The kidneys are located in the upper abdomen area, close to the back muscles. If you experience back pain in the area between the ribs and buttocks or even in the hips up to the groin area, you may suffer from kidney pain. If you experience this type of discomfort, see your doctor promptly as it could be a sign of a serious condition. Treatments for kidney pain depend on what caused it, and your doctor will be able to give you the best advice for your specific situation.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Relieve Kidney Pain
Step 1. Drink lots of fluids
This is the single most important thing to soothe the discomfort. You should drink between 2 and 3 liters of water each day when you are healthy, but you should also drink more to help clear kidney stones. Water helps get rid of bacteria and dead tissue in the kidneys. The urine that remains in the organs is a perfect medium for bacterial proliferation. Drinking plenty of water allows for a continuous flow of fluids through the kidneys, which prevents bacteria from growing and developing.
- A small kidney stone (less than 4mm) may also spontaneously pass through the urine when the flow is adequate.
- Limit your intake of coffee, tea, and caffeinated beverages to 1-2 cups per day.
Step 2. Get plenty of rest
Sometimes staying in bed and resting can help reduce pain. If this is due to kidney stones or injury, excessive movement or physical activity can cause bleeding.
Avoid lying on your side, as this can aggravate the discomfort
Step 3. Apply heat to reduce pain
You can place a warmer or warm cloth on the painful area to temporarily relieve the discomfort. Heat promotes blood flow and reduces nerve sensitivity, both of which reduce the sensation of pain. Heat, among other things, is particularly indicated when the pain is due to muscle spasms.
Don't overdo the heat as you may get burned. Use an electric warmer, immerse yourself in a hot bath, or use a cloth previously soaked in hot (not hot) water
Step 4. Take pain relievers
There are several over-the-counter pain relievers that can combat kidney pain. Paracetamol / acetaminophen is generally the most suitable drug for managing pain due to infections and kidney stones. Consult your doctor before taking any pain reliever medications, as some of these can aggravate the problem or interact with other conditions.
- Do not take high doses of aspirin. This medicine increases the risk of bleeding and can aggravate vascular obstructions, such as stones.
- NSAIDs can be dangerous in the case of impaired kidney function. If you have already suffered from kidney problems, do not take ibuprofen or naproxen (unless your doctor recommends them).
Step 5. Consult your doctor about antibiotics
If you have any kind of urinary tract infection, you need to take this class of drugs. Kidney stones can cause urine to stagnate, which returns to the kidneys causing bacterial growth that can lead to an infection. In this case, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you.
- The most common antibiotics that are used for this type of infection are trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin and cefalexin. When the infection is mild or moderate, men need 10 days of treatment, women only for 3 days.
- Always complete your prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better and symptoms go away.
Step 6. Avoid getting too much vitamin C
This vitamin is generally of great help to the body, especially when you need to heal wounds or promote bone development. However, an overdose can convert to oxalate in the kidneys and in turn turn into stones; therefore you must avoid taking too much vitamin C if you are prone to kidney stones or have a family history of this disorder.
People who tend to suffer from calcium oxalate stones should limit the consumption of foods that are rich in calcium oxalate, such as beets, chocolate, coffee, cola, walnuts, parsley, peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea and wheat bran
Step 7. Drink cranberry juice regularly
It is an amazing natural remedy for kidney and urinary tract infections. It begins to act within 8 hours after consuming it and avoids bacterial proliferation and colonization. It also helps dissolve struvite and brushite kidney stones.
However, avoid drinking it if you have an oxalate stone, as cranberry juice is particularly rich in vitamin C and oxalates
Part 2 of 2: Knowing the Causes of Kidney Pain
Step 1. See a doctor if you think you have a kidney infection or pyelonephritis
A kidney infection starts with a urinary tract infection that progresses and spreads to the kidneys. If not treated promptly it can cause permanent damage to these organs. One or both kidneys could be infected, causing deep, sharp pain in the abdomen, back, hips, and even groin. If you have the following symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible:
- Fever, even with chills.
- Frequent urination.
- Strong and persistent need to urinate.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Presence of pus or blood in the urine (may be red or brownish).
- Foul-smelling or cloudy urine.
- Seek emergency medical attention if you experience these symptoms accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor if you think you have kidney stones
Stones are a major cause of kidney pain. The pain begins when the kidneys try to get rid of the stones but have a hard time doing so. This type of pain is usually of the colic type.
- Kidney stones often manifest as sudden, extreme pain in the lower back, hips, groin, or abdomen.
- Stones can also cause other symptoms, including pain in the penis or testicles, difficulty urinating, or a frequent and urgent need to urinate.
Step 3. If you think your kidneys may be bleeding, go to the emergency room
The bleeding can be due to trauma, illness, or medication. Some bleeding disorders may have left blood clots in the kidneys, and when these obstructions prevent normal blood flow to some area of the organs, they start to hurt. This type of pain can also come in waves, but is usually felt in the side, in the area between the upper abdomen and the back. Other symptoms that may indicate kidney injury are:
- Abdominal pain or swelling.
- Blood in the urine.
- Lack of energy or sleepiness.
- Fever.
- Decreased urination or difficulty urinating.
- Increased heart rate.
- Nausea and vomit.
- Sweating.
- Cold, clammy skin.
Advice
- Stay hydrated. It is important to get rid of bacteria in the kidneys by drinking plenty of water.
- "Natural" remedies such as dandelion, apple cider vinegar, rose hips and asparagus have not given scientific evidence as effective solutions for treating kidney stones. Keep drinking plenty of water and see your doctor for a cure.
