Are you experiencing back pain on either side of the spine? Is the pain felt dull or sharp? Is the pain severe and consistent? It is accompanied by pain while urinating? Or is there presence of blood and other sediments in your urine? Then chances are you don’t have a simple back pain but instead you are suffering from kidney pain. To know more about this kind of pain read through the article as it will discuss the location, signs and symptoms and causes of kidney pain.
Kidney Pain
Kidney pain refers to the pain that is coming from the kidney. It is describe as a dull but constant pain below the twelfth rib. It often spread to the umbilicus or navel area. It is often confused with radiculitis, a skin hyperesthesia caused by the peripheral nerve. A method called Murphy’s percussion will help differentiate the two. In this method pressure is exerted on the part of the body called costovertebral angle. This is found right after the twelfth rib at the back of the body. To elicit radiculitis, pressure exerted by a thumb will bring forth local tenderness. Kidney pain on the other hand entails soft and gentle pounding of the angle for pain to be felt. From here it is evident that more pressure is exerted to elicit kidney pain since it involves deeper visceral organ.
Location and Anatomy of Kidneys
The kidney is a bean-shaped excretory organ that is part of the urinary system. Its main function is to eliminate body waste and at the same time maintain a specified water and electrolyte level. The human body has two kidneys that are found behind the peritoneum just below the diaphragm and lies between the third lumbar vertebra and the twelfth thoracic vertebra. The presence of the liver made the right kidney situated lower than the left kidney. Both of them are protected by adipose tissues and supported by the peritoneum and renal fascia.
Kidney pain is also mistaken for pain arising from other organs situated near the kidneys such as
- liver and pancreas that are located at the front of the right and left kidneys respectively
- muscle of the low back called quadratus lumborum muscle
- psoas major muscle that is found at the side of the thoracic region
- colon and spleen
Other conditions mistaken to be kidney pain are ovulation and menstrual pain for women as well as pain resulting from trauma and too much exertion. Ureteral pain and bladder discomfort are two different conditions that are closely related to kidney pain.
Picture : Kidney Pain Location ( right and left upper quadrant )
image source : healthhype.com
Kidney Pain Symptoms and Signs
Laboratory examinations and specific diagnostic procedure will differentiate these other organ pain from that of the kidney. It is also helpful to take note of the signs and symptoms of kidney pain. These includes
- presence of sediments or blood in the urine
- burning pain during urination
- difficulty in urinating and low urine out put
- irregular urine flow characterized by sudden start or stop of urination
- abnormal drastic urine color changes
- fever may also arise in certain circumstances
But these signs and symptoms do not always accompany kidney pain.
Kidney Pain Causes
What causes kidney pain?
Common cause of kidney pain is distention of the renal capsule. It may also result from injury of the kidneys and even infection.
Infection will result to inflammation of tissues thus stretching the renal capsules that are found around the kidneys. A sharp pain is produced. Kidney infection is more appropriately called pyelonephritis.
More specific cause is kidney stones of which the kidney pain produced it termed colic. This means that it is severe and comes in waves. This is because the stones are stuck in the ureter.
Other causes are kidney cancer (that also stretches the renal capsules), bladder spasm and kidney disease.
Kidney pain Treatment
Treatment of kidney pain depends on its underlying cause. It is therefore imperative to see a doctor for proper diagnosis first. It will also be the doctor that will determine the treatment plan or give temporary pain relievers for the patient.
Overall, a simple back pain should not be ignored and concluded as just a passing back pain. A simple twinge while urinating may not be just one time. It should be monitored and evaluated. It won’t do any harm to be watchful of our health. Annual physical examinations can be beneficial as well. We cannot just risk our lives on unconfirmed hunches.
References
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000458.htm
Also Read:
- Basic Information Regarding Kidney Infection
- Kidney Stone
- Symptoms and Prevention for Chronic Kidney Disease
- Tips and tricks to prevent back pain.
- Role of Diabetes in Kidney Disease
by on 12. Sep, 2010 in Diseases and Conditions
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