Kidney pain: what it can be and how to relieve

Kidney pain can indicate different health problems, such as changes in the function of the kidney itself, infections or spinal problems, which can cause different symptoms such as pain, changes in the color of the urine and burning when urinating.

Pain treatment is done according to the cause of the problem, which may include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, rest and massage.

Main causes of kidney pain

The following are the main causes of kidney pain and what to do to relieve and treat the problem.

1. Kidney stones

The presence of kidney stones causes the appearance of severe pain that can go to the belly or genital organ, pain when urinating and pink, reddish or brown urine, due to the presence of traces of blood.

How to treat: The treatment is done according to the type of stone formed, which may include the use of painkillers, changes in diet or laser treatment, which breaks the stones into smaller pieces, facilitating the elimination by urine. See more at: Kidney Stone Treatment.

2. Infection

Symptoms of kidney infection are severe pain in the back, pain and burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate and strong-smelling urine. In some cases, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting may also occur.

How to treat: You should drink plenty of water to help eliminate the microorganism that causes pain and use antibiotics, according to the guidance of your general practitioner or urologist.

3. Polycystic kidney or cyst

Symptoms of kidney cyst only appear when the cyst is already large and can cause pain, bloody urine, high blood pressure and frequent urinary infections.

How to treat: Treatment should be recommended by a nephrologist and can be done with the use of medication, when the cyst is small, or through surgery, which is done to remove the larger cysts.

4. Cancer

The pain caused by kidney cancer usually only appears in advanced stages of the disease, and is characterized by pain in the side of the belly and back, and blood in the urine.

How to treat: Treatment is done with an oncologist and depends on the stage of the tumor, which may include surgery, cryotherapy, radiofrequency and use of medications to relieve symptoms. Kidney tumors usually do not respond well to chemotherapy and radiation.

5. Hydronephrosis

It is the swelling of the kidney due to the accumulation of urine, causing pain in the back, urine with blood, fever and chills.

How to treat: You should go to the doctor to remove the accumulated urine and identify the cause of the problem, which can be kidney stones, severe urinary infection or the presence of a kidney tumor. See more at: Hidronephrosis.

6. Renal vein thrombosis or ischemia

That's when enough blood doesn't get to the kidney, causing cell death and pain. It is similar to what happens in stroke or when you have a heart attack.

How to treat: Only medical examinations can detect the problem, and treatment can be done using drugs or surgery, depending on the severity of the problem.

7. Injuries and blows

Injuries and blows to the back, especially at the waist, can cause inflammation and pain in the kidneys.

How to treat: Place a hot water bag on the back and rest, and you can also use analgesic remedies. If the pain persists, seek medical help.

Signs and symptoms of kidney problems

Tick ​​the symptoms you have and find out if you may have any type of renal impairment:

1. 1. Frequent desire to urinate Yes No
2. 2. Urinate in small amounts at a time Yes No
3. 3. Constant pain in the bottom of your back or flanks Yes No
4. 4. Swelling of the legs, feet, arms or face Yes No
5. 5. Itching all over the body Yes No
6. 6. Excessive tiredness for no apparent reason Yes No
7. 7. Changes in the color and smell of urine Yes No
8. 8. Presence of foam in the urine Yes No
9. 9. Difficulty sleeping or poor sleep quality Yes No
10. 10. Loss of appetite and metallic taste in the mouth Yes No
11. 11. Feeling of pressure in the belly when urinating Yes No

Kidney pain in pregnancy

Kidney pain in pregnancy is usually caused by changes in the spine, due to the effort that the pregnant woman makes with the weight of the belly. It is rarely related to kidney changes, but in cases where there is pain when urinating, you should consult your gynecologist to identify the cause of the problem and avoid complications.

To relieve it, you can place a hot water bottle in the painful area and lie back in a comfortable armchair, with your feet elevated. This position relieves back pain and deflates the feet. See more at: Kidney pain in pregnancy.

When to go to the doctor

It is recommended to seek medical help whenever the kidney pain is very severe, preventing normal routine activities, or when the pain becomes frequent. Although there are many causes of kidney pain, it can often also be related to spine problems, so physical therapy can also be a treatment option.

See also example of medicines and home remedies for kidney pain.