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Lower Back Pain Can Be A Sign Of A Kidney Illness

11th October, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

There can be dozens of possible causes of back pain. Most people assume their back pain is being caused by nerve damage or a spinal injury. Sometimes, there can also be a problem with the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the back. Such is not always the case, however.

The actual source of the pain may be 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?

Location is your first clue. 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.

Kidney pain is also often acute. In other words, it happens suddenly. You can go from “no pain” to “great discomfort” in a relatively short period of time.

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. When a kidney stone becomes lodged in a ureter, obstructing the flow of urine, it can cause extreme pain.

Another typical symptom of a kidney problem is discoloration of your urine. If it’s darker than normal, you may have a kidney or bladder issue.

Generally speaking, most people with kidney or bladder disorders feel the need to urinate more often than usual. However, when they try, they often find that not much urine is actually produced.

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

Medical intervention isn’t always necessary when you have a kidney stone. Sometimes stones pass out of the body on their own during urination. This is more likely to occur if you drink a lot of water. Back pain and discomfort stops immediately.

Kidney stones, although they can cause extreme pain and discomfort, are not considered a threat to life.

However, the same cannot be said for a kidney infection, which can lead to kidney failure. Kidney failure can be fatal. Therefore, if you even suspect your back pain is coming from a kidney infection, it’s best to call a doctor right away.

Need more information on similar subjects? Click on renal failure. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV reporter with a special interest in topics related to the kidneys. You can read more of his articles about kidney problems at http://www.kidney-problem.org.