I don’t know if you have encountered this situation before. For example, when you complain about lower back pain, someone casually suggests that it might be due to kidney problems. This kind of comment may even make you doubt if there is really something wrong with your kidneys. Moreover, for most men, one of the least favorite things to hear is about kidney issues. It almost feels like an insult to them.
In fact, there are many reasons that can lead to lower back pain, not just kidney-related issues as we often tend to assume. We usually associate lower back pain with kidney diseases or lumbar muscle strain. Taking a break for a couple of days or consuming kidney disease medications seems to be the solution, but this might overshadow other underlying issues, leading to delayed diagnosis of diseases. Let’s explore other conditions that can cause lower back pain, which are important factors that should be given serious consideration.
1. Lower back pain caused by pelvic inflammatory disease
Some women, when experiencing lower back pain, may attribute it to prolonged sitting or standing exhaustion on their backs. However, it could also be due to pelvic inflammatory disease. One of the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease is aching lower back. The female pelvic area includes the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic peritoneum, and connective tissues surrounding the uterus. Pelvic inflammatory disease refers to the inflammation of a female’s reproductive organs and the surrounding connective tissues in the pelvic cavity membrane, which can be localized to one area or occur in multiple sites simultaneously.
Why does pelvic inflammatory disease lead to lower back pain? This is primarily because when afflicted with pelvic inflammatory disease, the pelvic region experiences congestion, inadequate blood circulation, local congestion, edema resulting from inflammation, which leads to lower back soreness.
2. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common issue faced by elderly individuals. With age, changes occur in the endocrine function, one of the reasons for the development of osteoporosis. When hormonal secretion becomes abnormal, it can cause osteoporosis in the lumbar vertebrae or other parts of the body, subsequently increasing the load capacity of the lumbar vertebrae, which can result in osteoporotic fractures leading to lower back pain. This situation is commonly observed among the elderly experiencing lower back pain.
3. Kidney disease leading to lower back pain
This is a point that is regularly mentioned, attributing lower back pain to kidney problems. Why would kidney disease cause lower back pain, which many individuals may not fully comprehend? The kidneys are located mainly in the lumbar region; suddenly experiencing spasmodic pain in the lower back could be due to kidney stones. Some kidney diseases can cause the kidneys to enlarge, involving the muscles and nerves in the lower back, leading to lower back pain. Some kidney diseases are infections caused by bacteria, resulting in lower back pain, such as infections leading to pyelonephritis, nephritis, renal abscess, renal tuberculosis, etc. If you inexplicably experience lower back pain, it is something that should be taken seriously.
4. Condition of the primary tissues in the lower back
This is relatively easy to understand, commonly known as lumbar muscle strain, lumbar sprain, or ligament strain due to excessive physical activities, or caused by prolonged sitting, poor posture, etc. Seeking treatment at a hospital, getting sufficient rest, avoiding strenuous physical activity during recovery can help alleviate discomfort and prevent exacerbating the condition.
5. Lower back pain caused by the mattress
Another situation that can cause lower back pain is related to the mattress on which you sleep. Sometimes, you might go to bed feeling fine but wake up the next day with lower back pain and stiffness. Sleeping on a soft sofa or mattress for an extended period can cause the lower back muscles to remain in a spasm state, preventing proper relaxation and potentially causing lumbar muscle strain and triggering lumbar disc herniation. If you experience this type of lower back pain, changing the mattress can often resolve the issue that is not too severe.
Additionally, localized tumors, spinal cord problems, and other factors can also lead to lower back pain. In conclusion, lower back pain has diverse causes and should not be simply attributed to lumbar muscle strain or kidney problems. If experiencing unexplained lower back pain that persists for several days, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation instead of attempting to self-diagnose. This precaution is essential to avoid delaying proper treatment.
