How to realize that it’s your kidneys that hurt, not your back. Doctor answers

How to realize that it’s your kidneys that hurt, not your back. Doctor answers

In both cases, unpleasant sensations occur in the lower back, but there are a few differences.

MD, pediatrician, nutriciologist, co-founder of the Academy of Physicians UniProf

How to distinguish back pain from kidney pain?

Painful sensations in the lower back can talk about problems with both the urinary system and the musculoskeletal system. Pain in this area occurs and with inflammatory processes in the abdominal region, and with tension in the back.

About what exercises will help relieve pain in the back, told in the material below.

At first glance, symptomatically, back pain and kidney pain are similar. They occur in the same area, limit movement and in some cases are felt quite acutely. However, with kidney problems, pain sensations may not be present at all, because of which the disease enters a neglected stage. How to know that the problems are related to them?

Increased temperature

If it is the kidneys that hurt, pain more often occurs on one side of the back (left or right) just below the ribs. This condition is often accompanied by a fever, a feeling of brokenness, weakness, increased blood pressure, chills, headache. Such symptoms are not characteristic of problems with the musculoskeletal system.

The pain is aching and deeper

If the pain is associated with pathologies of the muscles of the back and spine, they are more often superficial, can be pulling, shooting, sharp, “recoil” in the lower extremity, sometimes accompanied by a feeling of numbness.

With kidney problems, the pain is deeper, often aching, dull, gives into the groin, iliac region. The exception is renal colic, which is characterized by severe attack-like pain.

Painful sensations are constant

Pain syndrome in back problems can intensify or subside when changing the position of the body. Whereas in kidney disease, the pain does not depend on whether you are sitting or standing.

Warming ointment doesn’t help

Muscle and spine pain subsides with the application of ointments with a warming effect or anti-inflammatory components in the composition. Kidney pain such means do not take away.

Problems with urination

Kidney disease is often accompanied by problems with urination, it can be painful and frequent.

If the pain in the lumbar region does not decrease at rest, constantly increases, while there is an increase in temperature and weight loss, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor.

And about the non-obvious signs of a heart attack, told in our article.