Back pain can come from a variety of possible causes. 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. But sometimes neither of these possible causes are responsible for your discomfort.
Your discomfort may actually be the result of a kidney problem. Kidney stone pain, according to many people who have experienced it, is some of the worst pain you’re ever likely to feel.
So how can you tell if your back pain is coming from a kidney problem rather than a muscle injury or nerve damage?
The location of your pain is one of your first and most reliable clues. Kidney pain usually happens in the “flank” region, which is just below the bottom of your rib cage.
Many times, pain from kidney disorders is described as “acute.” In other words, it comes on fast and it comes on strong.
Kidney stones typically cause back pain as they move out of the kidneys and down the urinary tract toward the bladder. But they can also cause a blockage in the ureters, which are the slender tubes connecting the bladder and kidneys.
Discolored urine is another symptom of a kidney problem. When you notice that your urine is darker than normal, it could indicate the presence of blood. This is definitely a good reason to talk to your doctor.
Anyone with a kidney disorder or some other type of urinary tract condition is likely to feel the need to urinate often – even though very little urine is produced in most cases.
Kidney stones and kidney infections will also usually cause a burning or stinging sensation during urination too.
Kidney stones don’t always have to be removed through surgery or shock wave treatment. They sometimes pass out of the body on their own dueing urination. This is more likely to take place if you drink a lot of water. When this happens, your back pain comes to an end.
Fortunately, although kidney stones can be extremely painful, they’re not considered to be life-threatening.
But a kidney infection, left untreated, can lead to kidney damage and even kidney failure. Therefore, if you even suspect your back pain is coming from a kidney infection, it’s best to call a doctor right away.
Are you interested in additional articles on related subjects? Click on renal failure. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV talk show host with a special interest in topics related to the kidneys. You can read more of his articles about kidney health at http://www.kidney-problem.org.
Posted September 3rd, 2010 by Author No Comments »