Pain in Kidney Area

Most of the diseases and ailments in human beings lack unique symptoms, pertaining to that disease alone. As a result, it becomes very difficult to decipher what your body is trying to convey through the myriad perplexing symptoms. Some of the symptoms are common to most of ailments and may stem from anything as frivolous as common cold to something as lethal as a cancer. Same happens in the case of pain in kidney area. More often than not, you are likely to mistake it for normal back pain and ignore it. Thus, it is important to know what distinguishes a pain due to kidney infection from normal back pain.

Back Pain or Kidney Pain

Back pain in kidney area due to kidney diseases is often severe and throbbing as opposed to a dull pain originating due to normal back pain. The pain resulting out of kidney diseases is termed as renal colic and it occurs in waves. The severe throbbing pain comes, stays for some time and then subsides on its own, whereas the normal back pain is persistent, plaguing you with a dull ache. Back pain, especially the lower back pain in kidney area mostly stems from an injury to the muscle, ligament, even vertebral discs located in that area.

Causes of Pain in Kidney Area

Kidney Stones
Kidney stones is a painful condition in which crystals of calcium oxalate or other minerals accumulate in urine to form hard stones. When these kidney stones move inside the urinary system, they cause excruciating pain. The pain is mostly induced due to the lodging of these stones in ureter, a thin tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder. Sometimes, the pain is so severe that it may cause nausea and vomiting. Kidney stones can be removed surgically or they can be dissolved to pass through urine.

Kidney Infections
Kidney infection or pyelonephritis refers to the inflammation of the kidney tissue. Kidney tissues are very sensitive and its inflammation stretches this tissue to cause a sharp aching pain. A slightest touch in the flank area can induce tremendous pain. Nausea, vomiting and fever are some other symptoms associated with kidney infections. Kidney infection is a serious condition and needs immediate medical intervention. It can be treated with intravenous antibiotics which prevent the spread of infection through blood stream.

Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer rarely generates pain that is similar to back pain in kidney area. The pain is only induced when the tumor becomes so large that it stretches the kidney tissues or involves nerves.

Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disease in which kidneys enlarge over the period of time. The enlargement of kidneys induce dull pain, mostly in the front and not in the back. It can be sometimes confused with abdominal pain.

Blocked Urine Flow
Urine flow may get obstructed due to several reasons. It may happen gradually, unlike in kidney stone, which leads to sudden blockage of urine. Blocked urine flow may lead to burning pain in kidney area.

Pain in kidney area is often very severe and can affect the quality of life of a person suffering from it. You are likely to mistake it for normal back pain, but if the pain surfaces without apparent reason and persists for too long, then it is better to get yourself checked by a doctor.