.Kidney pain usually located and starts on one side (left or right), then radiates inward and spreads horizontally. On the other hand, the pain in the spine spreads vertically towards the legs or the nape of the neck, is constant, dull and develops slowly.

kidney stone symptoms

Symptoms of kidney pain include discomfort (acute or chronic), pain, or sharp pain that occurs in the back between approximately the lowest rib and the buttock. Depending on the cause of the pain, it may radiate down the side to the groin or towards the abdomen. Here are the symptoms that may appear during kidney pain:

1. fever_
2. painful urination (dysuria),
3. blood in urine
4. nausea,
5. vomiting_
6. dizziness_
7. constipation or diarrhea
8. rash_
9. tiredness,
10. chills.

Other symptoms and signs that may occur as kidney function becomes increasingly reduced include:

1. a metallic taste in the mouth,
2. bad breath,
3. swelling and shortness of breath.

Depending on the cause, kidney pain may appear on the left or right side. Occasionally it can occur on both sides of the back. Traumatic kidney injury (kidney jerk) can cause the above symptoms, but mild damage may be asymptomatic at first. Severe kidney damage can cause abnormalblood pressureand heart rate, and even shock.

Kidney pain itself is a symptom that can occur due to problems or diseases of the kidneys or related structures, including theuretersorbladder. However, other diseases can mimic kidney pain but are not actually kidney problems, such as:

1. 
   back muscle strain,
2. backproblems
3. rib pain
4. pleurisy,
5. radiculitis,
6. retroperitoneal fibrosis,
7. shingles,
8. abdominal aortic aneurysm,
9. gynecological problems,
10. many other reasons.

Although kidney pain often occurs on one side of the back, it can be on both sides simultaneously and radiate towards the abdomen or groin.

Pain that comes on suddenly is sharp, severe, and may increase or decrease in waves, often caused by kidney stones in the renal ureters.Pain caused by kidney stones is called renal colic.

Appropriate supplementation should be used in the prevention of kidney health.

What is the cause of stone in kidney – Diseases manifested by pain in the kidneys

Many of the causes of kidney disease that lead to kidney pain are due to acquired underlying conditions, which can affect your kidney function acutely or chronically. Some people may be born with a genetic abnormality that affects the kidneys.

Kidney pain can be acute and relatively constant. This is called “renal colic”. This type of pain is usually seen when a kidney stone or other problem is blocking the tube (ureter) that drains the kidney.However, other processes can cause chronic dull pain with sometimes acute pain in the kidneys.Some of the causes of kidney pain or side pain are as follows:

1. urinary tract infections (UTIs),
2. bladder infection
3. kidney infections (pyelonephritis),
4. kidney stones (nephrolithiasis and / or ureterolithiasis),
5. kidneycancer
6. anything that presses on the kidney (for example, a large tumor)
7. glomerulonephritis,
8. blood clots in the kidney (renal vein thrombosis)
9. polycystic kidney syndrome (congenital),
10. congenital malformations of the kidney system causing complete or partial obstruction of urine flow,
11. drugs or toxins that damage kidney tissue (for example, exposure to pesticides or chronic use of drugs such asibuprofen,
12. kidney pain during pregnancy
13. bleeding from the kidneys (haemorrhage), such as a penetrating trauma or blunt trauma (“kidney jerking”)
14. end-stage renal disease.

kidney stone symptoms | Kidney pain – renal colic

Renal colic is caused by obstructed and shrunken ureters, which block the free flow of urine. It is related to the presence of deposits (stones) in the urinary tract. They are insoluble and their formation is influenced by a high concentration of a chemical in the urine.

Stones can be located in various places in the urinary tract, but most often they are formed in the calves or pelvis of the kidneys and in the upper part of the ureter.A characteristic symptom of nephrolithiasis is renal colic, which is characterized by unbearable pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the groin, labia or testes.

The pain in the disease is related to the movement of stones from the kidneys to the ureter (the small amount of ureteral lumen and the large size of the stones cause the muscle of the ureter to stretch).

When you experience disturbing symptoms and suspect kidney disease, it is worth using professional teleportation who will help determine the cause of kidney pain and refer you to further diagnostic tests.

In addition to pain, accompanying symptoms may include:

1. 
   urge to urinate
2. nausea,
3. vomiting,
4. blood inurine
5. high temperature and chills (especially in urinary tract infections)
6. sweating,
7. paleness,
8. frequent urination, but in small amounts,
9. low pressure.

In the treatment of renal colic, relaxants and analgesics are used.In addition, ureteral relaxants are administered to remove kidney stones (small stones) at the same time.

In the case of larger deposits, it is necessary to remove them using an endoscope or shock waves.

Take care of your kidneys before problems arise with them.

Kidney pain – inflammation of the kidneys

The most common nephritis isglomerulonephritis, which shows changes in the urinalysis. However, this ailment is not associated with pain. Another type of nephritis (accompanied by pain) isacute pyelonephritisandacute interstitial nephritis.

Acute interstitial nephritis

The most common cause of acute pyelonephritis is taking a certain group of drugs, mainly antibiotics andNSAIDs. In addition, infections andsarcoidosisare risk factors .

Among the symptoms of this ailment, the following are distinguished:

1. high temperature,
2. arterial hypertension,
3. a small amount of urine (less than 500 ml of urine per day),
4. blood in the urine
5. swelling
6. characteristic dull pain in the lower back (lumbar region),
7. joint pain,
8. maculo-papular rash.

In treatment, the most important thing is to eliminate the cause of the disease. Determine which class of drugs is responsible for the nephritis, and then stop the drug immediately. Sometimes antibiotic therapy is additionally implemented.

Acute pyelonephritis

Acute pyelonephritis is a disease of the urinary system, the course of which is considered to be the most severe.The cause of its formation is usually an infection with bacteria, for example E Coli, which belongs to the intestinal flora and through the urethra, bladder and ureters it reaches the kidneys.This ailment is very dangerous as it can even result in kidney failure. In the course of the disease, unbearable pain occurs inthe lumbar region of the spine.

In addition, patients complain of:

1. nausea,
2. vomiting,
3. chills,
4. high temperature (even 39 degrees Celsius),
5. burning sensation when urinating,
6. painful urge to urinate,
7. blood in urine.

A general urine test usually shows a large number of leukocytes, red blood cells and bacteria. For the treatment of acute pyelonephritis, take antibiotics and drink plenty of fluids. In extreme cases, hospitalization is necessary.

By performing a preventive blood and urine test , you can rule out the possibility of kidney problems. The test helps to assess their condition and the functioning of the urinary system.

Other conditions where pain may appear in the lumbar region:

1. degenerative diseases of the spine joints,
2. discopathy,
3. endometriosis,
4. menstruation,
5. pregnancy,
6. prostatitis in men,
7. RA –rheumatoid arthritis,
8. ZZSK – ankylosing spondylitis,
9. abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.

Kidney pain – kidney tumor

Kidney pain is also a common symptom of a kidney tumor. Occurring pain may suggest that the tumor is already large or that it is invading other organs. In addition, it may indicate that a patient is developinghydronephrosis. The cause of a kidney tumor, in addition to the presence of neoplastic tissue, may be blood clots that prevent the outflow of urine. Other symptoms of a kidney tumor may include:

1. arterial hypertension resistant to pharmaceuticals,
2. weight loss,
3. hematuria.

Kidney pain – obstructive nephropathy

It is a condition arising from obstruction of urine outflow due to obstruction of the urinary tract. The obstruction may be affected by: aortic aneurysm, iliac artery aneurysm, cancer of the uterus or ovary, enlarged prostate, urolithiasis, orcolon cancer.

Impaired urination can cause high pressure in the urinary tract and, over time, dilation of the renal pelvis, calyxes, and ureters. The kidneys become “distended” and urine accumulates in them (then we are talking about hydronephrosis). Gradually increasing hydronephrosis may not give any symptoms, only its rapid appearance resembles renal colic.

When you experience disturbing symptoms from the urinary system, you should immediately make an appointment with a urologist . The doctor will help diagnose the cause of the problem and implement effective treatment.

Kidney pain – kidney cyst

A kidney cyst is the space around the kidney’s parenchyma with fluid inside. Small cysts are actually asymptomatic, but the situation is different when they reach a diameter of more than 5 cm. Then they can cause pain in the area of ​​the kidneys and an unpleasant feeling of fullness inthe abdomen.

Large cysts require removal, small cysts – periodic inspection. An ultrasound scan should be performed to exclude any suspicion of a cyst . It will help to assess the condition of internal organs and detect diseases at an early stage of development, which enables effective treatment.

Kidney pain – kidney cancer

At the beginning, kidney cancer does not give any symptoms, and it is diagnosed by chance, e.g. during an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity. With the development of the disease, unpleasant symptoms begin to appear in the form of pain in the area of ​​the kidneys, and sometimes in the lower abdomen. Blood in the urine is also characteristic.

Other symptoms:

1. high temperature,
2. weight loss
3. cachexia,
4. anemia_
5. a thickening that can be felt through the abdominal wall (sometimes).

By purchasing laboratory tests for women and men , you can exclude the suspicion of cancer and initiate effective treatment at an early stage of the disease. In the treatment of kidney cancer, the tumor is first removed and then immunotherapy is introduced. If metastases have occurred, radiotherapy is required.

Kidney pain – other causes

An enlarged prostateis a common condition in men over the age of 40. This gland is located just below the bladder. As the prostate gland enlarges, it may partially block the outflow of urine from the kidneys.This can lead to infection or swelling of one or both of the kidneys, causing pain.

An enlarged prostate is usually treated with medications to reduce it. In some cases, you may need radiation therapy or surgery. Kidney symptoms disappear as the prostate returns to its normal size.

Sickle cell anemiais a genetic disease that changes the shape of red blood cells. It can damage the kidneys and other organs. This leads to pain in the kidneys and blood in the urine. Medications help treat the effects of sickle cell anemia. Bone marrow transplants also help relieve symptoms.

Kidney pain – what tests should be performed?

The symptom that confirms that pain in the lumbar region is the cause of kidney disease isGoldflam’s symptom.This test is performed when there is a suspicion that there is acute inflammation of the kidney.

The specialist who performs the examination places one hand in the lumbar region, the other clenches into a fist and then strikes the palm lying flat. If the patient feels pain after the impact, the symptom is positive, so the pain is caused by a sick kidney.Kidney pain can also be confirmed on the basis of increased muscle tension on the side of renal colic.

In patients with an acute attack of renal colic, general urinalysis and blood tests are performed. In addition, the doctor may order imaging tests:

1. urography,
2. spiral computed tomography,
3. X-ray inspection,
4. Kidney ultrasound(revealing the presence of stones, their size and location).

Regular health monitoring allows for early detection of diseases and a quick recovery. Prophylactic laboratory tests are recommended to be performed once a year for men and women of all ages.

Kidney pain – treatment

Treatment for kidney pain depends on the cause of the pain. Kidney infections and kidney stones that cause pain are often treated with ibuprofen, ketorolac, acetaminophen, or sometimes with small amounts of morphine (kidney stones). However, these remedies treat pain (they only ease the pain), not the root cause of the pain.

Kidney stones are treated with antispasmodics and analgesics (e.g. hyoscine, papaverine, ketoprofen).Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory preparations are also given to reduce the swelling of the ureter, relax it and facilitate the excretion of stones. Larger deposits are removed endoscopically after crushing them with a shock wave.Among the most commonly used drugs are: ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen. Urinary tract and kidney infections are also often treated with antibiotics.

Some people may spontaneously excrete (urineremoves irritating kidney stone from the ureters and / or urethra) small kidney stones (usually less than about 6 mm in diameter).

Infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs and pyelonephritis usually require antibiotic treatment in addition to pain medications).

If kidney stones completely block the ureter, or are about 6 mm in diameter or larger, they may require urological surgery. Usually recovery time is rapid (same day or several days) if kidney stones are removed by retrograde surgical techniques. However, some severe kidney damage may require more extensive surgery. Recovery time from these surgeries varies from weeks to several months.

Other causes of pain in the side may require similar pain management and concomitant treatment. However, patients with known kidney problems (kidney disease) and / or impaired kidney function should not be treated with painkillers that are either filtered (cleared) by the kidneys and / or may cause further kidney damage.

Kidney pain – how to relieve it?

Before we go to the doctor, we can try to relieve the pain symptoms. Relief is provided by painkillers and relaxants such as Buscopan. During a sudden attack of renal colic, it is a good idea to have a hot water bottle or an electric pillow handy to the painful area as the heat reduces the pain.When kidney pain is caused by stones in the urinary tract, you should not go to bed.You have to walk to help the plaque move towards the bladder. During an attack of renal colic, it is also recommended to drink plenty of fluids (even 4 liters a day), which will make it easier to rinse out the stone. If the attack is very severe and is accompanied by hematuria or fever, call a doctor immediately.

Kidney pain – how to help yourself?

Home remedies are very helpful – for example, drinking warm cranberry tea and disinfecting and relaxing herbs (calendula, chamomile, mint, yarrow, etc.). With bladder pain, the use of Furaginum is very effective. It is an over-the-counter drug that works well for acute and recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Pharmacies also sell herbs for the kidneys that support the treatment of kidney andurinary tractdiseases , such as bearberry, goldenrod, birch, sand thyme, horsetail, parsley root extract, goldenrod herb and many others.Pain can be quickly relieved with the use of antispasmodics and painkillers. What can be used for kidney pain so that it does not harm us and brings quick relief? It is worth taking over-the-counter painkillers: Apap, Ketonal, Paracetamol, Ibuprom, Etopyrin, etc., and diastolic drugs such as Buscopan, Hyoscine, No-Spa, Deespa, Scopolan, Ketoprofen. However, if the pain gets worse and becomes unbearable, be sure to see a specialist.

How to take care of the kidneys? Countermeasures

Working against kidney disease is mainly about preventing urinary tract infections, as pathogenic bacteria most often enter the kidneys through the urethra, bladder and ureters. In order to protect yourself from cystitis,you should take care of personal hygiene and drink about 2 liters of fluids a day(preferably include cranberry juice), which makes it easier to rinse the bladder and urethra. It is also advisable not to stop urinating as the bacteria in it multiply rapidly.Follow a healthy lifestyle, that is, follow a well-balanced diet, reduce alcohol consumption and smoking, maintain a healthy body weight, get enough sleep, avoid stress and exercise.

The kidneys do very hard work – they clean approximately 1.5 liters of blood each day.Healthy kidneys ensure acid-base balance and adequate blood pressure.In addition, the kidneys perform important endocrine functions – they produce a hormone (erythropoietin) that stimulates the bone marrow to produce erythrocytes. Thanks to the kidneys, active vitamin D is also produced, responsible for the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, which ensures the proper condition of the skeletal system.

Kidney Pain FAQ

what are the symptoms of kidney stones?

Stones can cause signs and symptoms if they travel into your ureters, which are the tiny tubes that allow urine to pass from your kidneys to your bladder. Ureters are located on both sides of your body. Pain of a severe kind, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and the presence of blood in the urine are some of the signs and symptoms of kidney stones.
Nausea, vomiting, chills, and fever are some of the symptoms.

what are the symptoms for a kidney infection

what is the cause of stone in kidney?

Possible causes include insufficient water intake, abnormal levels of physical activity (either too much or too little), obesity, weight loss surgery, or the use of foods that contain excessive amounts of salt or sugar. In certain persons, factors such as infections and family history may be significant. Consuming an excessive amount of fructose is associated with an increased likelihood of developing kidney stones.

what causes kidney pain?

You may experience pain in your sides, back, tummy, or groin if your kidneys are inflamed. People frequently confuse it with back discomfort. Pain in the kidneys can originate from a number of different conditions, including kidney stones, kidney infection, damage, or even kidney cancer.