Persistent back pain? Could be a warning sign of liver or kidney diseases

There will hardly be anyone who has never experienced back pain at least once in their lifetime. Back pain or lower back pain is not always related to the muscles. Internal organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs, could also cause it. You can distinguish whether the pain is related to muscles or an internal organ by observing the type of pain, its location, and any associated symptoms, such as fever, jaundice, or breathing difficulties.

1)Back pain while coughing
Back pain that occurs while coughing, sneezing or taking a deep breath may be due to infection or inflammation in the kidneys or liver. When the lungs expand, inflammation can occur in the lung linings because of pneumonia or pleurisy, causing piercing pain on the lower back (pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, which are the two large, thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall). Infection in the kidneys can also cause severe back pain. The movements and the pressure while coughing is what causes the pain. Do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention if back pain is accompanied by fever, shortness of breath or urinary problems.

2) Lower back pain
Lower back pain or pain around the waist is often associated with kidney disease. It usually occurs on both sides of the spine or around the lower back. A kidney stone or another infection may cause the pain. Frequent urination, a burning sensation during urination, hematuria (blood in the urine), and fever are additional symptoms. Compared to back pain caused by injury to bones or muscles, kidney-related pain is usually more intense.

3) Flank pain
Flank pain is the discomfort felt in the area on either side of your lower back or lower ribs, often caused by a kidney stone or an infection such as pyelonephritis. The pain could gradually spread to the lower back or pelvis area. If the pain occurs due to kidney problems, then it would be accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in the quantity and colour of the urine. It is essential to consult a doctor if flank pain persists.   

4) Pain on the upper right back
Pain in the upper right side of the back could be a symptom of liver disease. It may also radiate to below the right shoulder. The liver is placed above the right abdomen. The pain radiates mainly due to hepatitis, fatty liver disease, tumours or enlargement of the liver. Additionally, fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and a swollen stomach are some of the other symptoms.

5) Pain in the mid-upper back
Pain in the mid–the upper back region could be due to a lung-related issue. It may spread around the shoulder blade, too. Mid–upper back pain may also be caused by pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pleurisy or lung cancer. Besides the pain, you might also feel heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath, coughing up blood or a severe cough.

Exercise
Exercises or workouts can ease back pain to a certain extent. However, it is recommended that you consult a doctor first to rule out any severe diseases. Most back pains are not dangerous, but some are indicators of serious health conditions or diseases. Persistent back pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever, loss of bowel control, and weakening of the legs could be signs of an infection, tumour, nerve compression, or fracture. Ignoring these symptoms may delay proper diagnosis and could cause permanent damage.

15 minutes of exercise daily
Rest, hot/cold therapy and stretching can provide relief from mild back pain. For severe back pain, painkillers, regular exercise, proper posture, and practices that strengthen the spine can be helpful. Make sure to seek medical treatment if these are not effective. Medications, injections and physiotherapy could be helpful in relieving back pain. But if these don’t work, surgical procedures like spinal fusion or discectomy would be recommended by the doctors. Bad sitting posture or lack of proper sleep may also cause back pain. Stretching could help relieve back pain to a certain extent.

Yoga for back pain
Yoga can help relieve back pain by strengthening the supporting muscles and improving flexibility. Cat cow pose and sphinx pose relax the spine, while the dog pose and sethubandanasan strengthen the core and glute muscles. These poses can provide good support to the spine and improves its flexibility and movement, Moreover, yoga can reduce the stiffness of the back muscles. However, you should seek medical help if the back pain is severe and persistent.