Kidney Stones
Thought you might not think it, kidney stones, also known as neprolithiasis, can cause LBP. The pain is often described as sharp, stabbed, and unilateral. Approximately 1 in every 20 people will develop kid stones at some point in their lives. Other accompanying symptoms of kidney stones include hematuria, or blood in the urine, and trouble urinating. Major risk factors for kidney stones include continuous dehydration, lack of calcium, high sodium diets, poor nutrition, overweight or obesity, and use of laxatives.
People who develop kidney stones are usually able to pass them through urinating, but it is painful. Because of this, treatment for kidney stones is not invasive and typically includes narcotics for pain relief and increased intake of water (while decreasing caffeine consumption). If you cannot pass the stones through urination, then there are invasive procedures to help. For example, lithotripsy can use sound waves to break the stones into smaller pieces. Or, the stones can be removed through a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
