Kidney Pain: Causes, Treatment & Help

Kidney pain is a clear sign that immediate medical attention is needed. This is because kidneys are important organs and when they hurt, treatment must be given after the causes of kidney pain have been clarified.

What is kidney pain?

Kidney pain is not always accurate to locate, because the kidneys are on the back in the flank area, and kidney pain can also be confused with back pain. Kidney pain is not always accurate to locate, because the kidneys are on the back in the flank area and the kidney pain can also be confused with back pain. Back pain can affect the tissues, so it is not clear where the pain is coming from. Nevertheless, kidney pain should be taken very seriously, as it can hide serious diseases. It may be, among other things, inflammation of the renal pelvis. Kidney pain may also indicate other diseases of the kidneys or it may be caused by kidney stones. A simple bladder infection can also cause such pain. It could also be kidney cancer. Kidney pain is therefore a clear call to see a doctor. Because only the doctor can clarify whether it is a completely harmless disease or a serious and serious disease.

Causes

Kidney pain always indicates an ailment. This may be mild and subsequently easy to treat. However, it can also cause severe complications and severely impair important kidney functions. Kidneys are necessary for intercellular fluid balance. Kidney pain can have two basic manifestations. First, it can be dull and persistent and is then known as chronic kidney pain. However, kidney pain can also be colicky with severe pain. If it is colicky kidney pain, kidney stones or ureteral stones may be the cause. Spasms or congestion of the urine can also cause colicky kidney pain. If the kidney pain is persistent, the renal corpuscles may be inflamed or there may be inflammation in the renal pelvis. If pus accumulates, the cause of kidney pain is an abscess. Other causes of kidney pain can be tumors and injuries to the organ, kidney tuberculosis or malformations of the kidneys can also be present as a cause of kidney pain.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Renal pelvic inflammation
  • Ureteral stone
  • Spasticity
  • Renal colic
  • Kidney stones
  • Kidney cancer
  • Cystic kidneys
  • Kidney congestion
  • Cystitis
  • Urinary retention
  • Renal insufficiency
  • Chronic renal failure

Course

In the course of the disease of kidney pain, mixed forms are possible. Thus, in the case of chronic kidney pain, colic may also occur in the meantime. If it is simply a bladder infection, for example, it can be treated quickly and easily with medication. If it is not treated, the bacteria can spread and lead to worse conditions. Finally, when kidney function is affected, it affects the entire body system. Kidney pain associated with painful urination must also be treated promptly with antibiotics to prevent the disease from worsening. Kidney pain caused by urinary or renal stones must also be treated immediately. Kidney pain is an alarm signal from the body. They should not be underestimated in their importance and should be treated by a doctor.

Complications

Kidney pain can lead to inadequate fluid intake. In severe ones, dehydration is imminent. This is a life-threatening condition that must be treated immediately by a physician to minimize the risk of irreparable damage. If kidney pain is not properly treated, other conditions are imminent. Kidney pelvic inflammation may occur. If left untreated, this leads to kidney failure. One or both kidneys are no longer fully functional, threatening a life-threatening condition. The kidney pain is noticeable for the affected person with every step and thus leads to an impairment of life. When medication is administered, many patients experience side effects. These include vomiting or diarrhea.The kidney pain leads to further complications with and without treatment. They include fever, convulsions or chills. Dizziness or confusion may occur. Some people experience impaired consciousness or loss of consciousness. Heart activity is decreased, resulting in attention deficits or listlessness. Kidney pain may cause symptoms such as blood in the urine. Urine is produced in smaller amounts, causing water retention throughout the body. The fear of ultimately having to rely on a donor organ or dying is omnipresent for those affected. It leads to disruptions in social life and psychological distress.

When should you go to the doctor?

In case of kidney pain, a doctor should always be consulted to clarify the causes and avoid further complications. A visit to the doctor is urgent if there is concomitant discomfort during urination or changes in the color of the urine. Blood in the urine indicates kidney stones, which must be examined immediately by a doctor. Otherwise, renal colic may develop, which is associated with severe secondary symptoms. If the urine is cloudy in color, there may be inflammation, which can be diagnosed by a urine sample taken by a family doctor. Kidney pain during menstruation, on the other hand, does not necessarily require medical treatment. Often, the complaints are also caused by poor drinking habits or a monotonous posture. Rarely, pain in the kidneys is also caused by pregnancy. In these cases, it is sufficient to drink plenty of fluids and take it easy on the body. If similar problems occur repeatedly, however, the family doctor or gynecologist should be consulted. An emergency physician should be alerted if there is unnatural accumulation of water in the limbs or if there are sudden severe symptoms of fever.

Treatment and therapy

Treatment of kidney pain is easily solved with various medications for mild conditions. Heat and natural remedies also help. If the kidney pain lasts longer than three months, pain therapy becomes necessary. In most cases, various therapeutic measures must then be applied. Hospitalization is also possible if the kidney pain cannot be relieved in any other way. There are special pain centers for this purpose. Medicinal treatments of kidney pain with spasmolytics and infusions are used. Local anesthesia or treatment through a catheter is also possible. Acupuncture can also be used for kidney pain. High tone therapy procedures and magnetic field therapy are also used, as well as TENS therapy. In parallel, psychological training is offered to help patients cope with pain. Therapies with certain diets can also help with kidney pain.

Outlook and prognosis

Kidney pain can be treated relatively well, but without treatment it leads to quite severe pain and decreased fluid intake. This can result in dehydration, which is very unhealthy for the body. In this case, treatment by a doctor is inevitable. Similarly, kidney pain also leads to symptoms that usually occur with the flu or with a cold. These include chills, diarrhea, vomiting and a general feeling of weakness. Urine may also be colored if there is blood in the urine. Kidney pain usually causes the patient to experience stress and disruptions in daily life. Surgery is necessary for acute pain that indicates kidney failure. Since a person has two kidneys, one kidney can be removed or replaced with a donor kidney. In this case, complications usually do not occur. Often, treatment with medications is performed to resolve the inflammation. If the kidney pain occurs due to unhealthy food or excessive consumption of alcohol or other drugs, withdrawal or diet must be performed. However, in severe cases, the kidney may already be irreparably damaged.

Prevention

Since the kidneys are sensitive to cold, keeping warm is important as a preventive measure against kidney pain. Also important is an adequate and regular intake of water. The entire body system as well as the organs stay healthy best when a healthy lifestyle is maintained with adequate exercise and healthy food. Bladder infections and bacteria in the urine can also be avoided through hygiene measures.Kidney pain is the symptoms of an imbalance in the body, which does not have to result in kidney pain if you have a strong immune system and a healthy lifestyle.

Here’s what you can do yourself

Kidney pain is often a symptom of a serious illness and should therefore always be clarified by a doctor. Accompanying this, various home remedies can alleviate the discomfort. First, it is important to keep the kidney area warm with a grain pillow or a compress. Warm, moist applications with essential oils are also suitable and promote blood circulation to the kidney. Lemon juice is also a popular remedy that provides relief from pain caused by kidney stones. For other kidney problems, anti-inflammatory and diuretic home remedies such as parsley or dandelion can help. Celery is also a natural diuretic that is especially effective for infection-related pain. Pain in the lumbar region can be relieved with a mustard plaster. Nettles and sage also help with kidney stones and urinary tract infections. In addition, medical treatment can be supported by teas. Teein has a diuretic effect and flushes the bacteria out of the kidneys, which usually reduces the pain quickly. Juniper berry and birch leaf teas in particular have proven effective. Goldenrod tea is also a popular remedy for kidney pain due to its antispasmodic and diuretic effect. If the symptoms persist despite everything, a quick visit to the doctor is recommended.