Buzz
The kidneys are located in the lower abdomen, close to the back muscles. If you experience pain in your lower back between the ribs and the hips, or even along the sides down to the pelvic region, you may be suffering from kidney pain. It is essential to consult a doctor if you experience kidney pain, as it may be a symptom of some serious health conditions. Kidney pain should be treated based on its underlying cause, and your doctor can provide the best recommendations for your treatment.
Steps
Relieving Kidney Pain
Drink plenty of water. This is the most important step in alleviating kidney pain. Drinking two to three liters of water daily is ideal for maintaining good health. However, you may need even more to flush out kidney stones. Water helps clear bacteria and dead cells from the kidneys. Stagnant urine is a major factor in the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
- Small kidney stones (<4mm) can also be naturally flushed out through urine if the flow is strong enough.
- Limit coffee, tea, and cola to just one or two cups a day.
Get plenty of rest. Sometimes, lying down can help alleviate pain. If your pain is caused by kidney stones or kidney damage, excessive movement or strenuous activity could lead to kidney bleeding.
- Lying on your side could make the pain worse.
Use heat to relieve pain. Applying a heating pad or a warm towel to the affected area can provide temporary pain relief. Heat increases blood circulation and reduces nerve sensitivity, helping to relieve pain. Heat is especially effective when the pain is due to muscle spasms.
- Be cautious with the heat to avoid burns. Use a warm blanket, a hot bath, or a towel soaked in warm water (but not boiling).
Take pain relievers. Some over-the-counter pain medications can help manage kidney pain. Acetaminophen/paracetamol is often recommended for pain caused by infections or kidney stones. Always consult with a doctor before using any pain medication, as some may worsen your condition or interact with other health issues.
- Avoid high doses of aspirin. Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding and worsen conditions like kidney stones.
- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) can be dangerous if you have reduced kidney function. Unless advised by a doctor, avoid taking ibuprofen or naproxen if you have kidney disease.
Consult a doctor about using antibiotics. Antibiotics should be used when there is a urinary tract infection. Kidney stones can cause urine to stagnate in the kidneys, promoting the growth of bacteria that may lead to infection. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
- Common antibiotics for this type of infection include Trimethoprim, Nitrofurantoin, Ciprofloxacin, and Cefalexin. For moderate to severe infections, men should take antibiotics for 10 days, while women should take them for three days.
- Always complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics, even if you start feeling better and no longer have symptoms.
Avoid excessive vitamin C intake. In general, vitamin C is beneficial to the human body, particularly for wound healing and bone formation. However, excessive vitamin C can be converted into oxalate in the kidneys, which may contribute to kidney stone formation. Therefore, avoid taking excessive vitamin C if you are prone to kidney stones or have a family history of them.
- Those prone to calcium oxalate stones should limit foods rich in oxalate, such as purple beets, chocolate, coffee, cola, beans, parsley, peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea, and wheat bran.
Drink cranberry juice regularly. Cranberry juice is a fantastic natural remedy for kidney health and urinary tract infections. About 8 hours after consumption, the juice begins to work by preventing bacterial buildup or growth. It also helps dissolve struvite and brushite kidney stones.
- Avoid cranberry juice if you have oxalate stones, as cranberry juice is high in vitamin C and thus contains significant oxalate levels.
Identifying the Causes of Kidney Pain
See a doctor if you suspect a kidney infection or inflammation. Kidney infections are typically caused by a urinary tract infection that spreads to the kidneys. If untreated, it can lead to permanent kidney damage. One or both kidneys may become infected, causing deep, dull pain in the lower abdomen, back, hips, or pelvic area. Seek medical care as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever, possibly with chills
- Frequent urination
- Intense, persistent urge to urinate
- Burning or painful urination
- Pus or blood in the urine (may appear red or brown)
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Go to the emergency room if these symptoms are accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Consult a doctor if you suspect kidney stones. Kidney stones are one of the leading causes of kidney pain. The pain begins when the kidney attempts to expel a stone but struggles to do so. This type of pain typically comes in waves.
- Kidney stones often present as severe, sudden pain in the lower back, hips, or lower abdomen.
- Other symptoms may include pain in the penis or testicles, difficulty urinating, or frequent, urgent urges to urinate.
Go to the emergency room if you suspect kidney bleeding. Bleeding may be caused by trauma, illness, or medication. Some forms of bleeding can lead to blood clots in the kidneys. When these block blood flow to other parts of the kidneys, pain begins. This type of pain also comes in waves but is often felt in the hip area. The hip is located between the upper abdomen and the back. Additional symptoms of kidney injury include:
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Blood in the urine
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Fever
- Decreased or painful urination
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Cold, clammy skin
Advice
- Keep your body well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water to flush out any bacteria in the kidneys is crucial.
- There is no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of natural remedies like dandelion, apple cider vinegar, rose hips, or asparagus for treating kidney stones. Continue to drink plenty of water and consult your doctor for other treatment options.
Warning
- If you experience kidney pain, consult your doctor immediately.
