Kidney stones pain: How it's different from usual back or gas pain

Do you often feel sudden and intense pain in your lower back? Then, you shouldn't take it lightly-- especially if it is recurrent or has been happening for a while. Back pain is usually brushed off as sudden muscle pull or due to gas, but if it persists for long it could also be a sign of something more serious— like kidney stone in some cases. But, what's the difference between pain due to kidney stones and the one because of back or gas? Here we list some striking differences between them that will help you decode which is which:

The pain caused due to kidney stone is usually sudden, severe and sharp. People suffering from kidney stone pain, also called renal colic, often describe it as a shooting pain which might feel as if they are being stabbbed or squeezed from the inside. In some cases it may be so intense that people suffering from kidney stone pain might even feel nauseaous. On the contrary, normal back pain or gas pain is comparatively dull and persistent. In case of muscle pain, it can get worse due to certain movements or postures.

Kidney stone pain generally begins just below the ribs on the sides; it can also move towards lower abdomen and groin as the stone passes through the urinary tract. And so, kidney stone pain can shifts positions. Meanwhile, back pain generally tends to stay at one place where the muscle is pulled. And, gas pain is likely felt in the stomach and upper abdomen, and it can shift too depending on digestion or body posture.

Pain due to kidney stone is often accompanied with other symptoms like blood in the urine or cloudy urine, frequent urges to urinate, painful urination, fever, or chills. These symptoms are absent in back or gas pain. In cases of gas pain, it may be accompanied by signs like bloating, burping, or feeling of relief after passing gas. Meanwhile, in case of back pain one can feel stiffness or soreness in the muscles.

Back pain is generally caused sue to muscle soreness or muscle pull and so it can worsen or improve depending on your posture or body movements, like bending, sitting, or lying down. Meanwhile, gas pain can be reduced after walking or using the restroom. But if the pain is due to kidney stones, it generally doesn’t improve with movement or rest. Sufferers often pace or shift positions constantly, trying to find relief, but get no success in it. This continuous, sharp and shooting pain is a classic sign of kidney stone pain.

This article is meant for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.