Right back pain may be caused by a variety of issues. Common causes include muscle strain, kidney issues, infections, hernias, or irritable bowel syndrome. While basically in the same location on the body, these various problems are extremely different maladies, requiring very different treatments.
Right back pain may result from strain or injury that caused damage to ligaments or muscles on that side of the body. These injuries may be the outcome of overuse or failing to perform proper stretching exercises prior to working out. Severe muscle spasms may mimic this kind of pain as well.
Kidney stones are small, hard pebbles that cause pain when lodged in the tubes, called the ureter, that connect the kidney with the bladder. Kidney stones may cause right back pain in two ways. Should a kidney stone block urine flow on the right side of the body, the right kidney may swell and cause pain. The movement of the kidney stone itself also causes pain and significant irritation in the ureter. Another kidney related issue, pyelonephritis, or kidney infection, causes inflammation of kidney tissue and pain as well.
Urinary tract infections also often begin with right back pain. This pain usually begins as a mild ache, which increases in strength. Other symptoms may develop, including nausea and fever. A patient may also experience a burning sensation while urinating or pressure on his or her bladder. A doctor can perform a urine test to determine if the cause of the right back pain is a urinary tract infection.
A weakening of an area on the muscular structure of the abdominal wall called a hernia can cause right back pain as well. If left untreated, pain resulting from a hernia will likely worsen. Different kinds of hernias exist and must be surgically repaired. These procedures typically remedy the problem permanently.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal condition that can cause right side pain as well as pain in other parts of the back and abdominal areas. Other symptoms include abdominal bloating and gas. A patient suffering from this condition may find relief by switching to a high fiber diet. A doctor may also prescribe medication to help reduce the pain.
Many common reasons exist for right back pain. Treatments vary widely depending upon the cause of the discomfort. Patients may be tempted to treat their problem with home remedies. A person suffering with the discomfort of right back pain for more than a couple of days may do well to consult his or her doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.