Do you know that kidney pain is similar to the pain you feel when you have back pain and it is easy to mistake kidney pain for ordinary back pain? This article looks at kidney pain, its causes, how it differs from ordinary back pain, its symptoms and foods that should not be consumed in excess to prevent it or reduce its severity in people with the condition....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs sited at each side of the body just below the rib cage on both sides of the spinal cord. They are usually behind the abdomen and perform important roles which include removal of waste, excess fluid and acids from the body, and filtration of blood to produce urine. TAP HERE TO READ ORIGINAL ARTICLES
A diseased or defective kidney is equivalent to a diseased body that is unable to function optimally due to a toxic buildup of waste products in the body. Kidney pain is one of the conditions that often affect the kidney and it refers to the dull ache often felt where both kidneys are located, with the pain felt at the back, sides and stomach.
While pains in those sides may not be indicative of kidney pain, they should not be discarded especially when you feel the symptoms described below:
1. A dull ache at the back that is always constant.
2. A feeling of pain in the side, usually on only one side of the body.
3. Sharp and intense pain that may occur in waves.
4. Pain under the rib cage or in the stomach.
5. Sharp pain that can spread to the groin area or stomach.
6. Kidney pain may also be accompanied by symptoms such as fever, vomiting, cloudy urine, pain during urination, and blood in the urine.
The major difference between ordinary back pain and kidney pain is the location of its occurrence on the body. Ordinary back pain is often restricted to the lower part of the pain, while kidney pain is often felt at the deeper and higher part of the body than back pain. Also, unlike back pain, kidney pain is usually felt on one or both sides and usually under the rib cage.
Another major difference is that while ordinary back pain often goes, with the symptoms easing up when you change or adjust your position, kidney pain is often unyielding and constant. Having now known the major differences between ordinary back pain and kidney pain, let’s look at the major causes of kidney pain below:
1. Kidney stones – kidney pain can arise as a result of kidney stones which occurs when hard mineral deposits block the ureter, thus, causing pain in the sides or back.
2. Pyelonephritis – also known as kidney infection and it could lead to pain in the back, side or in the areas surrounding the rib cage and groin.
3. Kidney swelling – this happens when the kidneys are blocked, thus preventing the kidneys from draining urine the way they should and causing pain.
4. Kidney cysts – when kidney cysts grow large to some extent, they could start giving off symptoms which include a dull pain in the side or back, or pain in the upper part of the belly.
Other causes of kidney pains include kidney cancer, kidney injury, renal vein thrombosis and benign kidney tumours. Food and lifestyle factors can also markedly contribute to kidney pain, hence such factors should be watched. More specifically, some foods can contribute to kidney issues and should not be consumed in excess. A few of them are examined below:
1. Processed foods
Processed foods are high in sodium and phosphorus, two nutrients that can contribute to or make kidney problems worse, thus, processed foods such as cereals, sausage, cakes and biscuits should be eaten in moderation.
2. Sugary foods and drinks
High sugar intake often contributes to obesity, a risk factor for high blood pressure and diabetes, two of the leading causes of kidney-related health issues. Watch foods such as breakfast cereals, white bread, cake and candies.
3. Excessive alcohol intake
Regular heavy drinking of alcohol can also significantly contribute to kidney problems including kidney pain, which implies that you should cut down on your alcohol consumption if you are a heavy drinker.
4. Adding too much salt to your foods
Abusing the salt shaker can also cause you problems as salt are high im sodium, which is linked to high blood pressure which, in turn, can harm the kidneys. Thus, you should avoid adding too much salt to your foods.
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