Kidney stones can cause severe kidney pain that can be mistaken for back pain. With kidney problems, however, a massage or hot compress won't make the pain go away. Here's what to look for to see if you need a kidney test.

The Differences Between Back Pain & Kidney Problems

1. Location

Your kidneys are located under the rib cage on your backside on either side of the spine. If you have a kidney stone or other kidney issue, you’ll feel the pain around one of these sides, often feeling like it comes from deeper in the body. Back pain, on the other hand, can be felt anywhere on the back aside from the area of your kidneys.

2. Type of Pain

A kidney infection causes a consistent dull ache that will last until the infection clears. Kidney stones are more variable: small stones cause no discomfort at all while bigger ones can be debilitating. The pain from large kidney stones is sharp, intense, and will get worse over time.

3. Accompanying Symptoms

Kidney disease is often associated with digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. You may also feel the need to urinate frequently or feel pain or see blood while urinating. You may also experience dizziness, fatigue, and fever depending on the type of condition affecting your kidneys.

4. Causes

Back pain is often due to a strained muscle, so if you overdid it in a workout or have been in an accident, you’re likely feeling back pain. Kidney problems often occur after a urinary tract infection or an injury directly to the kidneys. If there is no specific incident that accounts for your kidney pain, have a doctor perform a kidney test to see if you have kidney stones or blood clots in the area.

If you're suffering from kidney stones or want to be tested for other kidney concerns, visit Mt Auburn Nephrology in Cincinnati, OH. They are a full-service Hamilton County nephrology office with skilled doctors to diagnose and treat a full range of kidney conditions. They are affiliated with several convenient dialysis locations and work with a variety of insurance carriers to make it easy to get treated. Call (513) 841-0222 or contact them online to schedule an appointment.