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Healthy Diet Plans >>  Health Issues and Diet >>  Kidney Pain

Kidney Pain


Many people experience back pain and are worried that it could be a symptom of kidney infection. Since the kidney’s location is slightly confusing for most people, they tend sometimes to mistake some other ailment for kidney disease. The pain due to a disorder of the kidney is usually felt in the region behind the kidneys. This area is slightly above the individual’s hips and on both sides of the spine. It is important that a person is able to identify additional kidney disease symptoms that will help them identify a kidney disorder.  Kidney pain refers to pain that stems from your kidneys.
The kidney pain location is usually above the hips and alongside the spine. In other words, pain due to any kidney disorder is usually felt in the flank (the side) or the small of your back. In some cases, the pain moves towards the abdomen’s center. Most people are unable to point out exactly where the pain is felt. Pains in the stomach or back are often mistaken to be kidney pain. This is because most people are not too sure about the kidney’s location. So, if you feel some sharp kidney pain in your flanks or under your rib cage area in your lower back region, it could be kidney pain. Pain occurs as the outer covering of the kidney (the renal capsule) is stretched due to a disorder that causes the kidney to stretch. The causes of right and left kidney pain could be kidney stones, kidney cancer, urinary tract infection, and kidney infection. Kidney pain relief is usually got when the kidney infection heals or when the stone passes away from your urine.

Kidney Pain Causes


So what are the right kidney pain causes and are they different from the left kidney pain causes. Sharp kidney pain causes could be due to health conditions such as the following:
  • Kidney stones are caused when there is an imbalance of fluids and minerals in the kidney that causes the urine to solidify. These kidney stones are responsible for blocking the urinary duct and making it difficult for the urine to flow out, thus causing pain. Arteriosclerosis is a condition wherein the artery walls get blocked by fats. As a result of this, the arteries harden and block the flow of blood. Consequently, the blood supply to the kidney gets cut off and this results in pain.   
  • As a result of kidney infection, the kidney tissues tend to swell and cause kidney pain.
  • Another cause of kidney pain is urinary tract infection. One of the most common intermittent kidney pain causes is infection.
  • Polycystic kidney is a condition wherein the kidneys of an individual get enlarged. As a result of this, the person begins to experience pain in the front abdomen region instead of the back.
  • Those suffering from kidney cancer also experience pain as the cancer may cause the kidney nerve or capsule to stretch.
  • One of the main bilateral kidney pain causes could be the presence of kidney stones in both the kidneys.

Kidney Pain Symptoms


Being able to identify kidney pain signs is important as it will allow you to get the right treatment. If you have one or more of right kidney pain symptoms or left kidney pain signs, it is important that you consult with your doctor. Right kidney pain symptoms could be blockage of urine due to kidney stones. Kidney stones symptoms include blood in urine, vomiting and nausea, severe back pain, burning sensation while passing urine, and fever and chills. The patient finds it very difficult to stay still and keeps changing position. Kidney pain symptoms location could be in the flank area, and even slightly touching the area could cause a sharp pain. If you notice pain or burning sensation while urinating, flank pain, swelling of your body parts (feet, ankles, hands, lower back, face and abdomen), and increased urination, consult your doctor immediately. Kidney pain symptoms in men include a need to frequently urinate, burning sensation or pain while passing urine, pain in the groin and stomach region, and bloating of the stomach. Kidney pain signs in women include fever, cloudy urine, strong urine smell, and pain in the lower back region. Generally speaking, the symptoms for men and women are more or less the same. In certain cases of low grade infection, tumors, kidney failure and stones that are not in the way of urine flow, a person may not exhibit any symptoms.

Kidney Pain Treatment


So what are the options available for kidney pain treatment? Your first step would be to consult your doctor. After diagnosis and identification of the cause of kidney pain, the doctor may prescribe medications and other procedures for treatment. There are also many kidney pain home treatment options available that you can try instead of taking kidney pain treatment medications; however, it is always best to first consult a doctor and use the home and natural remedies alongside medical treatment.
  • One of the best home remedies that will help you get rid of kidney stones is drinking plenty of fluids. Drinking extra fluids also helps flush bacteria and germs out of your system.
  • Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey in eight ounces of warm water and drink this concoction within a minute. Repeat this 3 to 4 times daily.
  • Drink a mixture of ¾ portion of water and ¼ portion of cranberry juice; do this a couple of times during the day for quick relief.  
  • Following a kidney pain diet cure program is also extremely beneficial.
  • Kidney pain treatment during pregnancy is best administered under the guidance of your health care provider.
  • Herbal therapy is also extremely beneficial in case of kidney pain.
  • Add a few drops of sandalwood and eucalyptus oil to your bath and soak yourself in it for about 10 minutes for quick relief from kidney pain.
  • Regular intake of celery is extremely beneficial for those prone to kidney stones.
  • The high concentration of water in watermelons makes it one of the best diuretics that can be used to provide relief from kidney stones.
  • Basil helps strengthen your kidneys. Take about one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of basil juice daily for about six months.
Submitted on January 16, 2014