[59M] Experiencing severe right-side back pain and systemic symptoms

Patient Description

A 59-year-old male reports severe dull pain with pressure on the right side of the back since early morning, which impedes his ability to sit upright or lie down comfortably. The pain severity is rated 8/10. Accompanying symptoms include fatigue, irritability, constant dry mouth, and persistent thirst despite adequate fluid intake. The patient also feels an urge to defecate without relief post bowel movement and experiences foot swelling. Past medical history includes spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, and sciatic pain, with a noted allergy to processed aspirin products. The patient is currently managing pain with ibuprofen 600 mg every 6-8 hours. No other medications are reported.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

Kidney Stones: These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract. Symptoms can include severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs, pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, and pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity.
- Treatment for kidney stones varies depending on the size of the stone and its location. Small stones with minimal symptoms can often be managed with pain medication and drinking lots of water to help pass the stone. For larger stones, more invasive procedures may be necessary.
Musculoskeletal Pain: This is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and bones. The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities. Trauma to an area (jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain.
- Treatment can involve physical therapy, pain medications, and lifestyle modifications.
Dehydration: This occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don't replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated. Symptoms can include extreme thirst, less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness and confusion.
- Treatment for dehydration is to replace lost fluids and lost electrolytes.

What you can do

It would be best to consult a doctor about your symptoms so that they can provide a formal assessment and order relevant tests if necessary. In the meantime, you can try the following:

Drink plenty of fluids: If your symptoms are due to dehydration, drinking water or drinks with electrolytes can help.
Rest: If your symptoms are due to musculoskeletal pain, resting and avoiding strenuous activities may help.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonprescription pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with pain. However, they should be used cautiously as they can have side effects, especially if used for a long period of time.

What you should look out for

Reasons to see a doctor more urgently:

If your pain becomes severe or unbearable
If you develop a fever
If you notice blood in your urine
If you are unable to pass urine
If your symptoms do not improve or worsen

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm an AI and not a doctor. You should consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment.

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11 mo ago

Top picked over-the-counter products for Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea)