Kidney stones can cause a person to experience excruciating pain that feels like spasms. This pain may also spread to the groin. However, if kidney pain worsens when a person bends over or lifts something, it may be the result of back muscle or bone problems rather than an issue affecting the kidney.
It may be a sign of an infection, injury or another health problem, such as kidney stones. Because of where your kidneys are in your body, kidney pain is also often confused with back pain. Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing your kidney pain and to find the right treatment.
In comparison, kidney pain is typically located higher on your back and it often feels deeper. Most of the time, kidney pain symptoms occur under your ribs, to the right or left of your spine. Kidney pain may also radiate to other areas, such as your abdomen or groin.
The most prominent symptoms of kidney stones are severe abdominal or lower back pain. When patients visit the emergency room or their primary care doctor to discuss these symptoms, they can be mistaken as either appendicitis or general lower back pain.
Type of pain: Kidney pain comes from a deeper place than the muscles. This means it usually doesn't get worse with lifting, twisting, or bending like muscle pain does. Sometimes kidney pain feels dull and constant.
With kidney stones, the pain won't disappear when you move, and some positions may even make it worse.
The most common cause of kidney pain is from kidney stones, and this will not improve when you lie down and rest. Similarly, any symptoms of kidney inflammation or kidney failure will not let up with rest.
If your muscles are strained, they will feel like a sore or tight ache. A pulled muscle would not feel hot, tingling, or electric like an irritated nerve root would. The pain would only subside while you are relaxed and resting, as the tension and spasms are alleviated.
Call your health care provider right away if you feel constant, dull, one-sided pain in your back or side. Ask for a same-day appointment if you also: Have fever, body aches and fatigue. Had a recent urinary tract infection.
Pain from the kidneys is often constant, or can be sharp, like being stabbed. Pain from the muscles or the spine comes on with bending over or with lifting, and may be felt in the middle of the back or on either side of the back. Infection- An infection in a kidney is called acute pyelonephritis.
Kidney pain can feel like a dull ache to start, or sharp and acute. In either case, the pain doesn't go away with rest and will worsen with time. It can be constant or come in waves.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to seek immediate medical help. Severe pain – Pain that prevents patients from finding a comfortable position, including severe pain in the lower back, abdomen or groin. If pain is not relieved by changing positions, it could be a kidney stone.
Research indicates that the best position to lay with kidney stones is on the side with the pain.
How long can you let a kidney infection go? You should not let a kidney infection go for even a few days. Seek medical attention as soon as you develop UTI symptoms. Lower urinary tract infections can quickly develop into kidney infections over a few hours to a few days.
Self-help for kidney infection
It's also important to get plenty of rest. Don't try to do too much while you're feeling unwell and recovering. You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if you need help with any pain.
Kidney stones are sometimes considered "the great mimicker" because their signs and symptoms are very similar to appendicitis, ovarian or testicular conditions, gastritis, and urinary tract infections.
Kidney pain can occur on one or both sides of the back just below the rib cage. Causes of kidney pain include UTIs, kidney stones, and blunt force trauma to the kidneys. Back pain can affect the entire back, but most people experience pain in the lower back.
With kidney pain, though, the pain is usually in the upper back, below the rib cage, and might feel deeper than typical back aches. Additionally, the kidney pain might get worse when lying down because of the pressure put on the infected kidneys.
Where Is the Pain Located? Pain due to kidney and renal stones is usually felt between the ribcage and the hips on one or both sides of the torso. Back pain that is due to a muscle or nerve issue is limited to the back, with some spreading to the upper buttocks as well.
Flank pain may be caused by muscle strain, lumbar spine arthritis, kidney stones, or other causes. How do I know if I have kidney stones? You may have kidney stones if you suddenly develop severe flank pain.