The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine behind the abdomen. They play a vital role in filtering waste and toxins from the blood. Kidney inflammation, also known as nephritis, can occur when the kidneys become damaged. This often causes swelling and tenderness in the kidneys. But can you actually feel it if your kidneys are inflamed? Let’s take a closer look.
What Causes Kidney Inflammation?
There are several potential causes of kidney inflammation:
- Infections: Bacterial and viral infections, like strep throat, can spread to the kidneys and cause inflammation.
- Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like lupus can cause the immune system to attack the kidneys, leading to inflammation.
- Kidney injury: Physical trauma, certain toxins and medications can directly damage the kidneys and surrounding tissue.
- Blocked urine flow: Kidney stones, enlarged prostate, and tumors can block urine flow and cause kidney swelling and inflammation.
In many cases, the exact cause of the inflammation is unknown. This is called interstitial nephritis.
Symptoms of Kidney Inflammation
Kidney inflammation can cause several noticeable symptoms:
- Flank pain: A dull, aching pain in one or both sides of the back over the kidneys. This is one of the most common symptoms.
- Fever and chills
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Fatigue and generally feeling unwell
- Abdominal pain, especially below the ribs
- Swelling in hands, feet, and ankles due to fluid retention
- Foamy or tea-colored urine from blood in the urine
- Difficulty or pain while urinating
However, kidney inflammation does not always produce clear symptoms, especially in the early stages. People may attribute these vague symptoms to other conditions. But can you actually feel or notice when your kidneys are inflamed?
Can You Feel Kidney Inflammation?
For many people with kidney inflammation, they report being able to feel tenderness or pain over the kidneys in the back. However, the kidneys themselves do not contain pain-sensing nerves. So what causes this discomfort?
There are a few explanations:
- Inflammation of the renal capsule: The renal capsule is a protective layer of tissue surrounding the kidneys. When inflamed, it can become painful.
- Stretching of the kidney capsule: Swelling of the kidney tissues stretches the capsule, again causing pain.
- Irritation of nearby nerves: The swelling presses on nerves surrounding the kidneys, like those along the ureters and blood vessels.
So while the kidneys themselves cannot feel pain, inflammation irritates nearby nerves and tissues that do register pain and discomfort.
Many people describe kidney inflammation pain as a dull ache or tenderness in their upper back or sides. It may come and go at first. Bending, twisting, urinating, or jogging may make the discomfort worse. Lying down and massage may provide some relief.
However, some people with kidney inflammation report little to no back or flank pain. And many other conditions like muscle strain or intestinal gas can also cause similar back aches. So pain alone does not necessarily confirm kidney issues.
Other Signs of Kidney Inflammation
While you may be able to feel kidney inflammation in some cases, there are other signs that can indicate a kidney problem:
- Changes in urine: Dark, cloudy, or bloody urine are common signs of kidney inflammation. Foam and bubbles in the urine may also be seen.
- Nausea and vomiting: Kidney inflammation can cause gastrointestinal distress and loss of appetite.
- High blood pressure: The kidneys help regulate blood pressure, so inflammation can cause hypertension.
- Swelling: Fluid retention, especially in the hands and feet, is a sign the kidneys are not filtering properly.
- Fatigue: Impaired kidney function leads to a buildup of waste in the bloodstream which causes exhaustion.
- Shortness of breath: Fluid in the lungs and anemia from blood loss into the urine can cause breathing issues.
So while back and side pain are common with kidney problems, there are many other important symptoms to be aware of. The severity of symptoms often depends on the specific cause and extent of the kidney damage.
When to See a Doctor
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs of kidney trouble. Early treatment is key to limiting damage and preventing complications.
See your doctor promptly if you experience:
- Intense or worsening back and side pain
- Nausea, fever, and chills
- Changes in urination
- Swelling in the extremities
- Fatigue, weakness, and dizziness
Seek emergency care if you have symptoms like:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe flank pain that comes on suddenly
- Large amounts of blood in the urine
These could indicate a kidney infection, kidney stone, or other urgent problem requiring rapid treatment.
Diagnosis of Kidney Inflammation
To diagnose kidney inflammation, the doctor will review your symptoms and medical history. They will likely order several tests:
- Urinalysis: Checks a urine sample for blood, protein, and other signs of kidney injury.
- Blood tests: Measures kidney function and checks for anemia and problems with electrolytes and waste filtration.
- Imaging: CT scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs provide images of the kidneys to assess damage.
- Kidney biopsy: Examines kidney tissue under a microscope to identify the specific cause of inflammation.
Based on the test results and exam findings, the doctor can confirm a diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment steps.
Treatment for Kidney Inflammation
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the inflammation while also managing symptoms. Steps may include:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Steroids and immunosuppressants for autoimmune disorders
- Dialysis for acute kidney failure
- Blood pressure medications
- Pain relievers
- Treating stones, blockages, or obstructions
- Medication adjustment to avoid further kidney damage
Improvement in kidney function may be gradual over weeks or months with treatment. Close follow-up care is important. People with chronic kidney disease must make lifestyle changes to preserve remaining kidney function.
Can Kidney Damage Be Reversed?
In some cases, the kidneys can recover fully after prompt treatment. However, significant or prolonged inflammation causes permanent scarring that cannot be reversed.
The kidneys have a large reserve capacity. Up to two-thirds of function can be lost before serious repercussions are felt. But once the damage is done, it cannot be undone. Strict control of blood pressure and diabetes, the top causes of chronic kidney injury, can prevent further loss of function.
With advanced chronic kidney disease, the only option is dialysis or an eventual kidney transplant. So early intervention is key to maintaining kidney health and function.
Protecting Your Kidneys
You can reduce your risks of developing kidney inflammation by:
- Drinking plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated
- Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
- Avoiding excessive use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen
- Preventing urinary tract infections
- Eating a balanced, low-sodium diet
- Achieving or keeping a healthy weight
- Not smoking
Seeking prompt care for any symptoms of kidney trouble can also prevent lasting damage.
Conclusion
Inflammation of the kidneys can often be felt as back, side, and abdominal pain, though sometimes there are few symptoms. Changes in urination, nausea, swelling, fatigue and weakness can also indicate kidney inflammation. If caught early, treatment may reverse the damage. But uncontrolled or chronic inflammation can lead to permanent kidney impairment. Watch for any signs of kidney trouble and see a doctor promptly to protect long-term kidney health and function.