What is the difference between back pain and kidney pain? And what treatment is available for kidney pain in particular?
It’s easy to confuse kidney pain and back pain. Kidney pain is discomfort in the area where your kidneys are. It’s often described as a dull ache in your sides, back, or belly. But pain in these areas isn’t always a sign of a kidney issue. And it’s easy to mistake kidney pain for ordinary back pain. You can know the difference by how they feel and where they are located.
Signs that it’s your back
Back pain:
- Affects your lower back
- Shoots down one leg
- Is more likely to be stabbing than dull and constant
- Gets worse or flares up when you do certain activities, like lifting a box or bending over
- When you rest or lie down, or adjust your position, back pain may ease up.
- Might also be muscle aches
Signs that it’s your kidney
Kidney pain
- Higher on your back and deeper in your body.
- On one or both sides, usually under your rib cage.
- Constant and probably won’t go away when you shift your body.
- Sudden and unbearable
When to see your Doctor
Depending on the cause of the pain, you could have other symptoms too. If you have these signs, contact your doctor as you could have a serious kidney problem:
- Fever or chill
- Body aches
- Tiredness
- Blood in your urine
- Pain when you pee
- Change in your urine color
- A constant urge to pee
- Body aches
- Nausea or vomiting.
Also, if you recently had a urinary tract infection (UTI), see your doctor.
Kidney Pain Diagnosis
For kidney pain, you may start with a visit to your primary care doctor or a nephrologist—a doctor who diagnoses and treats kidney diseases. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you.
Kidney pain tests
A few tests can help your doctor find the cause of your kidney pain:
Blood test: This test checks for signs of infection or kidney stones. And how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood.
Urine tests. These tests check for infections, proteins, and other substances from kidney diseases in your urine.
Ultrasound: This imaging test uses sound waves to make pictures of your kidneys and other parts of your urinary tract.
Computed tomography: This scan takes detailed pictures of your kidneys from different angles.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a strong magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures of your kidneys.
Kidney Pain Treatment
Once your doctor diagnoses the cause of your kidney pain, he can decide on the best treatment plan for you. Treatment plans will vary depending on the cause.
Antibiotics
If an infection in your kidney is causing pain, your doctor will likely prescribe you an antibiotic.
Surgery/Medication
If your pain stems from kidney stones, your doctor may prescribe you medication to help you pass the stone. But if you have many kidney stones, or they’re too big to pass, your doctor may recommend surgery to break them down.
Home Treatment
You should always discuss your kidney pain symptoms with your doctor as soon as possible, but while you’re waiting for treatment, you can take the following steps to help ease kidney pain at home:
Use a heating pad on your back or abdomen.
Drink plenty of water. This may help flush bacteria from your urinary tract. Avoid alcohol or beverages with caffeine.
Ask your doctor before you take any pain relievers.
Bottom Line
Kidney pain has many possible causes, including an infection, an injury, or kidney stones. You’ll feel pain from a kidney problem in your back on the left or right side of your spine. Blood and urine tests, and sometimes imaging tests, can help your doctor find the source of the pain. Once your doctor knows the cause, they can find the right treatment for you.
Talk to your doctor about any pain that does not go away or comes with symptoms such as fever, blood in your pee, or pain when you pee.
