One of the universal health complaints throughout the world is back pain. Poor posture, muscle strain and spine issues can cause it, too, but sometimes the culprit is something more subtle: A kidney stone. Yes, that searing pain in your lower back just below the belt could be the result of a strain, but it also might be your kidneys’ way of telling you they’re in deep doo-doo. It might be your body’s way of telling you that you have a stone in your urinary tract.
But how can you tell if your back pain is a reference to your kidneys or is it from something else? Let’s break it down.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits, typically composed of mineral and acid salts, that form in your kidneys. They can be small — as tiny as a grain of sand, or large — similar in size to a golf ball. Though small pieces may go through with the urine, bigger stones could block the urinary tract and cause severe pain and other problems.
Kidney stone pain occurs when the stone blocks the flow of urine from the kidney into the ureter. This over time builds up pressure in the kidney leading to severe (or dull in some cases) pain, commonly described as stabbing.
Where Does Kidney Stone Pain Hurt?
Kidney stones are known for causing sudden, severe pain. Typically, this pain:
- Begins in the side or lower back, just below the ribs
- May spread to the abdomen and groin
- May come and go, varying in intensity
- May change the position of the stone when it is passing through the urinary system
This pain is known as renal colic, and it is frequently cited as one of the most severe types of pain a human can encounter.
How to Tell If Back Pain Is From Kidney Stones
Back pain resulting from kidney stones is quite acute and can be interspersed with stabbing pain if associated infection is present — symptoms that are often mistaken for an ordinary backache, however there are a few giveaway differences:
1. Location of the Pain
Kidney stone pain generally starts in the back, on one side, just below the ribs.
The pain may spread to the lower abdomen, groin or inner thigh as the stone passes through the urinary tract.
Chronic back pain due to muscle overuse or injury, or to spinal problems, usually remains in the lower or upper back and it may get worse with physical activity or movement.
2. Type of Pain
The pain from a kidney stone is usually sharp, stabbing and/or cramping. It may hit in waves (called renal colic), as the stone moves as well.
Back pain in muscles is commonly described as a dull, aching or sensation of tightness.
3. Associated Symptoms
While regular back pain is a sign of back pain, kidney pain (one or both sides) can be a clue that you have kidney stones because it comes along with:
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Blood in urine (in pink, red, or brown urine)
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever and chills (if an infection is also present)
If your symptoms include severe back pain and you have a fever, you can be pretty sure that kidney stones are the source.
Causes of Kidney Stones
There are a number of contributing factors to the development of kidney stones:
- Dehydration: Lack of adequate water consumption will cause urine to be concentrated, increasing the likelihood of developing stones.
- Diet: A diet high in salt, oxalates (as found in spinach and nuts), or too much animal protein.
- Family History: The genes might also be involved.
- Obesity: People who are overweight are more at risk of developing kidney stones.
- Some Medical Conditions: There is gout, hyperparathyroidism or frequent urinary tract infections for example.
- Drugs: Certain drugs, such as calcium-containing antacids or specific diuretics can be a cause.
Types of Kidney Stones
Understanding the nature of the kidney stone is thus key to selecting the most appropriate therapy and preventive measures:
- Calcium Stones: The most common kind, frequently made up of calcium oxalate.
- Uric Acid Stones: More frequent in individuals who eat a lot of red meat or have gout.
- Struvite Stones: Commonly associated with a UTI.
- Cystine Stones: They are uncommonly seen and are often associated with a genetic condition.
Diagnosis of Pain Due to Kidney Stones
If you think that your back pain may be related to kidney stones, you should be evaluated by a urologist. Diagnostic tests may include:
- Ultrasound or CT Scan: Offers a detailed image of the kidneys and urinary system.
- Urine Test: Look for infection, blood or stone-forming crystals.
- Blood Tests: For checking kidney function and mineral levels.
- X-rays ( KUB ): Useful in locating certain types of stones.
Kidney stone Treatment
Treatment is determined by the size, type and site of the stone:
Small Stones (Up to 2mm):
- Increased fluid intake
- Medications used to control pain
- Medications, such as alpha-blockers, to relax the ureter and aid stone passage
Larger Stone or Complex cases:
- RIRS: Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery. It is a kidney stone treatment method that reaches the kidney using the urethra, bladder, and ureter, without any external incision.
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL): Crushes stones into small fragments like grains of sand with sound waves.
- Ureteroscopy (URS): Passing a slender scope through the urethra to remove or fragment the stone.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): This procedure is carried out for very large stones, which need to be broken into smaller pieces to remove through a small incision in the back of the body and access the kidney.
Preventing Kidney Stones
If you have had kidney stones once, you are at greater risk of having them a second time. Here’s what you can do to minimize those risks:
- Hydrate: Consume a minimum of 2.5 -3 liters water each day.
- Diet: Restrict salt, lower foods high in oxalate, and keep animal protein intake at moderate levels.
- Exercise Daily: It is assistance in sustaining a healthy body weight.
- Medical Follow-up Fact: Routine check-ups if you’ve had stones.
When to See a Specialist?
- Persistent or worsening back pain that doesn’t ease with rest and over-the-counter painkillers
- Blood in urine
- Painful or difficult urination
- Nausea and Vomitus Nausea and vomiting always present
- Fever with chills (sign of infection is possible)
When ignored, these symptoms can cause severe damage to the kidneys or infections. A stitch in time can save you a lot of trouble.
Specialised in Kidney Stones Treatment in Gurgaon
If you are somewhere in Gurgaon and you have been dealing with persistent back pain or you suspect you have kidney stones, the time to get an expert is now.
Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is an expert urologist and the Best kidney stone doctor in Gurgaon who provides cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment for all kinds of kidney stone conditions at CureStone.
Through patient-centered care and individualized treatment, Dr. Deepanshu Gupta works diligently to get you the right treatment, at the right time. Be it small stones or more advanced procedures for larger ones, you are in safe hands.
Don’t overlook chronic back pain — receive experienced and accessible advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Deepanshu Gupta today and come closer to healthier kidneys.