What happens when your kidneys start hurting?

It may be a sign of an infection, injury or another health problem, such as kidney stones. Because of where your kidneys are in your body, kidney pain is also often confused with back pain. Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing your kidney pain and to find the right treatment.

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Should I be worried if my kidneys hurt?

Kidney pain may be mild or severe. Sometimes it's harmless, but in most cases, it means that you have a problem somewhere in your urinary system. If you develop back pain along with fever, vomiting, pain when you pee or other worrisome symptoms, see a healthcare provider right away.

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What should I do if my kidney hurts?

It's important to schedule an appointment with your urologist if pain is persistent or severe, or if you are experiencing the symptoms of a kidney infection.

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What are signs of kidney pain?

Symptoms of Kidney Pain
  • A dull ache that's usually constant.
  • Pain under your rib cage or in your belly.
  • Pain in your side; usually only one side, but sometimes both hurt.
  • Sharp or severe pain that may come in waves.
  • Pain that can spread to your groin area or belly.

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What are the first signs of kidney problems?

Symptoms can include:
  • weight loss and poor appetite.
  • swollen ankles, feet or hands – as a result of water retention (oedema)
  • shortness of breath.
  • tiredness.
  • blood in your pee (urine)
  • an increased need to pee – particularly at night.
  • difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • itchy skin.

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Common Causes of Kidney and Back Pain

15 related questions found

What does stage 1 kidney disease feel like?

Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include: High blood pressure. Swelling in your hands or feet. Urinary tract infections.

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How do I check if my kidneys are OK?

Blood Tests. Because your kidneys remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the blood, a doctor will also use a blood test to check your kidney function. The blood tests will show how well your kidneys are doing their job and how quickly the waste is being removed.

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What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?

When your kidneys are failing, a high concentration and accumulation of substances lead to brown, red, or purple urine. Studies suggest the urine color is due to abnormal protein or sugar as well as high numbers of cellular casts and red and white blood cells.

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What does bad kidneys feel like?

A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired, weak and can make it hard to concentrate. Another complication of kidney disease is anemia, which can cause weakness and fatigue. You're having trouble sleeping.

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What foods are bad for kidneys?

People with kidney disease typically need to follow a low-sodium diet. This means avoiding foods such as salted snacks, cured meats, and processed foods. Some people may also need to manage their intake of potassium and phosphorus.

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What is the fastest way to flush your kidneys?

How to cleanse the kidneys
  1. Drink more water. Drinking enough fluid every day is essential to a person's overall health. ...
  2. Reduce sodium intake. ...
  3. Make dietary changes.

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How long do sore kidneys last?

Usually, you'll start to feel better quite soon after treatment starts and you should feel completely better after about two weeks. If your symptoms show no sign of improvement 24 hours after treatment starts, contact your GP for advice.

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How long should kidney pain last?

Most people who are diagnosed and treated promptly with antibiotics feel completely better after about 2 weeks. People who are older or have underlying conditions may take longer to recover. If your symptoms show no sign of improvement 24 hours after treatment starts, contact a GP for advice.

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Do kidneys hurt when dehydrated?

Dehydration can cause a build-up of wastes and acids in the body, and it can clog the kidneys with muscle proteins (myoglobin). All these things can hurt the kidneys.

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Can kidney pain come and go?

The pain can be sharp or a dull ache, and it may come and go. It's usually worse on one side, but it can occur on both flanks. Problems in the kidney (such as an infection or a kidney stone) are common causes of flank pain.

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What are four signs of kidney trouble?

If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs:
  • Extreme tiredness (fatigue).
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Confusion or trouble concentrating.
  • Swelling (edema), particularly around your hands, ankles or face.
  • Peeing more often.
  • Cramps (muscle spasms).
  • Dry or itchy skin.

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How to clean kidneys?

Seven Ways To Cleanse Your Kidneys and Promote Good Kidney Health
  1. Drink Water. Most people need to drink around two to three liters of water per day. ...
  2. Low Sodium Diet. ...
  3. Maintain Normal Blood Pressure. ...
  4. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight. ...
  5. Prevent Diabetes. ...
  6. Exercise. ...
  7. A Kidney Healthy Diet. ...
  8. 28 Comments.

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Does clear pee mean your kidneys are good?

If your urine is clear and you're not on a water pill or drinking a lot of water, it may signal an underlying kidney problem or possibly diabetes.

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What are the five stages of kidney disease?

Five stages of chronic kidney disease
  • Stage 1 with normal or high GFR (GFR > 90 mL/min)
  • Stage 2 Mild CKD (GFR = 60-89 mL/min)
  • Stage 3A Moderate CKD (GFR = 45-59 mL/min)
  • Stage 3B Moderate CKD (GFR = 30-44 mL/min)
  • Stage 4 Severe CKD (GFR = 15-29 mL/min)
  • Stage 5 End Stage CKD (GFR <15 mL/min)

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Can kidneys repair themselves?

A kidney is an organ with relatively low basal cellular regenerative potential. However, renal cells have a pronounced ability to proliferate after injury, which undermines that the kidney cells are able to regenerate under induced conditions.

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Where is kidney pain felt?

Kidney pain, or renal pain, is usually felt in your back (under the ribs, to the right or left of the spine). It can spread to other areas, like the sides, upper abdomen or groin. If you have a kidney stone, you usually feel the pain in your back, side, lower belly or groin.

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What are the 2 main tests for kidney disease?

What tests do doctors use to diagnose and monitor kidney disease? a blood test that checks how well your kidneys are filtering your blood, called GFR. GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate. a urine test to check for albumin.

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What is the main cause of kidney failure?

What causes kidney failure? High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of kidney failure. They can also become damaged from physical injury, diseases, or other disorders.

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Can kidney affect your legs?

Your kidneys remove extra fluids and salt from your body. When they can no longer do this, the fluids and salt build up in your body. This build-up causes swelling, which you may notice in your: Legs.

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