What Is Lower Right Back Pain?
Normally, with age, you ought to face a fluid reduction in your bones. This lowering of the bone fluid between the vertebrae in the spinal cord results in pain. You might face this sort of pain after the age of 30.
There's a lot of pressure on the lower back. But what if the lower back is affected by other extra causes? It leads to severe lower right back pain. The presence of kidney stones, infections, or Appendicitis aggravates the pain in the lower right back.
If you suddenly tend to lift heavy material, a sprain can occur due to this sudden overstretching of your back ligaments. This is the most common cause of lower right back pain.
Now, when the back pain is not evenly distributed in the back. It is concentrated in the lower right side of the back specifically. This pain is usually due to injury to muscles supporting the spine or some issues with the spinal structures like the intervertebral discs o facet joints. Any disease that affects the internal organs in the lower back may also be a potential cause of this excruciating pain.
If you are suffering from any such sort of pain, it is best to consult a doctor and get a diagnosis. Stay tuned to know more about lower right back pain if you want to get relief from it!
Symptoms that state you are a sufferer of Lower Right Back pain
To treat your pain in the lower back, you need to know the potential symptoms that are leading to it. So, let us delve into it without any further delay!
Appendicitis
Just like the name points out, Appendicitis is an appendix-related issue. The appendix is situated on the lower right side of your abdomen. If the appendix suffers from blockage, then pus can form in it. The pus formation is dangerous. If the condition is untreated, then it may lead to blockage in blood flow.
Serious cases lead to the rupture of the appendix, which leads to a bacterial spill in your abdomen.
The inflammation of the appendix causes intense pain in the lower right back side. If you suffer from Appendicitis you are likely to vomit and suffer from nausea. These are the most common causes of Appendicitis. So, look out for it. If your lower right back pains and you observe these symptoms, consult a doctor and get abdominal ultrasonography.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
In simple terms, the aorta is the principal artery that extends from your heart to the abdominal cavity. If the aorta's size increases, it's a sign of its weakening. This might even lead to the rupture of this artery which becomes life-threatening. This condition is pretty common for elderly people from the age of 65. So, if the walls of the artery weaken, the size will enlarge up to 1.5 times the original size.
This artery transports blood away from your heart and distributes it to the body. This aorta is situated near the frontal spine and right below the kidneys. So, if you face great pain in the lower part of your abdomen then it might be a symptom that points to immediate medical attention for your lower right back pain.
If you are facing certain conditions, such as a drop in blood pressure leading to nausea and fainting, you should not delay seeing a doctor. This pain can also extend to other areas such as the groin, legs, and pelvis. So, watch out for that! A rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing are significant symptoms of shock caused due to the rupture of the aorta.
One-time screening is advisable for this issue. It is most preferable for men who never smoked.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Well, this syndrome is quite rare. But we need to know about it. Because a serious case might lead to medical intervention. You need to get this treated early. If you prolong an untreated Claudia syndrome, it may result in an impaired bladder or other neurological disorders. This syndrome occurs in two divisions.
Acute Onset- If you are facing an acute onset of Claudia Equina Syndrome, then you are likely to face excruciating lower back pain. This pain is due to the dysfunction of the bladder and bowel functioning. One is likely to face this issue in 24 hours.
Gradual Onset- This onset is just like acute only. But it also includes problems such as weakening of muscles and bladder.
If you are suffering from this syndrome you ought to face an altered sensation in the saddle area. This region is the part where you have your genitals and groin. These areas become numb in this syndrome. In this condition, it becomes difficult for the patient to urinate because of the extreme pain in the genital area. This calls for a prompt visit to the emergency room (ER).
Osteomyelitis
If you are wondering what it is, let me clear the confusion. This is an infection that you are likely to view in the spine. Even though it is pretty rare, this condition is found in young adults. If you have this issue, you ought to face certain issues like weight loss, swelling, and redness around the spinal cord area in the lower back.
Staphylococcus bacteria causes this problem to the spine. This bacterium enters your bone through tissues nearby. Infections may have their root in the spine itself and infect the other bones. People who smoke, are diabetic, or suffer from kidney issues are at a higher risk of Osteomyelitis.
Some of the common signs of having Osteomyelitis are fever, swelling accompanied by a burning sensation around the infected bone, fatigue, and unbearable pain. These symptoms are pretty common with other infections too. So, it is best if one prefers diagnosis to detect the issue to treat it. People who use illegal drugs will tend to get this problem. This is because of using unsterilized needles for the skin. This inserts germs into your bloodstream, which ultimately affects the bone.
Septic arthritis, skin cancer, and abnormal bone growth in kids have been associated with problems of Osteomyelitis.
Injury of The Disc
A slipped disc can occur in any part of your spine. But the lowest area, which consists of the coccyx, is more prone to this issue. If the inner gelatinous portion of the disc protrudes from the harder outer portion of the disc, then you are likely to face the problem of a slipped disc. The slipped disc causes great pain and numbness in the lower back part, and it should be looked after. Visiting a neurologist and getting the disc removed is the best option one can opt for.
At times, the slipped disc compresses the nerve root, which exits the spinal cord. You'll face this problem if you lift a heavy material all of a sudden. Due to uneasy movement of the bones and ligament, slipped disc takes place. The pain can last up to 72 hours. So, if you want to avoid this serious condition, see a doctor as soon as you start observing the symptoms of this pain.
Abnormal Curvatures of the Spine
This is one of the most well-known causes of having lower right back pain. If your backbone is not curved the right way, you might have this condition. Scoliosis, Lordosis, and Kyphosis are three irregular curvatures of the spine. The irregular curve of the spine places uneven pressure on the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This is the main cause of pain on the lower right side of your back. Let us take a short glance at the 3 unusual spinal curvatures for a better understanding:
Scoliosis
- In this case, your spine is curved in an S or a C shape. Well, it is an irregular shape. Normally, the form of your spine curves at the top and the end of your lower back.
- The AANS or the American Association of Neurological Surgeons mentions that approximately 80 % of this issue is devoid of characteristic cause.
Kyphosis
- Here, the upper portion of the spine is excessively curved. It leads to a good amount of pressure on the spinal cord. This pressure leads to excruciating pain. Physical therapy, wearing braces, and doing yoga may significantly reduce this pain. So, try them if you suffer from the issue!
Lordosis
Lordosis is the situation in which your spine seems to bend inward to a great extreme. It leads to extreme pressure on the lower back. In these cases, the spine's capacity to absorb shocks or bend flexibly is hindered. So, you need to treat it in the earliest stage.
Lordosis in pregnant women and children is pretty regular. Taking nutrition-based supplements such as vitamin d helps. Exercising regularly helps in making your glutes strong. This assists in decreasing the unbearable pain and increasing your function every day.
Problems Related to Kidney
This is one of the most common causes of pain in your lower back. The right kidney is placed slightly lower than the left. It makes the right side of the back more prone to pain if this kidney is affected. Let us get to know some of the common kidney-related issues. It will help you to understand the state of your problem in a better way.
The formation of kidney infections and kidney stones are well-known issues that need a direct discussion.
What Are Kidney Stones?
As the name suggests, if stone formation takes place inside your kidney, it's a kidney stone. These are solid, crystal structures that form if excessive minerals load inside your kidney. If your right kidney is loaded with these stones, then you are ought to suffer from a piercing pain on the side of your back. You will experience this pain in your lower abdomen as well as the groin. If you remove the stone through surgery, the pain will vanish. But before that, one will experience excruciating pain while urinating. One might even observe the urine loaded with blood. This is due to the sharp edges of the stone cutting through your ureter.
In such a case, one will need an immediate medical emergency. Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) that makes use of X-ray to break the crystals might help. Other surgical procedures to get rid of the stone can also be done. All these surgeries are to be done in strict consultation with a doctor.
Kidney Infection
This is yet another cause that your right side of the back is paining. A kidney infection can be compared to a urinary tract infection. This is caused by the bacterium E. Coli. This bacterium infects your urinary tract by going all the way down into the bladder. You ought to face chills, nausea, and vomiting if your kidney is infected with E. coli.
Consult a doctor in this case. He will suggest antibiotics to get relief from the bacteria.
Endometriosis
This is an issue that occurs in women. In this case, the tissue surrounding the uterus wall outgrows itself. It extends to such an extent as to reach the fallopian tubes or intestines. But here's the painful part. The tissue breaks down and bleeds as it does during menstruation. However, it gets trapped and finds no way out of your system. This situation is quite painful and can cause problems related to fertility.
In the United States, 1 out of 10 women suffers from this problem. It's pretty rare. But you need to watch out for it and treat it. Otherwise, it may lead to a grave situation.
Laparoscopic surgery might help in this case. Consulting the doctor and taking birth control tablets may also assist in such a case. Delay in treatment should be avoided at all costs.
Testicular Torsion
This is a problem that men suffer from. This issue can lead to pain, especially on the right side of your back. If you are having doubts about how the situation occurs, don't worry. Let me clear it right away!
There are two testicles inside a scrotum. And a cord called the spermatic cord transports blood to these testicles. But if one suffers from the problem of testicular torsion, then the cord gets twisted. This twist affects the smooth flow of blood, and testicular tissues begin to die. This condition affects males ranging from the age of 12 to 18 years. It is rare among the older population but not improbable.
This condition leads to severe pain around the groin area and around the affected testicle.
If you are suffering from this trouble, you might experience severe nausea or vomiting. See a doctor immediately if these are your symptoms.
How Can You Take Care of Lower Right Back Pain Right at Home?
You can treat your lower back pain If it is not much serious or is in the initial stage of pain. Following some simple at-home remedies can rid you of this hated issue. So, why wait? Let us get into the nitty-gritty right away!
- One can apply heating pads or ice packs to the affected area. The only thing to know is when to apply the hot or cold packs. It is advisable to apply a cold pack in case of pain or inflammation. While you may use heat therapy to soothe muscles. In case of bone injury or inflammation, it is recommendable to use a cold compress. But one should always take the advice of a doctor before applying any of these packs.
Applying ice or heat for nearly 30 minutes rid you of extreme pain in the right side of your back.
- You can also make effective use of over-the-counter methods to get rid of right back pain. Pain reliefs such as Advil, Mortin, or Ibuprofen help in such cases. But use this after a doctor's consultation.
- Drink loads of water. It is advisable to drink eight –ounces of water per day. Also, one needs to limit animal protein intake. This will help you to stay at bay from problems such as the formation of kidney stones.
- Daily exercises such as lifting are highly beneficial. Squatting helps one to get rid of any problems associated with the back. But excessive squatting and exercises on the first day won't be of any help. It will aggravate the back problem instead.
- Stretch your muscles. Doing proper exercises such as cat stretch, shoulder blade squeeze or bridge exercise helps extremely. So, don't suffer and try these out step by step!
How to Understand If You Have a Medical Urgency?
Severe right back pain calls for a medical emergency. But you need to know what are the prominent symptoms of this sort of pain. If you are not able to detect the right spot of pain, then you may need certain screenings to understand the source of pain. Usually, getting an MRI, X-Ray, and blood tests helps in these cases.
- Epidural injections are needed if you suffer from muscle or nerve issues on the right side of your back.
- Removing the appendix will help if the problem of Appendicitis is unmanageable with antibiotics.
- If you are a sufferer of aortic aneurysm, then you may need abdominal or endovascular surgery. Now, this depends on the type of aortic aneurysm you are affected with. A doctor's help is recommended to detect the right reason that ails you.
Now, if your artery is lesser than 5.5 centimeters, then the doctor may decide to treat it before performing a surgery. If the artery greatly grows in size, then surgery may be considered without any delay.
A Close Up
Now that you know the probable causes that might ail the right side of your back, it won't be difficult to understand what problem affects you. But it is not possible to know the cause of pain right away. You might only be able to guess the cause. You need a doctor's visit to confirm your doubt. The article provides you with the significant causes of lower back pain so that you do not stay in the dark regarding the pain. Getting to know about the probable symptoms is pretty useful to help you get treated in quick succession.
You might suffer from lower back pain due to several factors. Nerve compression, kidney problems, aortic aneurysm, and Appendicitis are the famous causes. There are other causes too that have been discussed, but these hold the limelight.
Do not miss your doctor's appointment if your back pain is affecting your daily work life. Get it treated without further delay!
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should One Start Worrying About Pain On the Right Side of the Back?
There's no perfect time to get worried about your right-side back pain. If you want to remain healthy and avoid this pain, you need to start exercising. Exercises would increase your spinal flexibility and strengthen the ligaments. But if you feel that there's a pain in your back, even if it's in small amount, you should visit a doctor. Following home-based remedies also help significantly!
How Can One Understand If the Right Side Back Pain Is Related to The Kidney?
Yes, this is an important question that needs an answer. If your right side back pain is related to some kidney issue, then you feel it deeper in your body. Usually, pain in the muscles remains for a few days. But kidney-related pain increases if it remains untreated. If you observe specific symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, your pain has a good chance of being kidney-related.
What Sort of Cancers Lead to Back Pain?
If your cancer remains untreated, it can infect the surrounding bones and fibers. So, knowing the right type of cancer and treating it accordingly is necessary. Back pain may consist of different types of cancers. Some are spinal tumors, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, or even blood cancers.
How Can You Know If Your Back Pain Is Very Serious?
If your right side back pain prolongs for over a week or tends to extend to different body parts, it needs serious attention. So, look out!
References:
- Maretel, J (2019), What Should You Know About Low Back Pain, Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/health/low-back-pain-acute
- Kandola, A (2019), What to Know About Lower Right Back Pain, MedicalNewsToday - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324675
- Alexander, L (2017), A Guide to Lower Right Back Pain, SpineHealth - https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/guide-lower-right-back-pain
- Lights, V. (2021), Everything You need to Know About Appendicitis, Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/health/appendicitis
- Mayo Clinic Staff - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteomyelitis/symptoms-causes/syc-2037591
