Lower back pain due to kidney disease. Why do your kidneys hurt? Characteristic signs and symptoms

01.01.2019 Health

Many people consider back pain to be one of the main signs of kidney disease. In some cases this is true, but there are exceptions. To understand that the problem is with the kidneys, it is necessary to take into account other symptoms.

The kidneys are responsible for producing urine and removing toxins from the body. If this function is disrupted, the person will automatically begin to feel weak. Malaise and fatigue will appear. One of the main symptoms of kidney disease is lower back pain. In this regard, many people begin to warm up, thinking that they have a cold in the lower back. But if the functioning of the kidneys is impaired, warming up is prohibited, since there is a risk of harming the body even more.


Another characteristic sign indicates impaired renal function. At first, slight pain in the bladder may appear, which over time will become stronger and turn into cutting pain. Normal urination is disrupted. In some cases, a person feels as if he always wants to go to the toilet, in other situations it leads to urinary incontinence. The discharge may be cloudy, sandy, or bloody. To prevent things from reaching extreme stages, consult a doctor when the first minor pain in the bladder appears. A feature of kidney diseases is swelling, which manifests itself mainly on the face. Faithful companions of edema - thirst, fatigue, increased blood pressure


, nausea and itchy skin. An elevated or unstable temperature also indicates kidney problems. When the cleansing function begins to work poorly, blurred vision and deterioration in appetite are observed.


Kidney pain can occur due to toxic poisoning with alcohol not intended for internal use. It can be found in various medications, colognes, lotions, etc. Poisoning can also occur from an overdose of heavy metal salts, amyloidosis, autoimmune pathologies, extensive body burns, and cancer.


If you think there is a problem with your kidneys, immediately contact a urologist and get examined. You will be asked to take a urine test, which will be examined for color, clarity and density, the presence of bacteria, protein, sugar, salts, as well as red and white blood cells. In some cases, it is necessary to take a blood test, undergo ultrasound diagnostics, and also be examined by a nephrologist and oncologist. After this, the doctor will establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.


When treatment is complete, take urological medications for several months. herbal teas for prevention. There is very good recipe to cleanse the kidneys. Take two lemons, rinse well and pass with the peel through a meat grinder. Then chop a few sprigs of parsley and add to the resulting lemon mixture. Put two tablespoons of honey there and stir. Store the mixture in the refrigerator and take one tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach. Remember that this recipe can only be used after complete and successful treatment.


If you feel better, do not stop taking the medications your doctor prescribed. Complete the treatment and get tested again. If everything is normal, strengthen your kidney function with folk recipes and regularly carry out disease prevention.

Lower back pain

Many have encountered the problem of pain in the lumbar region. It is not always possible to immediately understand whether the lower back or kidneys hurt.

The lower back can hurt for many reasons:

  • radiculitis,
  • osteochondrosis,
  • cholelithiasis,
  • aortic aneurysm,
  • pancreatitis,
  • stomach or duodenal ulcer,
  • kidney diseases,
  • inflammatory processes in the pelvic cavity.

Pain in the lumbar region can be a symptom of many diseases, of which 90% of cases are problems with the spine and back muscles, about 6% are kidney diseases, and only the remaining 4% are diseases of other internal organs.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PAIN IN DISEASES OF THE SPINE AND BACK MUSCLES

The pain can be nagging or sharp, “shooting”, when it is impossible to even straighten your back. With problems with the spine, pain is often localized in the middle of the lower back. It can radiate to the lower extremities.

Pain with osteochondrosis and radiculitis usually intensifies during movement. Mobility in the lumbar region is limited due to muscle spasm. Pain sensations decrease after rubbing warming and anti-inflammatory ointments or gels into the lower back. Also, back pain can be relieved by wearing a warming or special orthopedic belt.

SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASES

To understand what is hurting you, you need to know what symptoms of kidney disease may accompany lower back pain. The most common inflammatory kidney diseases are glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis. Also lower back pain may be a manifestation of urolithiasis, the main symptom of which is the so-called renal colic.

We need to remember what caused the pain in the lower back. If shortly before this you got wet feet or became hypothermic, this indicates kidney inflammation. If the onset of symptoms was preceded by heavy physical work, unusual stress on your back, or you simply slept in an uncomfortable position, then most likely your spine or lumbar muscles are bothering you. Glomerulonephritis can be suspected if, a couple of weeks before the onset of pain in the lumbar region, you had a sore throat, flu or other colds.

So how can you tell if your kidneys are hurting? To do this, you need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

  • deterioration of health: lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue, weakness;
  • increased blood pressure, and as a result, headache;
  • the appearance of edema on the face, legs, which are usually noticeable in the morning, and smooth out in the evening;
  • increased body temperature, chills, sweating;
  • nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
  • frequent or painful urination;
  • the intensity of pain does not depend on body position.

Urine may also change: it becomes rich in color or, on the contrary, colorless, contains blood, mucus or sediment. The listed symptoms speak in favor of kidney disease.

The location of the pain is very important. Many people do not know where the kidneys hurt and what the characteristics of the pain are. With kidney diseases, pain occurs more often on one side - to the left or right of the spine. It is localized just below the ribs and can radiate to the following areas:

  • on the side of the abdomen and groin;
  • along the ureter;
  • external genitalia;
  • on the inner thighs.

Characteristics of pain in kidney pathology

Renal colic is characterized by acute paroxysmal pain. Painful sensations from urolithiasis are associated with blockage of the urinary tract by a calculus and a violation of the outflow of urine. Increased peristalsis and spasm of the ureters occur, in addition, a stone with sharp edges injures and irritates the nerve endings in the wall of the urinary tract. These changes are the cause of pain.

Pain caused by kidney inflammation is of a different nature. Inflamed kidneys increase in volume, their tissue swells. As a result, the renal capsule, which contains many nerve endings, stretches. When the membrane is stretched, these endings are irritated, which leads to painful sensations. For pyelonephritis and glo Merulonephritis is characterized by dull aching sensations in the right or left lumbar region. With these diseases, the pain is not very pronounced, unlike urolithiasis and diseases of the spine.

Diagnostic tests

An experienced specialist knows which symptoms of kidney disease are most typical. To distinguish renal pathology from back pain, the doctor performs the following technique: he taps the lumbar region with the edge of his palm. In case of kidney disease, effleurage is accompanied by the appearance of a dull internal pain.

The most significant studies for differential diagnosis are the following:

  • X-ray of the lumbar spine (with osteochondrosis and radiculitis, there are characteristic changes in the spine - osteophytes, intervertebral hernias, etc.);
  • general blood test (with diseases of the spine there are usually no changes, with kidney disease – leukocytosis, anemia, increased ESR);
  • general urinalysis (increased or decreased relative density of urine, hematuria, leukocyturia, bacteriuria, increased salt content indicate kidney disease);
  • Ultrasound of the kidneys and abdominal cavity (increase in the volume of the kidneys, the presence of stones in them).

Important:

  • if you find that you have lower back pain, which is accompanied by these symptoms, then do not self-medicate and consult a doctor immediately;
  • If you have kidney inflammation, you should not heat your lower back, so Do not apply a heating pad or apply ointment until you consult a specialist.

Apr 20, 2017 Olga

The kidneys are the most important organ, which, like others, can work unproductively for various reasons. This leads to serious disturbances in the body: disruptions in the functioning of the genital organs, disorders of the digestive system, and disturbances in the water-salt balance. How to identify serious violations? What are the signs of kidney pain?

Where are the kidneys located?

According to statistics, most patients cannot explain what hurts and causes discomfort. To determine the disease, you need to know where the unique organ of the urinary system is located, working 24 hours a day. The kidneys are located on the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity, behind the peritoneum. Determining their location is simple: if you put your palms on the sides of your waist, put your thumbs up, their tips will be located above the organ.

As a rule, the right one is located below the left, but the boundaries may vary depending on the pressure of the liver and the structural features of the body. The organ works continuously: it pumps blood through itself several times a day, cleanses it of waste and toxins, promotes the formation of urine and excretion through the appropriate channels. In addition, it participates in metabolic processes and internal pressure. If their operation is disrupted, all of these systems begin to malfunction.

How kidneys hurt - symptoms

To begin treatment, it is important to understand which organ is bothering the person. If the urinary organ hurts, this does not always indicate pathology. Unpleasant sensations in the back are characteristic of attacks of appendicitis, biliary colic, and pyelonephritis. If a person has a disease of the urinary organ, we can distinguish general and local symptoms. The first include:

  • pale skin color;
  • puffy face in the morning;
  • high blood pressure;
  • fatigue, weakness;
  • chills;
  • periodic headaches.

If we talk about local symptoms of kidney pain, the most obvious is discomfort in the lumbar region. The pain intensifies with urination and certain movements, for example, if you stand on your toes and suddenly come back. Other local signs:

  • specific, bad smell urine;
  • smell of ammonia from the mouth;
  • small “pimples” on the skin;
  • increased urge to urinate, pain;
  • reddish tinge of urine.

Symptoms of kidney disease in women

If there is a problem with an organ, the first signs can be seen in blood and urine tests. Using them, a doctor can diagnose diseases such as renal failure, cystitis, pyelonephritis, polycystic disease, hydronephrosis, nephrolithiasis. The following symptoms of diseased kidneys in women are distinguished:

  • swelling of the face, which goes away in the evening;
  • swelling of the legs and arms;
  • elevated temperature;
  • changes in the volume, smell, color of urine excreted;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • headache;
  • nocturia;
  • bloating;
  • loss of appetite;
  • pain of different nature;
  • urine mixed with blood;
  • dry mouth;
  • pressure surges.


How do kidneys hurt in men?

In the stronger sex, the symptoms are not as pronounced as in women, so diseases often take an advanced form and take longer to treat with pills. If your kidneys hurt, a diagnostic examination will reveal diseases such as hydronephrosis and urolithiasis. In addition to them, pyelonephritis and nephroptosis are possible. How do kidneys hurt in men? The symptom is localized in the lumbar region and can be paroxysmal or permanent. Other possible signs:

  • high blood pressure;
  • swelling on the face, in the abdominal area;
  • dry mouth and constant thirst;
  • lethargic state;
  • anuria (complete cessation of urine flow into the bladder), polyuria;
  • excessive urination;
  • cloudiness of urine, appearance of blood;
  • increased body temperature;
  • hyperlipidemia;
  • chills.

Where do the kidneys hurt?

If discomfort occurs, all symptoms should be identified. Thanks to them, it is possible to independently identify the disease and, after a visit to the doctor, begin treatment to prevent the chronic form. It is important to understand where the kidneys hurt. For example, with pyelonephritis, discomfort is localized in the lumbar region and has an aching character. Find out more about the features of the localization of pain in various diseases.

Left kidney pain

There are many diseases in which this symptom can manifest itself, and all have similar symptoms. If you have pain in the left kidney, you should definitely go to the doctor. The sign may indicate the following diseases:

  1. Pyelonephritis. The identified disease manifests itself acutely. In addition to pain, the patient experiences fever, changes in taste, vomiting, nausea, chills, and swelling in the morning.
  2. Urolithiasis disease. Pain in a person can be tolerable and unbearable; it often appears after a sudden change in body position or physical effort. When urinating, there may be itching, pain, burning, and there may be blood.
  3. Cancer. Characterized by constant pain, which intensifies as the formation grows. heat, weight loss, weakness, bone aches, fever.


How does the right kidney hurt - symptoms

  • right-sided colic;
  • blood in urine;
  • feverish condition;
  • itchy skin;
  • pain when urinating;
  • change in color and composition of urine;
  • fatigue;
  • skin rash;
  • blurred vision;
  • smell of ammonia from the mouth.

Where does pain in the kidneys go?

Diseased kidneys are an important symptom that cannot be ignored. Pay attention to the location and nature of the sign. Perhaps the pain in the kidneys radiates to the lower back, back, groin, and genitals. You won’t be able to recognize the disease on your own, but listening to your feelings is necessary so that a specialist can correctly identify the disease. Even if it is clear where the pain is directed, the disease will be determined only after laboratory tests.


What are the pains associated with kidney disease?

The symptom is present in almost any disease of the urinary organ. The character can be different: acute, paroxysmal, aching, stabbing, pulling, and so on. Until a doctor examines a person, it is impossible to say exactly what its origin is - there are others next to the organ, for example, the spleen and ureters. Pain in kidney disease manifests itself in different ways. With pyelonephritis they are dull and aching, with thrombosis of the renal artery they are sharp and strong.

How to determine if your kidneys are hurting

In order not to confuse unpleasant sensations with back pain, you need to know about the characteristics of the symptom. What to do, how to check and determine if the kidneys are hurting? Recommendations:

  1. Think about what might have caused you to get sick. If you understand that you have been engaged in heavy physical labor, have been in an uncomfortable position for a long time, there is a high risk of diseases of the lumbar muscles and spine. If you are hypothermic, this indicates that the organ of the urinary system is not in order.
  2. The urinary organ is mainly disturbed at night, rarely during the day, and painful sensations in the musculoskeletal system occur periodically, more often after movement.
  3. Pain in the urinary organ is accompanied by specific symptoms: constant thirst, temperature, changes in urination, loss of appetite.

Video: how to understand that your kidneys hurt - symptoms

Kidney pain that occurs at night, in the morning or at other times of the day is localized in the lumbar region and is quite severe. Renal colic may occur when the pain becomes unbearable and a person requires pain medication. Such conditions indicate a pathological process occurring in the renal system and requiring timely treatment.

But the feeling of pain in the lower back can accompany other diseases and conditions of the body: rheumatism, intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, menstruation in a woman, contractions in a pregnant woman, etc. Therefore, let’s figure out how to understand that the kidneys hurt, and not the back muscles or other organs, What diseases cause kidney pain and what symptoms should you pay attention to first.

How to determine what exactly they are hurting?

The kidneys are located at the level of the upper lumbar vertebrae: where the lower ribs end. Behind them, the back muscles support the spine, so with certain diseases (scoliosis, osteochondrosis), the discomfort may resemble kidney pain. In front of them are the pancreas, stomach and intestines; With certain pathologies of these organs, pain can radiate to the lower back.

Next to the kidneys are the liver, gall bladder, and lungs, the pain from which, in certain pathologies, can be disguised as the soreness of the “filters” of our body. It is important to be able to distinguish “kidney” pain from other signals of the body:

  1. It occurs where the lower ribs attach to the spine (with right side, left or on both sides at the same time).
  2. It may radiate to the abdomen, genital area or thigh.
  3. To confirm this symptom, rise up onto your toes and immediately drop back onto your heels. If the sensations in the lower back intensify, it means that it is the kidneys that are hurting.

At a doctor’s appointment, pain in the kidneys is determined by Pasternatsky’s symptom: the edge of the palm is sharply, but not forcefully, hit in the lumbar region. If the pain becomes stronger, it is the kidneys that are affected. But such a test does not always work in the case of urolithiasis, when the stones are small.

Symptoms

When the kidneys hurt, it is important for a person to notice other symptoms that will help the doctor make a diagnosis. Pathologies of the renal system most often manifest themselves as follows:

  1. The pain occurs in the lower back, is characterized as very strong, sometimes aching, and can grow in waves. If it is pain in the kidneys, then after physical activity it will intensify.
  2. The appearance of renal colic, when pain occurs sharply on the right or left side.
  3. Frequent urination, while the volume of urine released is small.
  4. When emptying the bladder, a person may feel discomfort or pain, which is associated with partial or complete blockage of the ureter by stones.
  5. After urination, the pain may subside.
  6. Urine acquires an unpleasant putrid odor. Its color often changes to the dark side, the urine becomes cloudy, and sediment may form.
  7. Changes in tests: blood, renal epithelium and leukocytes are detected in the urine.

When your kidneys hurt, the symptoms can be very varied, so it is important to take a closer look at yourself to understand what exactly caused the kidney pathology. If, against the background of pain in the lumbar region, the following occur: pathological phenomena, then it is the renal system that requires treatment:

  • heat;
  • high blood pressure;
  • swelling of the limbs, eyelids (especially in the morning);
  • constant fatigue and loss of appetite;
  • the lower back is cold;
  • red rashes all over the body or the appearance of a whitish “powder” on the skin;
  • ammonia odor from the mouth;
  • blurred vision.

But even in the absence of any of the listed symptoms, it is worth going to an appointment with a nephrologist, who will assess your condition and find the cause of the disturbing pain. If the pain is accompanied by high fever, high blood pressure or difficulty urinating, emergency hospitalization and treatment of the patient is required.

Causes

Only a qualified doctor can determine why the kidneys hurt after a diagnosis, including ultrasound, Doppler sonography, urine and blood tests and other necessary studies. The reasons for this condition may be:

  • congenital malformations of the renal system;
  • pregnancy;
  • organ injuries (severe bruise, rupture);
  • acquired kidney diseases.

Let's take a closer look at the pathologies that can cause pain in the kidneys.

  1. Kidney stone disease. Characterized by the presence of stones in the renal pelvis. Manifested by renal colic, which intensifies with physical activity, sudden change in body position, shaking ride. Sometimes patients are helped by heat applied to the lumbar region. The organ may hurt so much that it is impossible to find a position for relief, and the person requires narcotic analgesics. The pain often occurs in the morning, but can occur at any time of the day.
  2. Glomerulonephritis. This is an autoimmune disease in which a person's immune cells begin to recognize kidney cells as foreign, attacking and leading to their death. This pathology often develops after a streptococcal disease (angina). In this case, the pain syndrome is observed in parallel with other symptoms: loss of appetite, increased blood pressure, blood in the urine, headache, swelling of the face and limbs (observed in the morning and disappears in the evening).
  3. Renal artery thrombosis. This condition is characterized by blockage of the renal blood flow by a blood clot that has broken off from any vessel in the body; may result from injury, inflammation or atherosclerosis. The pain in this case is acute, severe, localized in the lumbar region and can radiate to the entire back, sides and abdomen. There are other symptoms of this disease: increased blood pressure, body temperature, constipation, vomiting. If you do not start timely treatment, serious consequences can develop, including death.
  4. Renal tuberculosis. Pain in the lumbar region is described as cutting or stabbing. Changes in urine become visible to the naked eye: cloudy, mixed with pus or blood.
  5. Pyelonephritis. This is an inflammatory disease that requires mandatory antibacterial treatment. Along with the main symptom (pain in the kidney area), weakness, nausea, and high body temperature are observed. If the disease has become chronic, the patient is worried about poor appetite, hypertension, low urine output, and the lower back begins to freeze.
  6. Kidney prolapse. Pathology often occurs in people who are intensively losing weight, doing heavy physical work, or with an injury to the lumbar region. The pain is severe, sometimes aching, intensifies in the evening or during a shift. horizontal position to vertical.
  7. Benign kidney tumor (cyst). It is a cavity formation containing primary urine. Such a tumor will begin to cause discomfort when its size is large enough to put pressure on the organ capsule. If in this case the kidneys hurt, only a nephrologist can decide what to do after a thorough examination. Larger formations are easier to treat - they are pierced through the skin with a special needle and the accumulated fluid is sucked out; the pain goes away after that.
  8. . Pain in the kidney area will begin to bother a person only at a late stage of organ cancer, when the tumor has damaged its structure or has grown into the capsule. The course of this disease is accompanied by the following symptoms: anemia, hypertension, small amount of urine, stable weight loss, swelling in the limbs and face.

How to determine the disease by the nature of the pain?

It is worth mentioning that only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after additional diagnostic measures, but the patient himself can guess why his kidney hurts on the right or left side.

If pain is felt on the left side of the lower back, most likely the person has developed one of the following diseases:

  • kidney prolapse;
  • tumor (benign or malignant) of this organ;
  • pyelonephritis;
  • hydronephrosis;
  • kidney stone disease;
  • abscess.

Pain in the kidney area can be caused by inflammation of the pancreas: this pathology also manifests itself as discomfort in the lower back on the left.

If the kidney hurts on the right side, the reasons may be:

  • pyelonephritis;
  • organ cyst;
  • stones;
  • kidney cancer;
  • post-traumatic pain.

Please note that lower back pain on the right side can occur with appendicitis, osteochondrosis and cholecystitis.

If both kidneys are sick, then with a high degree of probability the patient will be diagnosed with glomerulonephritis. But if you experience discomfort in the lower back, you should not make a diagnosis yourself based on the location of the pain (on the right or left side). You should immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe adequate and effective treatment in your case.

If the pain appeared after drinking alcohol?

Many noted that their kidneys hurt after alcohol, especially after beer. After drinking such a drink, these organs need to filter the blood to remove all the toxins that entered the body with alcoholic drinks. The latter always cause dehydration, causing the blood to become thicker. The kidneys, already overloaded, must also cope with this problem, which is why nagging pain occurs in the lumbar region. This symptom most often appears in the morning after drinking alcohol the day before.

Considering the reasons why the kidneys hurt after drinking alcohol, one cannot fail to note the symptom accompanying this condition - the appearance of sediment in the urine. If alcohol consumption is regular, magnesium, calcium and phosphates begin to be washed out of the body, which are then deposited and form kidney stones. In this case, long-term treatment will be required.

When considering why the kidneys hurt, it is worth understanding the need for a qualified assessment of the condition by a nephrologist, who, after receiving the research results, can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Self-therapy folk remedies in this case, it may not only not help, but also cause harm to health.


Pain that affects the hypochondrium in the area where the kidneys are located may indicate various diseases. Discomfort never occurs on its own - it is a reflection of a pathological process in the human body. IN in this case It is very important to understand the causes of pain and distinguish kidney problems from back problems.

Causes of pain

Back pain in the kidney area for various reasons. All factors are conventionally divided into two categories:

  1. Primary – caused by the appearance of problems in the functioning of the spine.
  2. Secondary – associated with diseases of internal organs.

The primary factors usually include the following disorders:

  • neurological symptoms of osteochondrosis;
  • protrusion;
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • spondyloarthrosis of the vertebral joints;
  • vertebral fractures;
  • rachiocampsis.

Secondary factors that cause back pain in the kidney area include the following:

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Nature of pain

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is imperative to determine the nature of the pain syndrome. Thus, discomfort can be acute or chronic.
Acute pain occurs in the following cases:

  1. Acute sprain of the spine. In this case, pain is felt on both sides, but it does not radiate to other areas. In this case, there is a restriction of mobility.
  2. Fracture of the lumbar vertebrae. Immediately after the injury, intense pain occurs. At the same time, the back hurts when moving. The discomfort gradually decreases, increasing only in a sitting position.
  3. Displacement of intervertebral discs. In this case, unilateral back pain appears in the kidney area. A person has to take a forced position, bending in the left or right direction. In such a situation, pinching may be observed in some areas of the spinal cord, sensitivity is impaired, knee and Achilles reflexes are reduced, and problems with pelvic functions arise.
  4. Arthrosis of intervertebral joints. In this case, facet pain appears, which is localized on one side of the back. In the same zone, sensitivity is impaired and a decrease in reflexes is observed.

Chronic pain syndrome appears in the following situations:

  1. . In this case, the person complains of intermittent claudication syndrome. There is also aching pain in the lumbar region, and the sensitivity of the limbs decreases. Discomfort increases many times when walking.
  2. Ankylosing spondylitis. In most cases, this problem occurs in young people. Pain in the lumbar region radiates to the hips, a person experiences stiffness in the morning, limited physical activity, the spine is bent. In addition, the volume of respiratory movements often decreases, and back pain appears during inhalation.
  3. Tumor formations.
  4. Osteomyelitis.
  5. Multiple myeloma.

Pathologies of internal organs

Pain in the kidney area can be of a different nature - it appears during movement or at rest, radiates to the liver, is felt in front or under the ribs, etc. Also, with such disorders, girdle pain may be observed.
Depending on the nature of the pain syndrome, the doctor may make the following diagnoses:



Quite often the reason lies precisely in kidney disease. The most common pathologies of this organ include pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis. In addition, kidney stones can cause lower back pain.
To identify kidney disease, you should pay attention to the following symptoms:

  • general deterioration of health – weakness, drowsiness, increased fatigue;
  • increased blood pressure and headaches;
  • the appearance of swelling on the legs and face - usually swelling is most noticeable in the morning, while in the evening it smooths out;
  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
  • increased temperature, increased sweating, chills;
  • increased frequency of urination - may be accompanied by pain;
  • high pain intensity, which does not depend on body position.

In addition, changes in the nature of urine are observed. It can acquire a rich color or, conversely, become colorless. The composition often contains bloody or mucous impurities, as well as sediment.
The localization of the pain syndrome is of no small importance. If there are problems with the kidneys, discomfort is usually felt on one side - the left or the right. Kidney pain is localized under the ribs and can radiate to the following areas:

  • lateral side of the abdomen and groin area;
  • external genitalia;
  • ureter;
  • inner thigh.

Diagnostic tests

To distinguish kidney disease from back damage, the doctor uses this technique: he taps the lower back with the edge of his palm. If a person's kidneys are damaged, they experience a dull pain inside.

The following diagnostic tests allow you to make an accurate diagnosis:

  1. X-ray of the lumbar region. If a patient has radiculitis or osteochondrosis, characteristic changes can be seen - hernias, osteophytes, etc.
  2. General blood analysis. In diseases of the spine, as a rule, there are no changes, while kidney pathologies are accompanied by an increase in ESR, anemia, and leukocytosis.
  3. General urine analysis. With an increase or decrease in the density of urine, an increase in the level of salts, hematuria, bacteriuria or leukocyturia, we can talk about kidney pathologies.
  4. Ultrasound of the kidneys and abdominal cavity. When the kidneys are damaged, their volume increases and the content of stones increases.

Treatment methods

If the cause of pain lies in kidney disease, special attention should be paid to a healthy diet. To do this you need to give up large quantity salt and minimize the amount of liquid. You also need to limit your consumption of foods that contain a lot of phosphorus and potassium.
Medicines should be selected by a doctor. If the cause of the pain syndrome lies in inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. If stones are identified, the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. Kidney treatment is also carried out using anabolic steroids - retabolil, nerobol.
If the pain syndrome is caused by problems of the spine, treatment is based on the use of ointments. The doctor may prescribe the following medications:

  • anti-inflammatory analgesics – nurofen, diclofenac;
  • combination agents;
  • drugs with irritant effects;
  • chondroprotectors.


Also effective methods Treatment of such disorders is warming up, massage, physiotherapeutic procedures. In case of severe pain, injections are prescribed, with the help of which the medicinal substance is injected directly into the affected area.
Pain in the kidney area may indicate various disorders. To select the most effective therapy, an accurate diagnosis should be made. Therefore, any discomfort in the lower back should be a reason to visit a doctor.