When your back hurts in the kidney area, a person begins to think that he has problems with this particular organ. However, this is not always the case. Often the cause of discomfort is the spine; in some people, symptoms of pain appear due to nerves.
People often mistake back pain in the lumbar region for a manifestation of renal pathology, since in the latter case the pain syndrome will be localized slightly higher - at the level of the 12th pair of ribs. One way or another, the occurrence of back pain is not normal, so a person with such a symptom should undergo an examination to determine the exact cause.
Causes of pain
There are two main groups of causes that lead to pain in the kidney area:
- primary – caused by problems with the spinal column;
- secondary – are a symptom of somatic pathology.
Primary causes include: osteochondrosis (most often), intervertebral hernia, protrusion of intervertebral discs, spondyloarthrosis, curvature of the spinal column, spinal injuries. Secondary causes: tumor processes, infectious inflammation of the vertebrae, kidney diseases, pelvic organs, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, rheumatoid arthritis and others.
The pain can be acute or chronic (long-term).
Acute pain syndrome occurs in the following cases:
- sprains of the spine (pain sensations are localized on the left and right, do not radiate anywhere, and mobility is limited);
- injuries to the lumbar vertebrae, which lead to sharp acute pain (first the back hurts while walking, then when you lie or sit);
- displacement of the intervertebral discs (pain appears on the right or left side, the person takes a forced position, possible loss of sensitivity);
- arthrosis of the intervertebral joints (back pain in the kidney area on one side, where there is also a decrease in sensitivity).
The pain can be localized on both the right and left sides
Pain becomes chronic in a number of diseases:
- spondyloarthrosis deformans: the so-called intermittent claudication, nagging, aching pain, weakness in the limbs and decreased sensitivity;
- ankylosing spondylosis: pain is more often diagnosed in young people, with lower back pain, stiffness after sleep in the morning, in parallel, poor posture is observed, discomfort may appear in the thoracic region;
- tumor formations;
- osteomyelitis (infectious inflammation of the bones);
- tumor formations;
- multiple myeloma.
Unilateral pain in the kidney area
Unilateral localization of pain, in addition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, can be associated directly with the organ of the urinary system. Pain on the right side is accompanied by the following conditions:
- acute pyelonephritis or exacerbation of a chronic process: pain from the inflamed kidney is observed, dysuric disorders occur, and the temperature rises;
- nephroptosis (or prolapse of the kidney): the pain is dull, long-lasting, mild, and intensifies with prolonged standing or sitting.
This also includes urolithiasis, a complication of which is renal colic: the pain is acute, intense on the affected side, radiates along the ureter to the groin area, the patient rushes about, cannot take a forced position. We are also talking about tumors in the kidney of various types.
Some patients have back pain in the area of the kidneys on the right with diseases of the gallbladder, gynecological problems, gastrointestinal diseases, appendicitis, which is not so common. If pain at the level of the kidneys bothers you on the left side of the back, it means that the pathological process concerns the left kidney (prolapse of the kidney, acute pyelonephritis, movement of stones from the left kidney, etc.). By the way, nephroptosis, as a rule, most often affects the right kidney.
It should be noted that with a kidney disease such as glomerulonephritis, the pain is always bilateral.
Often the pain radiates to the groin area
Why do your kidneys hurt?
Leading doctors name the most likely reasons why the back and kidneys hurt:
- Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process that torments the patient just after sleep.
- Formation of stones in the bladder and kidneys. If an ultrasound reveals only sand, the doctor prescribes therapy aimed at cleansing the organs, a process that is painless. If there are stones, then you need to provide the formations with complete rest. If they begin to move, there is a huge risk of getting stuck in the ducts and canals, then an operation will have to be performed urgently.
- Kidney failure is diagnosed after severe poisoning, it can be low-quality fish or mushrooms, it also occurs due to mechanical injury.
How pain manifests itself
Common accompanying symptoms that can occur in a variety of diseases include weakness, lethargy, decreased performance, irritability, worsening mood, fever, insomnia, etc. Pathologies of the urinary system are often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- increased blood pressure (often associated specifically with kidney pathology, with an increase in diastolic pressure observed);
- swelling in the morning (swelling “goes” from top to bottom, which indicates its renal origin);
- dysuric disorders (pollakiuria - frequent urination, stronguria - painful urination, etc.).
The listed phenomena are most likely of a renal nature, and if they are combined with back pain, you should consult a doctor (to begin with, a therapist). Another characteristic sign of pathology of the genitourinary system is a change in the color of urine. It may become discolored or turn the color of “meat slop” (glomerulonephritis); blood or purulent inclusions, flakes, etc. may be observed in the urine.
If the pain becomes unbearable, severe, and excruciating, you should immediately seek medical help. Perhaps we are talking about renal colic, which is poorly controlled with conventional painkillers. The urine output becomes small and blood may be visible in it.
Any back pain requires consultation with a doctor
Pain syndrome in pregnant women
During pregnancy, the load on the back increases significantly, which is due to an increase in the weight of the fetus. This is a completely normal phenomenon that can be alleviated with the help of a special support belt for pregnant women or a bandage. The discomfort in this case is long-lasting and aching, but it should not bring unbearable pain. Back pain in pregnant women worsens while walking and standing and is relieved while lying down.
The renal nature of back pain should not be excluded. In pregnant women, chronic kidney diseases (for example, pyelonephritis) may worsen, which requires quick and competent treatment. The occurrence of swelling is a serious reason to consult a doctor, as this may be a manifestation of gestosis - a very dangerous condition.
With the latter, however, there is usually no pain in the kidneys, but this is not a reason for a pregnant woman to be inattentive to herself. It is imperative to monitor your blood pressure: the presence of edema and arterial hypertension are indications for emergency hospitalization.
Typical pain associated with back problems
Discomfort in the lower back associated with disorders of the musculoskeletal system has the following specifics:
- pain in the affected area is nagging and prolonged;
- increase with physical activity and intense work;
- may appear suddenly (“shoot through”) and disappear when changing body position;
- the back can hurt so much that a person tries in every possible way to minimize the load and limit movement (exacerbation of spinal diseases);
- Stiffness may be felt in the morning, which then gradually goes away;
- pain can radiate to the buttocks and legs;
- with curvature of the spine, the pain is localized above the lower back.
Discomfort in the kidney area may indicate problems with the spine
The influence of alcohol
After drinking alcohol, if you feel pain in your kidneys, you need to go to the hospital.
Only a doctor, after a full examination, will be able to prescribe the correct medications and prevent the development of dangerous processes.
The very first thing is to give up alcohol.
It will take only 2 months for the kidneys to fully resume proper functioning. Doctors generally prescribe specific treatments for kidney disease. You need to follow a diet for kidney pain, do not eat fatty or salty foods, and often walk outside. And if you follow all this, you can completely restore kidney function.
For example, a decoction based on the leaves and buds of birch, black elderberry, oregano, lingonberry leaves, nettle, juniper, celery root, lemon balm, dill seeds, sage.
And to crush kidney stones, you can drink decoctions of parsley and knotweed. For infusion you need up to 300 grams of different herbs.
Diagnostic measures
A person who experiences pain in the area of the kidneys (for example, in the area of the left kidney, below or above, etc.) cannot know for sure that the problem lies precisely in the pathology of the urinary system. Therefore, the first thing they do in such cases is to consult a general practitioner (therapist). The doctor clarifies the medical history, collects subjective (patient complaints, asks to show with your hand where it hurts) and objective data (examination, palpation, etc.).
A referral for tests (general urine and blood tests) is required. In some cases, making a diagnosis is not difficult. For example, if a patient complains of pain during urination, frequent urge to go to the toilet, a decrease in the amount of urine discharge, or pain in the suprapubic area, we are most likely talking about cystitis. Taking into account the research results obtained, a diagnosis is made.
Additionally, ultrasound of the kidneys, urography, etc. may be prescribed. If back pain is not associated with renal pathology, damage to the musculoskeletal system or neurological disorders is suspected. Instrumental research methods are prescribed: radiography, ultrasound, CT, MRI.
In pregnant women, pain in the kidney area is usually associated not with the paired organ, but with pressure on the back
Diagnostics
If your kidneys systematically hurt after sleep, this may indicate serious abnormalities in the human body. Therefore, it is very important to carry out diagnostic procedures in a timely and professional manner, on the basis of which a correct diagnosis can be made.
To identify disorders in the functioning of the kidneys, the patient is first prescribed a general and special urine analysis. Based on the results of these studies, markers of inflammation are identified, as well as changes in the organ. You must take tests immediately after waking up and do not eat anything. This is necessary to avoid increased toxicity caused by food. For the same purpose, a general and biochemical blood test is prescribed.
Tests must be taken on an empty stomach
But as medical practice shows, laboratory tests alone are unfortunately not enough to make a diagnosis. In addition to them, instrumental ones are also needed. The most effective of them are:
- ultrasonography;
- cytoscopy;
- renography;
- urography;
- angiography;
- scintigraphy.
Only after the doctor has the results of all the studies performed will he be able to accurately make a diagnosis, as well as find out the cause of the disease and prescribe an effective and, in each case, purely individual treatment.
Treatment
Regardless of the cause of lower back pain, only a doctor can prescribe treatment. Moreover, the specialization of the health worker will correspond to the established pathology: kidney diseases are treated by a therapist, nephrologist or urologist, diseases of the musculoskeletal system - by an orthopedist, surgeon, neurologist. For renal pathology, antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, restorative therapy, and a therapeutic diet may be prescribed.
When treating spinal diseases, the main rule is to reduce the load on the back. If you are overweight, you need to choose a hypocaloric diet. Exacerbation requires the use of nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and in some cases novocaine blockades are performed. It is possible to use orthopedic corsets and belts. During the period of remission, they engage in physical therapy, swimming, and undergo massage courses and physiotherapeutic procedures.