Is A Kidney Problem Causing My Back Pain?

Dozens of possible diseases and conditions can contribute to back pain. Of course, back pain often results from an injury. More often than not, the pain comes from damage to soft tissue like muscles and ligaments. It may also be the result of nerve damage in the spinal column. Such is not always the case, however.

The trouble may be coming from an organ inside your body: namely, a kidney problem. Some people say that pain from a kidney stone or kidney infection is the worst pain they've ever felt.

So how can you tell if your back pain is coming from a kidney problem rather than a muscle injury or nerve damage?

One of the best clues is the location of your discomfort. 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.

Pain from a kidney problem often comes on fast and strong. You seem fine - and then a few minutes later you're dealing with a lot of discomfort.

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.

The mid-to-lower back is usually the first place you'll feel the pain of a kidney stone. In some cases, the pain will radiate around to the front of your body and cause discomfort in the abdominal area. In some instances, men may feel pain in the testicles.

Pain caused by renal problems often comes on quickly - as the saying goes, you "don't know what hit you."

Kidney stones are a typical cause of back pain, which occurs when they love out of the kidneys, into the ureters, and down toward the bladder. But they can also cause a blockage in the ureters, which are the slender tubes connecting the bladder and kidneys.

Another sign of a kidney problem is dark urine. If your urine is reddish or reddish brown, it could mean there's blood in your stream - a sign that something is probably wrong.

When you have a kidney problem or some other disorder of the urinary tract, you'll probably feel a need to urinate more often than usual. However, most of the time, not much urine will actually come out.

You'll also probably feel a stinging or burning sensation during urination if you have kidney stones or a kidney infection.

Kidney stones sometimes pass out of your body when you urinate, especially if you drink a lot of water. Back pain ends immediately when this happens.

Kidney stones - while they may cause severe pain and discomfort - are not considered to be life-threatening.

A kidney infection, however, can lead to kidney failure. When kidney failure is left untreated, it is potentially fatal. Obviously, these measures are extremely serious. So if you have any reason to suspect your back pain is due to a kidney problem, you should get in touch with your doctor right away.