What Is Kidney Pain?
Kidney pain causes pain in the hip, back and near the ribs, which may cause fever. In addition, color changes in urine are also due to kidney disease. The kidney is a pea-sized organ located at the back of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. If the part of the kidneys is injured or dysfunctional in the activity, it may lead to pain. The pain that usually occurs in the lower back or abdomen or is caused by renal dysfunction (may be accompanied by fever and urinary symptoms) is called kidney pain.
Some people are surprised at the exact location of the kidneys. The kidneys are relatively high inside the body, below the ribs. Pain in the back or ribs may be a sign of kidney pain. The kidneys have the function of filtering the toxins and excess water from the blood through urine. The urine produced by the kidneys will pass through two tubes called the ureters and then down the bladder. Urine is deposited here for several hours and then released through the urethra.
In many cases, kidney pain is more likely to be confused with back pain or stomach pain. It is usually a pain in the back and groin. Therefore, many people ignore it and do not think that they have kidney pain.
When the blood is released from the vessel wall in the kidney due to damage to blood vessels, hemorrhage will occur. It leads to the pain in the kidney.
- Kidney Stones
This is a common cause of serious kidney pain in the lower back and abdomen. When the kidneys are impaired, wastes such as uric acid or excess calcium, which is not removed from the body, accumulate in the body and then forming stones. These stones are trapped in the ureter, blocking the flow of urine, and causing swelling of the kidneys and severe kidney failure. The process of the formation of kidney stones has no obvious symptoms. Therefore, patients often do not think that they have kidney stones. It is only when the stones cause severe pain or are passed into the urine. Kidney stones are a common disease today, due to the habit of sitting a lot, afraid to drink water, taking medication or calcium supplements, etc. Patients should seek medical attention immediately when having the first signs of kidney stones to treat it promptly.
- Blood Clots In The Renal Veins (Renal Vein Thrombosis)
When blood clots appear deep in the body, they may be painful and extremely dangerous. This blood clot is called deep vein thrombosis. Deep venous thrombosis is a barrier on the arteries which blocks the circulatory system and blocks blood flow. The situation is more dangerous if deep vein thrombosis is removed from the original location and moved to the lungs. By then, it will block the pulmonary artery to prevent this important organ from receiving oxygen and blood. The result is that the lungs, as well as other organs, are damaged and may then lead to death.
- Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is a type of urinary tract infection, caused by bacteria. When bacteria enter, it usually causes inflammation and kidney pain. People with kidney stones are at higher risk for kidney disease.
- Osteoarthritis
Despite an only small portion, some kidney failure patients are due to osteoarthritis such as spinal degeneration and herniated disk. Symptoms, such as pain and kidney pain accompanied by back pain, may cause sore on either side or back. The pain usually occurs when you carry heavy things or stand for too long. If you rest, it will help to reduce the pain.
- Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer accounts for 90% of primary kidney malignancies. It usually occurs in adults over the age of 40. Kidney cancer accounts for 1-2% of all cancers in adults. Kidney cancer may appear on many people in the family, and genetic factors are also mentioned.
- Kidney Infection
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a urinary tract infection. The disease is usually caused by the infection in the lower urinary tract (in the bladder and urethra). Then, the bacteria multiply and move up the urinary tract and cause a kidney infection. Kidney infections are a potential bacterial infection of the bloodstream, which may lead to fatal sepsis.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammation is a common infection of the female reproductive organs. More than 1 million women are diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease every year in the United States. It occurs when bacteria enter the vagina, uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, and it may cause an ovarian abscess. If not treated promptly, Pelvic inflammatory disease may lead to other serious, long-lasting consequences.
- Arteriosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis Leading To Kidney)
An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Atherosclerosis is the disease that makes your arteries hard and narrow. Even, the artery may become completely blocked.
- Kidney Failure
Some patients with kidney failure may have pain in the back or the ribs.
What Are Symptoms Of Kidney Pain?
Normally, patients often have signs of back pain, and they concurrently conclude that it may be because of kidney stones. However, 98% of back pain is not due to kidney disease but to the disease of the spine, back, nerves, or body aches. 2% of back pain is due to kidney disease, only more than 1% is caused by kidney stones, and the rest is due to kidney inflammation.
- Kidney pain that causes pain in the back, near the ribs may be accompanied by fever.
- Kidney stones and ureteral stones cause severe pain. The pain is from the back to the genitals. If kidney pain is due to kidney stones, patients will experience dull pain in the side of the hip, dark urine, or sometimes blood in the urine. Kidney pain is due to ureteral stones; patients will suffer from severe pain in the lower abdomen, and feel uncomfortable, painful, cold sweating, and accompanied by blood in the urine.
- Patients with the lower abdominal pain experience suddenly intense, cramping, and pain spreading behind the back, especially the lower back.
- Urinary disorders and difficulty urinating
- Feeling nausea
- Fatigue, sweating
Who Is At Risk Of Kidney Pain?
Some people are prone to kidney pain if they have diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and hereditary diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, Alport syndrome, congestion, congenital urinary disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, hypertrophic, or prostate cancer. People who use long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and some antibiotics likely suffer from kidney pain.
In addition, people with kidney malformations or obesity, or people who have suffered from kidney injury are also more likely to suffer from kidney pain.
When To See A Doctor?
You need to call your doctor and schedule an appointment immediately if the following symptoms appear:
- You constantly have a dull pain on one side of your back or hip.
- You have a fever, body aches, and fatigue.
- You have had urinary tract infections recently.
- Get to the hospital immediately if the pain comes suddenly, and is getting worse, regardless of having blood or not in the urine.
There, you have discovered some information about kidney pain. To overcome this condition, many people come to see a doctor. However, if you want to prevent this disease, or your condition is not too severe, you can fully apply the home remedies we will mention below. With these natural remedies, you can do them at home. This is not time-consuming but very effective. It is time to find out what the best home remedies for kidney pain are. Take a look at TrueRemedies.com!
Natural Home Remedies For Kidney Pain
1. Cabbage
Cabbage is rich in phytochemicals. This substance may eliminate free radicals thanks to its antioxidant properties, reduce damage and inflammation to the body thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties[1] [2]. Thanks to these effects, cabbage also helps reduce the pressure on the kidneys in the dialysis. That is why people with kidney problems should eat a lot of cabbage.
Directions:
- Prepare 2 – 3 cabbage, two small onions, and two glasses of water.
- Put this mixture in the pan and boil until dry.
- Put the mixture on a clean cloth or gauze and apply it to the affected area for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
2. Mustard
Mustard that is made from the seeds of several plant species (related to canola – Brassica napus) of the genus Brassica is commonly used for spices. The seeds are also pressed to produce mustard oil, and the young leaves may be eaten as a vegetable.
Mustard contains selenium, magnesium, and allyl isothiocyanate – a compound that has an anti-inflammatory effect[3] [4]. Moreover, it helps to relax your muscles and boost blood circulation to reduce the pain[5].
Directions:
- Take one tablespoon of mustard powder and add about 3 tablespoons of flour to it.
- Pour water or egg whites and stir well.
- Apply a layer of the paste to the affected area
- Or, pour the mixture into a cloth, and then keep the cloth in place.
- Wait for 30 minutes and then remove it.
- Do it every day until the pain decreases.
3. Watermelon Seed
When it comes to effective remedies for kidney pain, watermelon seed is a good choice. Watermelon seeds contain iron, potassium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, folate, and thiamine. Moreover, watermelon seeds contain potent antioxidants[6] [7] [8], and they are effective in treating chest pain, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and arteriosclerosis. At the same time, the substances in watermelon seeds also help promote blood circulation in the body. It is also very effective in treating urinary tract infections and kidney-related diseases such as kidney stones[9].
Method 1: Just Watermelon Seed
Directions:
- Prepare 20-30 watermelon seeds and 2 liters of water.
- Grind watermelon seeds and boil for 15 minutes with two liters of water.
- Drink for 2 days and have a break. Repeat this process for several weeks, but remember to pause on the third day.
Method 2: Watermelon Seeds And Lemon
Directions:
- Prepare watermelon seeds which are washed and dried for 1-2 days.
- Put one teaspoon of watermelon in a glass of boiling water and soak for 5 minutes.
- Pour the juice from half a lemon and stir.
- Filter out water and drink it 2-3 times a day.
4. Lemon
Lemon juice, which contains a very low amount of oxalate, may damage the stones and prevent the crystals from developing into kidney stones[10].
You can add fresh lemon juice to your water and drink as often as you can. Lemons have citrate, a chemical that may prevent calcium stones from forming[11]. Also, citrate may break up small stones, which allows them to pass easily through the urine[12] [13].
Method 1: Just Lemon
Add lemon juice to a glass of water and drink it every morning when empty stomach to discharge waste and remove toxins from the kidneys.
Method 2: Lemon And Beer
Directions:
- Pour olive oil, lemon juice, and beer in equal amounts in a glass container with a lid.
- Every day after waking up, use about 50ml of the mixture. Note that before you drink, shake well and drink before breakfast for 30 minutes.
- After use, tighten the lid and store the remaining mixture in a cool place and avoid direct light.
Remember to follow the method at least a week. After about a week, you should go to check to determine the effectiveness and consult with the doctor about how to treat it more effectively and fast.
5. Water
Among home remedies for kidney pain, drinking water/fluids is one of the most effective remedies. Drinking plenty of water helps the body retain water. It also removes stones in the bladder, one of the causes of kidney pain. This is the most important thing to do to reduce kidney pain[14]. Two to three liters of water per day is the recommended amount for good health. However, you may need more to get kidney stones. Water helps clear bacteria and dead cells in the kidneys. Stagnant urine is responsible for the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Small kidney stones (<4mm) may also be naturally extruded through the urine if the flow is strong enough. Limit coffee, tea, and cola to one or two cups a day.
Directions:
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
- Drink slowly into small sips
6. Basil
This is another must-try home treatment in this list of home remedies for kidney pain. Whole basil contains the essential oil (0.02 – 0.08%), which is the highest content when plants are flowering. The essential oil has the scent of citronella and lemon. In the oil, there is linalool (60%), cineol, methyl estrogen – chavicol (25-60-70%) and many other substances. The warmth of basil may stimulate absorption, sweating, blood loss, diuretic, and pain management[15] [16]. Fruit of basil is sweet, spicy, and cool. Flowers of basil are diuretic and nervous regulation. Basil is one of the good diuretics and detoxifiers for the kidneys. They reduce the excess uric acid in the blood – one of the main reasons for kidney stones, helping clean the kidneys[17].
Method 1: Basil Leaves
Directions:
- Squeeze a handful of basil leaves to have its juice
- Add a few drops of lemon juice to it to create a mixture
- Apply this mixture to the kidney area
- Wait for about 20 minutes and rinse it with warm water
Method 2: Basil Leaves And Honey
Directions:
- Wash 100g basil leaves
- Crush the basil leaves and add a tablespoon of honey
- Then, add this mixture to a cup of water
- Drink basil juice in the early morning when the stomach is empty
7. Celery
This remedy is one of the little-known home remedies for kidney pain. According to research conducted by the Medical Center at the University of Maryland and Mercer University in the US, celery has proven to contain essential oils such as Flavonoids and Coumarin, Omega-3 fatty acids, and 3nB (3- N-butylphthalide), all of which help to reduce edema around the arthritic joints. Celery essential oils help ease pain and relieve joint inflammation [18]. Celery is a natural diuretic, helping to get rid of excess Urate salts and toxins from the body and melt the stagnant buildups in the joints. Thanks to this effect, celery is recommended for use in people with kidney stones, edema, and gout[19].
Celery contains natural antibiotic compounds that are effective in treating many kinds of infections in the body, especially urinary tract infection and urinary stones. Besides this, the phenolic compounds in celery seeds work against free radicals, which help prevent cellular damage, oxidation, and inflammation [20]. Celery extract helps to reduce uric acid levels in the urine, reduces plasma uric acid levels, ease inflammation, and relieve oxidative stress. Celery seed oil is a rich source of sedanolide – a substance used to treat the inflammation related to gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Method 1: Celery For The Meal
Directions:
- Prepare 100 grams of celery, 100 grams of lean meat, 300ml chicken broth, 30 grams of mushroom, 10 grams of strawberries, 10 grams of onion, 5 grams of ginger, enough amount of water, salt, and oil
- Put all ingredients into a pot and boil
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Drink it 2 to 3 times a day
Method 2: Celery Seeds
Directions:
- Take a teaspoon of celery seeds.
- Grind them and soak it in a glass of hot water for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir well and use once a day.
This method helps to eliminate wastes in the kidneys and reduce the pain.
Note:
- Pregnant women should not use celery seed as it may lead to uterine bleeding and muscle cramps in the uterus, which may cause miscarriage.
8. Rest
Sometimes lying down and sleeping also helps relieve pain. That is why it is mentioned in this series of remedies for kidney pain. If you have pain due to kidney stones or kidney damage, excessive exercise may cause kidney bleeding. Lying on your side may reduce the pain.
Moreover, lack of sleep may trigger kidney disease, especially for women, a recent study suggests[21].
9. Use Heat To Relieve Kidney Pain
You can apply warm pads or warm towels to the affected area for temporary relief from the pain[22]. Temperature increases blood circulation and reduces nerve sensation, which may help to reduce pain[23]. The heat therapy may be particularly effective in reducing pain caused by muscle spasms.
Note that do not use too much heat because it may cause burns. Let’s use hot mattresses, hot showers, or towels dipped in hot (but not boiling) water.
10. Take Painkillers
Some over-the-counter pain relievers may help you with kidney pain. Acetaminophen/paracetamol is often recommended for pain due to infection and kidney stones[24]. Consult your doctor before taking any painkillers because some types may aggravate your problem or react to other conditions.
Do not take high doses of aspirin. Aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding and aggravate any obstruction, such as kidney stones. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) may be dangerous if you have kidney failure. Unless recommended by your doctor, do not take ibuprofen or naproxen if you have kidney disease.
Notes:
- Avoid overloading vitamin C. In general, vitamin C is beneficial to the human body, especially in wound healing and bone formation. However, an excess amount of vitamin C may be converted to oxalate in the kidney. Oxalate can form stones. Therefore, avoid excess vitamin C if you are easily kidney stones or your family members have had kidney stones.
- People susceptible to calcium oxalate should limit foods rich in oxalates such as purple radishes, chocolate, coffee, colas, beans, parsley, peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea, and wheat bran.
- Exercise regularly and avoid damage to the kidneys
- Reduce consumption of red meat.
