Reasons Why You Can Have Kidney Pain

There is not just one answer to why you can have kidney pain. The first thing we need to emphasize is that it is not common to experience pain in these organs. This is precisely why this symptom should always be taken very seriously.

However, there are many myths surrounding kidney pain. A popular belief is that the discomfort is a consequence of not covering your back properly, which means that “the cold has penetrated the body” and causes pain. This, as well as other related beliefs, are incorrect.

In addition, people often find it difficult to pinpoint exactly what kind of area is bothering them. Sometimes people wonder why they have kidney pain, but in fact, the pain may originate from somewhere else in the body.

Reasons why you have kidney pain

The kidneys are important organs that play a fundamental role in the body. They are basically responsible for filtering the blood and keeping it clean and balanced from a chemical standpoint. They process approximately 190 liters of blood and eliminate 2 liters of waste per day.

The kidneys are located behind the lower rib, one on each side of the spine. When these organs hurt, the person experiences a sensation in the middle of the back or in the sides. Sometimes it’s just one side that hurts. However, not all back pain causes kidney pain.

Many kidney diseases go unnoticed until they are advanced. The reasons why one can have kidney pain can be due to everything from the presence of kidney stones to kidney cancer. The following causes are common reasons why one may have kidney pain.

Kidney stone

Kidney stones cause very intense kidney pain. It is the accumulation of substances in the urine that forms them. Sometimes they are small as grains of sand, but they can be as big as a pearl.

When the stones are very small, they move freely around the urethra and the body usually excretes them without causing any symptoms. But when the stones are larger, it causes intense pain that comes in waves. The person feels it in the back and stomach and it worsens as one moves.

The pain is usually located on one side, but as time goes on, the pain can move down to the groin and genital area. There is no position that relieves the discomfort that is often followed by nausea, vomiting, itching and a burning sensation when urinating.

Infection

One can also get kidney pain due to an infection. The infection usually starts in the urethra or bladder, after which it reaches the kidneys. It can cause permanent damage to these organs or spread to the bloodstream where it can be life threatening.

One of the symptoms is intense and persistent back pain as well as pain and a burning sensation when urinating. The person will feel that he or she is constantly going to the toilet and the urine will have a strong odor. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the person to also experience nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.

Polycystic kidney disease or cystic kidney disease causes kidney pain

Cystic kidneys may not cause symptoms until they reach a marked size. When this occurs, it causes intense back pain and / or pain in the lower backs. It is also common for the person to experience headaches and blood in the urine.

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disease that causes cysts to grow in groups and prevents the body from functioning properly. They cause pain in the sides or in the back and this often leads to kidney stones and frequent infections.

Other causes of kidney pain

One can also have kidney pain due to hydronephrosis, which is kidney inflammation that occurs due to an accumulation of urine. It causes intense pain in the back, blood in the urine as well as fever.

The pain can also be caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious problem that causes severe pain in the person’s back, behind the base of the ribs and in the hips.

Injuries and strokes can also cause pain in the kidneys, as can pregnancy. In the latter case, it is due to spinal cord changes due to the weight in the woman’s abdomen. Pain in one side of the back and abdomen accompanied by hematuria may be signs of kidney cancer.