The number of people who suffer from lower back pain is outstanding, but what many of these sufferers do not know is that the problem may be due to their kidneys. Kidneys are located at the lower edges of the ribs on either side of the spine. When the pain is in the kidneys, it is felt in the lower back and mistaken for a spinal or muscular problem. To determine the location of the pain, a simple test can be performed. If the pain worsens with movement and lessens with hot or cold compresses, it is in the spine. When movement has no impact and various temperatures do not provide relief, it is likely pain in the kidneys.
CAUSES

Several conditions can cause pain in the kidneys. The first is kidney stones. When a stone becomes lodged in the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder, urine backs up in the kidney. This causes it to become swollen and enlarged, and unfortunately, painful. Other times, a kidney stone does not form at all, but a blockage still occurs. This could be due to an enlarged or swollen tube. If the symptoms of a fever accompany the aching kidney, it could be that there is an infection. However, this is much less common than the infamous bladder infection.

TREATMENTS

Thankfully, unlike back pain which is often long term, diagnoses that involve pain in the kidney can be treated effectively. Kidney stones often will pass naturally through the body’s system, but in extreme cases, surgery can remove it. A doctor may prescribe pain medication until either of these takes place. When the blockage does not involve kidney stones, a doctor may perform surgery or prescribe antihistamines depending on the severity of the condition. Those who suffer from kidney infections must be treated immediately with pyelonephritis, an intravenous antibiotic. This will prevent the infection from spreading to the bloodstream and becoming potentially dangerous.

RELIEF AND PREVENTION

While surgery and prescription medications can numb the pain and remove the problem, natural methods can eliminate the pain and prevent the condition from the beginning. Artichokes and asparagus are the top vegetables for kidney health. For those that currently have kidney pain, they will dull the pain and promote a quick recovery; those that do not currently have pain will be less likely to develop it. Other vegetables that should be incorporated into the daily diet are celery and beets. Those who have kidney stones should be especially wary of calcium rich foods such as cheese and milk as these can increase the size of the stones. Also, a glass of cranberry juice and an intake of 8 glasses of water will provide a daily flush of any toxins that may cause kidney stones or disease.

The proper diet will ensure kidney health, but in more serious cases, the pain cannot be endured for the length of time it will take for the changes to kick in. Hot and cold compresses will do very little to ease the pain, however, a paste of garlic and onion will. Soaking a bandage in the paste and applying it to the affected area will provide almost immediate relief.

Any pain that is felt in the kidneys should be examined by a doctor to rule out the possibility of it being a potentially serious condition. Combining the recommended doctor’s treatment along with the natural measures that can be done in the privacy of the home will ensure the sufferer’s ability to carry on with ease. The best way to cure such a problem is to prevent it from forming with proper kidney health.