Have you ever felt a strange pain in your back? It feels like it's coming from deep inside your body. Are you struggling to figure out if it's just a backache or a kidney problem? Many people confuse the two. But there are clear differences between the two. So, today we'll talk about what kidney pain is, what causes it, and when we should be concerned about it.
Let's first see, what are these kidneys?
Simply put, the kidneys are two small, but very important organs in our body. They are shaped like beans, about the size of your fist. They are located on either side of our spine, just below the rib cage.
The service performed by these two small organs is no small feat. The kidneys filter our blood, removing waste products, water, and acids from it, and excrete them as urine . Not only that, but they also produce hormones that help control our blood pressure , keep our bones strong, and make red blood cells .
So if the kidneys, which perform such an important function, become diseased or damaged, it affects our entire body. Therefore, it is very important that we pay attention to any signals coming from the kidneys, especially pain.
What other symptoms come with kidney pain?
When you have kidney pain, there may be several other symptoms depending on the cause. If you put these together, it will be easier for you to understand.
| Nature of pain | Other symptoms that accompany the pain |
|---|---|
| It usually feels like a constant ache . | Fever and chills |
| Pain under the rib cage, on one side of the back (sometimes both sides), or in the stomach area. | Vomiting or nausea |
| Severe, sharp pain that sometimes comes in waves (especially if there are kidney stones). | Pain or burning when urinating |
| The pain may spread to the groin area or abdomen. | Dark or bloody urine |
What are the main causes of kidney pain?
There is not just one cause of kidney pain , there can be many. Let's look at some of the main causes.
Kidney Stones
This is the most common and severe cause of kidney pain. Imagine a sudden, unbearable pain that feels like a knife stabbing you in the back and travels to your groin. The pain comes and goes like a wave. This is caused by a mineral deposit (stone) that forms in the kidney and travels down the urinary tract , blocking the urethra.
Kidney Infections
Pain can also be caused by a bacterial infection of the kidneys (medically called ``Pyelonephritis''). This condition usually occurs when a urinary tract infection (UTI) gets worse without proper treatment. This pain is accompanied by symptoms such as high fever and chills .
Dehydration
Our kidneys need plenty of water to function properly. Especially in the heat of our country, if we don't drink enough water while exercising, the body can become dehydrated. Then, as waste products are not properly eliminated from the body, the kidneys can become overloaded and painful. Also, lack of water is a major cause of kidney stones.
Other reasons
In addition to the above reasons, kidney pain can be caused by other factors.
- Urinary Retention: When the bladder cannot be completely emptied, urine can back up into the kidneys, causing them to swell and become painful.
- Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR): This is when urine flows back up from the bladder, towards the kidneys. This can lead to frequent urinary tract infections and kidney damage.
- Hydronephrosis: Due to some obstruction, urine does not flow properly down the kidneys, causing them to fill and swell.
- Kidney Cysts/Tumors: Pain can also occur when fluid-filled cysts or tumors, whether cancerous or non-cancerous, develop. Remember, not all pain is cancer. However, it is important to seek medical advice to rule out such things.
- Kidney Injury: Pain can occur if the kidneys are injured while playing a sport (e.g. rugby, boxing) or in an accident.
Is this kidney pain? Or is it back pain? How do you know for sure?
This is the biggest problem that many people have. If you know the difference between these two pains, you can avoid being unnecessarily afraid.
| Characteristic | Kidney Pain | Common Back Pain |
|---|---|---|
| Where the pain is felt | It feels deep inside the body, right at the top of the back, under the ribs. | It is usually felt in the lower back. |
| Nature of pain | A constant, dull ache. Sometimes a sharp pain that comes like a throbbing pain. | A pain that feels like a muscle being twisted or pulled. It may increase with activity. |
| Changing positions | The pain does not decrease even if you change positions or sleep. | The pain may decrease when you change positions and rest a little. |
| Other features | It comes with things like fever, vomiting, and urinary problems (pain, bleeding). | The pain may radiate down one leg. There are usually no symptoms such as fever. |
When should you definitely see a doctor?
Even if you can't tell if the pain you're experiencing is from your back or your kidneys, you should see a doctor without delay if you have the following symptoms:
- If it is a persistent pain
- If you have a fever and chills
- If there is blood in the urine
- If you have pain or burning when urinating
- If nausea or vomiting occurs
- If the pain is sudden, sharp and unbearable
If you have these symptoms, it could be a sign of a serious condition. So see your doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes you may be referred to the Emergency Department (ETU) . It's nothing to worry about, it's just to find the cause and start treatment as soon as possible.
How does a doctor diagnose and treat this?
When you go to the doctor, he will first ask you about the pain and other symptoms, examine you, and then order several tests to determine the exact cause.
- Urine Tests: Check for infection, blood, or protein.
- Blood Tests: Check for signs of infection and kidney function.
- Scans: You may be asked to have an ultrasound , CT, or MRI scan to check the shape of your kidneys and to check for stones, tumors, or other obstructions.
Treatment depends on the cause of your pain.
- If it is an infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you.
- In the case of kidney stones, small stones can be dissolved by taking medication and drinking plenty of water. Large stones may need to be broken up and removed through surgery or other methods.
The most important thing is, do not take any painkillers you feel like without consulting a doctor. Because some types of painkillers can be harmful to the kidneys. Therefore, always seek medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- If you have a deep, sharp pain in your upper back, coming from the side, there's a good chance it's kidney pain.
- If this pain is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, vomiting, blood in the urine, or burning sensation in the urethra, it could be something serious. So see a doctor immediately.
- Back pain and kidney pain are two different things. Knowing the difference between the two is very important for your health.
- Do not take any medication, especially painkillers, until the cause is determined. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
Kidney pain, back pain, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, kidney symptoms, kidney pain sinhala, kidney disease
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