Is It Back or Kidney Pain in Vacaville?

Having healthy kidneys can help remove waste from the body, make red blood cells, regular blood pressure, and perform other important jobs daily. These bean-shaped organs are located below the ribs, which are close to the middle of your back. This is the reason why kidney problems - infections, stones, chronic kidney diseases - can easily be mistaken for mid or upper-back pain in Vacaville.

People who have kidney disease can sometimes experience pain caused by the said condition. However, the kidney itself has no pain receptors so it comes with a bit of mystery for some people.

Back Pain or Kidney Stone in Vacaville?

If you are feeling kidney 'pain,' it usually comes from one of two places (or both): It is either due to the capsule surrounding the kidneys or the distension of the ureter.

The ureters - tubes attached to each kidney - carries the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. This urine that is being transported contains salts and minerals, and if the minerals clump together and block one of the ureters, you will develop an infamously painful kidney stone.

The ureter will start contracting because a stone is blocking its passage. When there is a blockage in the ureter, the urine may back up into the kidney then it will expand the capsule of the kidney and cause pain.

In most cases, the pain is located on just one side. The pain can be categorized as a dull ache and it will surely bother you. If you think this situation is familiar, then it is since sciatica, a pain caused by nerve compression, can also affect one side of the body, and cause chronic back pain.

Kidney stones can cause a faint pain unless the stone is trying to pass through. That is the time when it becomes severe and can last for minutes before it disappears. When the pain becomes too excruciating, it is time for you to go to the emergency room. It is important that you take care of it soon before it's too late.

How to tell the difference

There is no easy way of differentiating back pain and kidney pain, especially if there is a constant ache coming from the kidney stone that doesn't want to pass. Passing a kidney stone is a different story since it hurts so bad while kidney infections can come with associated symptoms.

It is no surprise that you require a doctor's help to get a proper diagnosis. You need to prepare for a physical exam, provide family and medical history, and undergo certain tests. The test can include urine analysis as well as X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.

There is no quick fix for getting rid of kidney stone pain since people who have experienced it in an excruciating way know it so well. The only solution is to get a proper prescription for pain medications and sometimes certain fluids can help pass the stone. There are antibiotics and home remedies available for kidney infections so make sure that you incorporate these two together for faster relief.

If you need more help on this topic, especially back pain, you can contact the clinic of Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine by dialing (707) 474-5688.