Is Your Back Pain From Kidney Stones?

BACK PAIN AND KIDNEY STONES

Is your back back pain being caused by kidney stones? As the kidneys filter waste from the blood, they create urine. Sometimes salt and other minerals in the urine stick together to form small stones. The stones can range in size from very small to the size of a ping-pong ball. They may cause intense pain if they break loose and get stuck in your ureter, a tube between your kidneys and your bladder. Kidney stones can cause pain in the back and the abdomen. They may also cause frequent urination and blood in the urine. Nausea and vomiting may also be a symptom. The pain with kidney stones can often be excruciating. There are medications that can be taken to help with the pain of kidney stones.  A procedure called a lithotripsy can dissolve the kidney stones.  Some medications also help to dissolve kidney stones.

About 80% of kidney stones are made from calcium. The rest are made up of uric acid and other minerals. Kidney stones can be analyzed to see what they are made of. What you eat and drink can cause kidney stones. Drinking too little water is the most common cause of kidney stones. Eating protein, calcium oxalate rich foods, which include spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables, salt and even chocolate can contribute. Calcium supplements have also been shown to increase kidney stone formation in some people.

So kidney stones can be a cause of back pain.  If you're having painful urination with your back pain this may be an important symptom related to kidney stones. Call us at 309 663-2423 to schedule an appointment. You can also call our office to talk to Dr Hermann over the phone about your condition. I also want to encourage anyone to comment on this article.

Dr Hermann

Hermann Wellness

309 663-2423