I have pain in my back on one side where I think my kidneys are, help! – Dr Jeff answers your health questions

DR Jeff Foster is The Sun on Sunday’s resident doctor and is here to help YOU.

Dr Jeff, 43, splits his time between working as a GP in Leamington Spa, Warks, and running his clinic, H3 Health, which is the first of its kind in the UK to look at hormonal issues for both men and women.

Dr Jeff Foster is The Sun on Sunday’s resident doctor and is here to help you

See h3health.co.uk and email at [email protected].

Q) FOR several weeks I have had pains in my back on one side where I think my kidneys are.

I had a blood test and was told there was nothing to follow up, but I’m still in pain.

If I take a couple of days off it seems to ease slightly so I’m not sure if that means it could be muscular or even stress-related.

Getting an appointment with my doctor is tricky.

But should I try to go back?

John Leslie, Durham

A) Most kidney problems do not present pain in the lower back.

Most kidney disease is silent or may present with a change in urinary function, such as pain on passing, frothy urine, or some other change in flow or consistency.

That said, some kidney conditions certainly do present with pain in the back, the most common of which is kidney stones.

These usually occur due to the build-up of small amounts of calcium deposits forming hard lumps.

If this stone moves it can be excruciating, especially when urinating.

Many people with kidney stones have normal blood tests and diagnosis is made by a combination of urine testing and scanning.

So, go back to your doctor, make sure your urine is checked and get a proper examination.

It might just be mechanical back pain, and nothing related to your kidneys, but the only way you will know is a proper diagnosis.

Q) My 92-year-old mum has been experiencing pain and ice cold knees for about three years.

Endless visits to her doctor have proved fruitless.

She cries in pain and uses hot water bottles or wears heated knee pads but neither really works.

We think it is due to her inactivity.

Can you offer any advice?

Jane Coombes, Bournemouth

A) The sensation of cold limbs, specifically hands, feet and even knees as we age is not uncommon.

As we get older, our metabolism slows down, we become less active, our brown fat stores decline, and our hormone production (oestrogen, testosterone and growth hormone), also decrease.

This has a knock-on effect on how warm we feel.

Interestingly, medications such as warfarin and other blood thinners can also give the sensation of cold limbs.

If there is no medical cause for your mother’s symptoms, and your doctor has ruled these out, the best treatment is to try and have some movement and activity, as more muscle and metabolic stimulation will help preserve joints and make her feel warmer.