Most people have difficulty determining the source of back pain - the kidneys or the spine. Therefore, at the household level, renal colic is often confused with symptoms of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Meanwhile, the paired organ has its own specificity and characteristic symptoms that arise during illness.
You can understand what hurts—the lower back or the kidneys—if you pay attention to the associated symptoms. Normally, diseases of kidney origin occur in the context of a deterioration in well-being, accompanied by a temperature. Attacks of nausea and frequent urination are possible.
In addition, kidney pain is always located at the site of the paired organ. It may appear on the left or right side but rarely shoots in the back. If pain is expressed in the middle of the lower back, it is more likely to occur in the spine or back muscles.
In urological practice, pain in the lower back may have different intensities, frequency and frequency of occurrence, passing or not after the use of antispasmodics.
Can the kidneys hurt?
Yes, you can't rule out that if your back hurts, your kidneys are the source of the problem. Discomfort or painful sensations of varying degrees are manifested in such cases:
- organ prolapse (nephroptosis);
- inflammation (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis);
- the formation of stones;
- other diseases of the genitourinary system.
Low back pain caused by the kidneys is dull or sharp, weak or sharp. In many cases they are indistinguishable from the painful sensations experienced with sciatica or osteochondrosis. Pain can spread to other areas: groin, thigh, etc.
Sometimes the discomfort is alleviated and instead intensifies—for example, with pressure spikes in patients with nephroptosis or dislodged stones.
How to tell if your kidneys hurt
When the source of low back pain is the kidney, associated symptoms often appear. It is even possible to identify them independently at home. However, for a more accurate diagnosis of the disease, you should contact specialist specialists. It is only on the basis of comprehensive diagnostic measures that it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective therapy.
Another sign: When the kidneys hurt, the pain in the lower back does not go away or does not get worse when the position of the body is changed - this is characteristic of a disease of the spine. The pain is felt constantly and is usually removed only by spastic pain relievers.
Characteristics of kidney pain
Back pain due to the kidney is of two main types:
When the reason is that the lower back hurts, the kidneys - the painful sensations do not change by nature. They are dull or acute - according to the etiology of the disease. But spinal muscle pain is different: it often flows from the acute to the voiceless phase, disappears at rest and starts again at the beginning of the activity.
Back Pain Location
If you "listen" carefully to yourself, you can feel exactly where the back pain is in the kidney region. As the pair organ is located some distance from the surface of the body, behind the spine, the painful sensations are concentrated there, in the depths. Conversely, when a person experiences discomfort near the surface of the back, it is more likely to be due to the spine or back muscles.
Whenever there is back pain in the kidney region, the true cause can be safely judged. Effective diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound, CT and MRI, help clarify the diagnosis. In addition, blood and urine tests are performed. All these procedures are performed at the clinic under the supervision of the attending physician.
pain irradiation
Back pain in the area usually spreads throughout the body, causing discomfort.
Pain can affect the following parts of the body:
- inner thigh area;
- stomach;
- groin area.
Pronounced cramps in the urethra are possible - they are also caused by kidney pathology.
There is no need to doubt that the back can hurt from the kidneys - this is a common symptom of the inflammatory process within the organ. If pain is felt both in the lower back and below, then a kidney pathology can be accurately assumed.
Back pain and physical activity
In osteochondrosis or rheumatism, the person has limited movement, it is difficult for him to squat and squat, it is often not possible to straighten up - any change in body position is accompanied by strong sensations of pain.
Back pain associated with kidney disease is expressed differently. A person may feel discomfort when standing or lying on their back and, in other positions, not feel pain. Posture changes are much easier. Finding a comfortable position can give you relief.
Physical mobility is more difficult to tolerate with nephroptosis: with active movement, back pain, where the kidneys are, can increase.
touching the back
To find out if the kidneys or spine are the source of lower back pain, you can use the back patting technique.
Touch Algorithm:
If, upon hitting, the back pain in the kidney region increases, then the pair organ is its true source.
It is important to understand that the effectiveness of this method does not depend on the force of the blow: pain manifests when the shock occurs as a result of the blow. Therefore, when playing in a home environment, the assistant should act with caution.
The real causes of pain in the lower back
You can understand why your back hurts in the kidney area by finding out what caused the discomfort. Most of the time, the reasons are external - they are associated with physical activity, increased stress, a sudden change in temperature, illness.
To know why there was pain - in the kidneys or in the spine - just remember what happened the day before. The following events usually lead to rheumatism:
- strenuous physical work;
- abrupt or intense training;
- lifting weights;
- any unusual charges;
- unhappy fall.
All of this often leads to stretching of muscles, compression of nerves, displacement of spinal discs, or formation of a hernia.
Kidney problems are caused by swimming in cold water, hypothermia, sitting on the floor or by a viral illness - ARVI or sore throat.
Other signs of kidney disease
How to distinguish kidney pain from osteochondrosis or sciatica? To do this, it is enough to pay attention to the symptoms that are only characteristic of kidney diseases.
The following signs never accompany spinal problems:
- intense heat - the temperature rises to 40 C;
- noticeable swelling in the morning;
- blood and pus impurities in urine;
- increased urination;
- burning sensation when urinating;
- pressure surges;
- nausea;
- sleep deterioration.
How to distinguish pyelonephritis from osteochondrosis or back muscle problems? A clear sign of the inflammatory process is the appearance of purulent particles in the urine.
Back Pain Symptoms
If the lower back contracts, the kidneys have nothing to do with it. The symptoms of spinal disorders and muscle problems are very similar. However, muscle spasms are indicated by the characteristic tingling sensations, it is possible that "shivers" occur where it hurts. Muscles seem to go numb, but sensitivity is restored with the use of surface heating agents - gels, ointments or other drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Rubbing is ineffective for kidney problems. But taking antispasmodic medications alleviates the patient's condition. Another tip on how to distinguish osteochondrosis from kidney pain caused by stones is to take a hot shower. As a result of exposure to heat, the body will relax and the stone spasm will be relieved.
Tests for kidney and low back pain
When shooting in the kidney, it is important to pass a comprehensive exam, of which general tests are a part. Renal pathology is confirmed by an elevated level of ESR and white blood cells, and sometimes by low hemoglobin in the blood. Urine test should confirm leukocytosis, with inflammation - shows pus impurities, with stones - an excess of salts and blood impurities.
To clarify the diagnosis of an inflammatory disease, urine samples are collected. Also a urine culture is prescribed.
When the source of low back pain is the kidney, treatment is formulated after additional abdominal ultrasound. CT scan is prescribed if neoplasia is suspected.
Non-renal pathologies are primarily diagnosed by examination and X-ray examination.