Back Pain: Is It An Indication Of Kidney Stones?

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that form a part of the excretory system. The kidneys are responsible for purifying the blood of various wastes and toxins which are then thrown out of the body along with the urine. The kidneys also regulate various metabolic activities that are vital for our existence. These are located on either side of the lower back, just below the rib cage which means that if anything is wrong with your kidneys, the pain is likely to radiate to your lower back.

This is the reason why a lot of people mistake kidney pain for back pain and vice versa.

What are kidney stones?

A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. “Nephrolithiasis” is the medical term for kidney stones. One in every 20 people develop kidney stones at some point in their life. With the right foods, plenty of water, and proper medication, you can lower your chances of kidney stones.

What causes them?

·        Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine.

·        Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation.

 

Know the risk factors that can increase your vulnerability to developing kidney stones and avoid them:

·        Genetic factor increases your risk of getting kidney stones; forty percent of the people who get kidney stones have relatives who have them, too.

·        Excess amount of certain minerals in your system may increase your risk.

·        When you’re overweight, you tend to get kidney stones more often. The same is true if you have diabetes.

·        Gout, the painful condition when uric acid builds up in your blood increases your risk of kidney stones.

·        If you’ve had certain types of gastric bypass surgery or other intestinal surgery, your risk may go up.

·        Certain kidney diseases may make you more prone to getting kidney stones. One example is polycystic kidney disease, in which clusters of cysts grow in your kidneys. Another is medullary sponge kidney, a birth defect that causes cysts to form in the organ’s tubes.

 

Now how can we differentiate kidney pain from normal back pain?

There are some ways to tell if your back pain may be kidney pain:

• Location00
• Kidney pain is usually felt slightly higher in the back, on one or both sides, often just under the rib cage
• Back problems usually affect the lower back
• Duration
• Kidney pain tends to be a constant ache
• Back pain may subside when you move

Signs of back pain that are not kidney pain include: 

• Pain that is stabbing, rather than dull and constant
• Pain shoots down one leg
• Pain worsens when you perform certain activities or movements
• Pain may lessen with rest 
• May be felt more in the muscles

You can consult the best doctors in callandcure.com for treating both kidney stones as well as back pain, however, it is important to recognize the symptoms and choose the right doctor accordingly.

How to deal with kidney stones:

·        Take charge of your diet and take any medications as prescribed to you.

·        Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated, especially when you exercise.

·        Check food labels. Read the ingredients. Avoid or eat less of foods with high amounts of ingredients like sodium chloride, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and sodium nitrate.

·        Choose foods wisely. Usually it’s good to get more spinach and nuts in your diet. But if you have calcium oxalate stones, which is the most common type, your doctor may tell you to avoid limit foods high in oxalates.

·        Avoid excess dairy foods and animal protein as they can up your chances of less common types of kidney stones.

·        Eat citrus fruits like lemons and limes that are high in citrate, which helps prevent kidney stones.

 

Treatments options:

·        Diagnosis of kidney stones is best accomplished using an ultrasound, intravenous pyleography (IVP), or a CT scan. Most kidney stones will pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own with time.

·        Treatment includes pain-control medications and, in some cases, medications to facilitate the passage of urine.

·        If needed, lithotripsy or surgical techniques may be used for stones which do not pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own.

·        Follow the above tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid kidney stones.

·        However if you are suffering from kidney stones do consult our Urology team for further guidance. Please find below link for further details:

https://callandcure.com/online-urologist