When asked about why the kidneys hurt, only a qualified nephrologist can give an answer after examining and examining the patient’s tests.
If a person is disturbed by discomfort in this area, then you should not delay with a trip to the doctor. The urinary system is serious. However, everyone needs to know the reasons because of which the kidneys can hurt, and the possible consequences from this. Actually, this will be discussed now.
Specificity of pain
Before you talk about why the kidneys hurt, you need to tell about exactly what sensations arise in this case. Because often people make erroneous assumptions.
Typically, kidney problems are piercing, sharp pain in the transverse region of the back. But the nature of the sensations depends on the disease, about which the person, apparently, does not yet know. Here are the most common cases:
- Glomerulonephritis. Aching pain that does not go away even at night. So strong that it interferes with sleep.
- Pyelonephritis. Dull, pulling, not passing pain, which can be characterized by the phrase "discomfort".
- Polycystic The pain is constant, begins with mild discomfort, but increases every day.
- Renal failure. It is characterized by throbbing pain.
If you notice even the slightest discomfort, you need to go to the nephrologist, since the very next day the sensations can become several times more intense.
Nagging pain
It occurs with inflammation and always worries a person. In addition to pyelonephritis, the cause of its appearance may be the following diseases:
- Hydronephrosis. It is characterized by stagnation of urine and a violation of its outflow. Also accompanied by pain in the lumbar region.
- Nephroptosis This is called pathological kidney mobility. The organ simply shifts beyond the anatomical limits.
- Cyst. It manifests itself in the formation of a rounded sac with transparent serous contents. The disease is difficult to determine, since a person observes a pulling pain only during an exacerbation, but not at an early stage.
- Congenital malformation The cause of drawing pain in this case is the pressure exerted by an improperly located kidney on the vessels.
- Benign tumors. It is important not to ignore the pulling kidney pain, as it may indicate an increase in fibroma or adenoma. When they finish forming, sensations pass.
In addition to the above, kidney pain can be a consequence of tuberculosis or injury.
Pressing and aching pain
Sensations of this nature almost always indicate inflammation of the tissues of the paired organ, the presence of a sexually transmitted disease or tuberculosis. It is worth knowing to every person who has a question about why the kidneys hurt. Moreover, as a rule, sensations appear when walking, in the cold or when in an uncomfortable position.
Still pressing pain may indicate the presence of a tumor. But then it not only intensifies every day, but also gives in the groin. Sometimes metastases affect the spleen, pancreas and lungs - as a result, pains are localized under the ribs and in the upper chest.
Sharp pain
It usually indicates the presence of a urolithiasis in a person (urolithiasis). It is widespread and manifests itself not only with unpleasant sensations in the lumbar region, but also with the formation of stones in the urinary system. And, since it is about why the kidneys hurt, the symptoms of this disease should also be listed:
- Sore and burning when urinating. They arise due to the fact that during this process small stones, called sand, spontaneously leave the body with urine.
- Lumbar pain that occurs after heavy drinking or with a sharp change in position.
- Fever. Indicates inflammation and the presence of infectious complications.
- Colic. It is characterized by sharp pains in the lumbar region, which also extend to the ureter, stomach and legs.
- Clouded urine and the appearance of bloody impurities in it.
Unfortunately, this disease is fraught with consequences. In approximately 70% of patients, it is complicated by emerging infections. By the way, people suffering from pyelonephritis have a much higher risk of developing urolithiasis than others.
Left kidney
It often happens that discomfort does not occur in the whole paired organ, but only in one part of it. Therefore, it is important to talk about why the left kidney hurts.
In principle, the reason may be one of the above. But often pain is associated with pathologies that develop in other organs. In such cases, as a rule, the left kidney hurts for the following reasons:
- Inflammation in the pancreas.
- Duodenal ulcer or stomach.
- Inflammation of the pelvic organs.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Cholelithiasis.
Also, these sensations are often associated with osteochondrosis or radiculitis.
Right kidney
Unpleasant sensations in another area of the paired organ may indicate the presence of a disease involving the liver. Because it is located directly above the right kidney and puts pressure on it.
Often the pain gives in the leg. This may indicate the presence of such problems:
- Chronic disease resulting from infection.
- Displacement of the kidney. This is usually a consequence of pyelonephritis.
- Hydronephrosis.
- Thromboembolism.
- Cystic formations.
- Stones in the kidneys.
In general, the answer to the question of why the right kidney hurts does not differ much from the general one. In any case, the unpleasant sensations in any part of the paired organ do not indicate anything good. So you need to go to the diagnosis for the exact answer and treatment recommendations.
Among women
All of the above applies to representatives of both the strong and the weak parts of humanity. But still, many are wondering why the kidneys in women hurt? Well, there are specific reasons.
One of these is nephropathy of pregnant women. It is characterized by pressing pain, giving not only to the renal region, but also to the lower abdomen. Side effects are also:
- Severe swelling, especially noticeable on the face.
- High blood pressure.
- Vision problems.
- Painful headaches.
This pathology develops due to the growing uterus, which presses on the ureter. For this reason, urine stagnates and eventually becomes the reason for kidney disease.
In men
All of the above (with the exception of nephropathy) may be related to representatives of a strong part of humanity. These can be said to be “universal” reasons. Why a man’s kidneys hurt, only a doctor can say. But there is one caveat that is important to note.
Men are much more difficult to cure urolithiasis than women. This is due to the pain caused by stones leaving the urethra. For the same reason, complications arise during treatment.
Yes, and the disease itself, it should be noted, in men proceeds with more pronounced symptoms. And in the elderly, against the background of affected kidneys, prostatitis also often develops.
Signs of Unhealthy Kidneys
They must be considered separately, since enough has already been said about the reasons. Why the kidneys hurt is clear, but it is important to note that there are cases when there are either no uncomfortable sensations or they are very weak. As a result, a person simply does not realize that he has problems. What signs can point to them besides pain? They can be distinguished in the following list:
- Hematuria (blood in the urine). Sometimes urine turns slightly pink due to the use of pomegranate or beetroot. But this is completely different. Bloody impurities are clearly visible.
- Heat.
- Puffiness and puffiness. Manifestations are noticeable even at the site of the gum from cowards or socks on the body.
- Dark or cloudy urine.
- High blood pressure.
- Decreased appetite and a sharp causeless weight loss.
- Oliguria. Lean urination.
- Anuria Lack of urination or urine in an amount of less than 50 milliliters per day.
- Pollakiuria. Profuse urination. Some can reach up to 10 liters per day.
Also a serious symptom is involuntary or painful urination.
Effects
Well, enough has been said about why kidneys hurt. Finally, we can say about the consequences that will have to be faced if you do not contact a nephrologist. Most often they become:
- Chronic renal failure.
- Violation of the normal functioning of both the urinary system and the kidneys. The result is an accumulation of toxins. Poisoning of the body may even occur, the cause of which will be the products of its own vital activity.
- Kidney failure.
- Ureteric deformity.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Spontaneous or premature termination of pregnancy.
- Discontinuation of urine into the bladder. This is the worst of the consequences. The body simply ceases to be cleansed of natural decay products and other substances of a toxic nature. Only emergency hospitalization can save a person.
What conclusion can be made? No need to think about why the kidneys hurt in the mornings or evenings, what this may be connected with, or self-medicate. Only professional diagnostics can help. The hospital will establish the exact cause of the onset of pain and prescribe treatment aimed not only at stopping the painful symptoms, but also at the complete healing of the body.