Is back pain caused by kidney stones?

Although the feeling of lower back pain often occurs in the human body, each person should determine the different causes of lower back pain based on their own physical condition. Since kidney stones are a urinary system disease and the kidneys are mainly located on both sides of the human waist, when kidney stones occur, patients will also experience lower back pain. As kidney stones grow in size, they will have a greater impact on the patient's body, but is low back pain definitely caused by kidney stones?

1. Can kidney stones cause back pain?

Kidney stones can cause low back pain. Relevant data show that about 75% of kidney stone patients experience low back pain. When the kidney stones are large and have little mobility in the renal pelvis, the pain is mostly dull and sometimes a dull ache. When the stones are small and move widely in the renal pelvis, they can easily cause obstruction of the junction between the renal pelvis and ureter and cause renal colic.

2. Symptoms of low back pain caused by kidney stones

The low back pain caused by kidney stones is different from ordinary low back pain and stomach pain. The pain caused by kidney stones occurs in a higher area, generally above the waist and on both sides of the lumbar vertebrae. When the stones are inactive and the changes in intrarenal pelvic pressure are not obvious, there is usually occasional dull pain or a dull ache. When the kidney stones are active, colic occurs. In severe cases, the patient has difficulty standing due to the pain, sweats profusely, and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Sometimes kidney stones move to the ureter and bladder with urine, and the pain will reflect down to the lower abdomen and inner thighs, accompanied by hematuria, frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating.

3. What tests should be done for kidney stones?

Laboratory examination: Routine urine examination can reveal red blood cells, white blood cells or crystal urine pH. In patients with oxalate and urate stones, the urine is often acidic; in patients with phosphate stones, the urine is often alkaline. When there is infection, more pus cells appear in the urine. When the infection is severe, a routine blood test may show an increase in the total white blood cell count and neutrophils.

X-ray examination: X-ray examination is an important method for diagnosing kidney and ureteral stones. It can determine whether there is obstruction at the location of the stone and the degree of obstruction. About 95% of urinary tract stones can be visualized on X-ray films. Assisted by retrograde pyelourethrography, other lesions of the upper urinary tract are excluded and the treatment plan is determined. The comparison of the size and number of stones after treatment is also of great value.

Other examinations: B-ultrasound can detect dense light spots or light clusters at the site of the stone. When combined with hydronephrosis, fluid level isotopes can be detected, and renal examination shows that the affected urinary tract presents an obstructive pattern. CT scans are not as intuitive as X-rays and urography films, and are expensive, so they are generally not performed as routine examinations.

Pyelonephrography: It can be used to understand hydronephrosis and renal function, and can show the exact location of stones. Pyelonephrography can also detect a few negative stones that cannot be found on plain films. They appear as full stones with smooth edges. The density of defective positive stones is similar to that of the contrast agent and is easily obscured.

What should not be eaten for kidney stones

Oxalate Foods

About 60% of stones are calcium oxalate stones, so the intake of foods rich in oxalate should be limited. There are many foods rich in oxalic acid in our daily life, such as spinach, celery, wild rice stem, lettuce, etc. These foods are undoubtedly a death warrant for patients with kidney stones. Patients must be cautious when eating them in daily life. In addition, try not to eat foods such as beets, celery, green peppers, and coriander, as these foods can also aggravate kidney stones.

Forbidden Fruits

Patients with kidney stones should note that not all fruits are suitable for consumption. People with kidney stones should not eat fruits and dried goods rich in oxalate, such as lychees, longans, mangoes, durians, jackfruits, grapes, dried figs, and drupes, as these will aggravate the symptoms of the stones. Acidic fruits such as apples can be eaten in moderation, but not too much.

Avoid alcohol

In addition, patients should pay attention to drinking as little alcohol as possible in their daily lives, as excessive drinking can easily induce kidney stones. Moreover, drinking alcohol interferes with a series of metabolism in the body and the acidity and alkalinity of the internal environment, which increases the chance of developing stones. Therefore, alcohol is also one of the foods that cannot be eaten when suffering from kidney stones.

Avoid meat

During the treatment of kidney stones, patients should also pay attention to eating less meat, such as beef, mutton and other foods. The large amount of protein contained in these foods is also not good for the patient's health. In addition, the intake of other meats should be limited, especially some animal offal, so as not to increase the burden on the kidneys. Patients with all types of kidney stones should avoid drinking alcohol and eating high-fat foods and hairy foods.