Kidney pain can be sudden and unexpected, and it often occurs in your back, below your ribs. It can be mistaken for regular back pain, but it’s usually more intense and deeper, isn’t it?
The pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including kidney stones, infections, and hydronephrosis. Each of these conditions has its own specific symptoms that can help identify the cause.
Of course, fever, changes in urination, and that persistent pain are symptoms you should be aware of. In fact, studies show that 12% of people will develop kidney stones at some point in their lives.
In addition, urinary tract infections, which can cause kidney pain, affect millions of people each year, with women being more susceptible.
That’s why we will show you how to use this kidney pain location chart, identify each and every pain part and cause, and diagnose potential kidney problems.
What is Kidney Pain
Kidney pain is felt in the back, under the ribs and on either side of the spine. This pain is usually in the middle of the back, just under the ribcage, on each side of the spine. It can be felt in the flank area which is the part of your back that lies on either side of the spine, below the ribs. Sometimes it can be on both sides of the body.
When your kidneys hurt it feels like a dull ache that gets worse with gentle pressure. This type of pain can be constant or intermittent and can range from mild to severe.
Most people feel kidney pain at the same level as the kidney but sometimes it can radiate to other areas like the lower abdomen or groin.
Kidney Pain vs Back Pain
Kidney pain is often mistaken for back pain because they’re close to each other in the body. But kidney pain is deeper and higher up in the back, just under the ribs compared to back pain which is lower down.
Kidney pain can be in the sides, back, abdomen or groin area whereas back pain is usually in the lower back.
Here are the key differences between kidney pain vs back pain:
- Kidney pain is deeper and higher up in the back, under the ribs.
- It doesn’t change with movement, unlike back pain which gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods.
- It can be severe or mild, back pain is usually a throbbing ache due to muscle strain.
Kidney pain usually comes with other symptoms like fever, nausea or changes in urination which are not common with back pain.
Kidney Pain Location Chart
Our Kidney Pain Location Chart is designed to help you pinpoint where discomfort may be originating. Kidney pain can show up in the lower back in different spots: left, right, central, or sacral regions.
- Left Lower Back Pain: This is often linked to kidney issues or muscle strains.
- Right Lower Back Pain: While it could indicate kidney problems on the right side, it’s also worth considering other causes, such as muscle strain or other organ issues.
- Central Lumbar Pain: Pain in this area could suggest issues like disc herniation or spinal stenosis.
- Sacral Region Pain: Pain near the base of your spine and hips may be associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which can cause sharp or aching sensations.
How to Use Our Kidney Pain Location Chart
A visual kidney pain location chart can be very helpful in pinpointing the exact location of kidney pain in relation to other body parts. Kidney pain is usually felt in the back, side and abdomen, near the spine or just under the ribcage. It can also radiate to the lower abdomen and groin area.
When you have kidney pain it can be sharp, dull or cramping pain which is different from general back pain. In kidney stones the pain is usually localized to the side and back, in kidney infections it’s flank pain.
Using a visual kidney pain location chart guide can help you differentiate between kidney pain and other types of pain. For example kidney pain is higher up in the back and is constant whereas muscle pain can change with movement. And if you have fever or changes in urination with localized pain it’s more likely kidney issue than muscle strain.
Moreover, with this chart you can explain your symptoms to your healthcare professional and get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Kidney Pain
Kidney pain can be caused by many health conditions including kidney stones, kidney infections and other kidney diseases. Each condition has its own symptoms and treatment.
In fact, research shows that nearly 1 in 10 people will develop kidney stones at some point in their lives. Moreover, 26 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease.
The following are common causes of kidney pain, kidney stones, infections, polycystic kidney disease, urinary tract infections, hydronephrosis.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts formed inside the kidneys. They occur when waste products in the blood clump together in the kidneys. They can be small or large, from grains to big stones that can obstruct the urinary tract.
When you have a kidney stone the pain is excruciating. It’s felt in the flank or lower back and can radiate to the lower abdomen and groin.
Besides the severe pain other symptoms may include nausea and hematuria (blood in urine). Small kidney stones can pass on their own but larger stones may require medical intervention to remove them.
Kidney Infections
Kidney infections also known as pyelonephritis usually cause mild pain in the back or side. Women are more prone to kidney infections due to their body structure. These infections occur when bacteria from the bladder travel up to the kidneys.
Also , symptoms include fever, chills and frequent urination. The pain is often described as a dull ache and can be accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever and chills. If left untreated kidney infections can lead to more serious health problems including kidney damage.
Antibiotics are given to treat the infection and it’s important to finish the full treatment to get rid of the infection completely.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition where fluid filled cysts form in the kidneys. These cysts can grow over time and cause symptoms including pain in the back or side. The pain of PKD is often described as episodes of severe pain.
PKD symptoms usually appear in the later stages when the cysts have grown bigger. Besides pain other symptoms may include high blood pressure, kidney infections and blood in the urine. As the condition progresses it can lead to kidney damage and eventually kidney failure.
Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection can cause kidney pain especially if it becomes a kidney infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria from the bladder travel up to the kidneys.
As you can see, symptoms of UTI include pain or discomfort while urinating, bloody or cloudy urine and pain in the flank area.
If left untreated a UTI can travel from the bladder to the kidneys and cause renal pain and more serious health problems. Women are more prone to UTIs which can cause kidney pain if not treated immediately.
Treating a UTI involves antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria causing the infection. Finishing the full treatment prevents the infection from coming back or getting worse.
Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis occurs when urine does not drain properly from the kidneys and they swell. This condition can be caused by various factors including blockages in the urinary tract or bladder problems.
Symptoms of hydronephrosis include sharp pain in the sides, back or abdomen and changes in urination.
Hydronephrosis can affect one kidney (unilateral) or both kidneys (bilateral) and can be of varying severity. Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests like ultrasounds to visualize the swelling and identify any blockages in the urinary tract.
Read More: Lower Back Pain Diagnosis Chart : Your Guide to Location Chart
Symptoms
When you have kidney pain you may notice other symptoms accompanying the pain. Common symptoms include fever, nausea and changes in urination. These symptoms can give you clues about the underlying cause of the kidney pain and guide diagnosis and treatment.
Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Fever and chills, kidney infection possible.
- Pain that goes to the sides, back, belly or groin.
- Episodes of severe pain as the condition progresses.
When to See a Doctor
If kidney pain is accompanied by fever, chills or persistent nausea and vomiting, seek medical attention. Uncontrolled kidney pain that prevents you from doing your daily activities also needs immediate evaluation.
Urgent symptoms that need medical attention are uncontrolled pain, severe nausea or vomiting, fevers or chills, inability to urinate. If you see blood in your urine with kidney pain, contact a doctor. Unusual or urgent need to urinate especially if it’s with kidney pain also needs a doctor’s visit.
Urgent symptoms that need medical attention:
- uncontrolled pain
- severe nausea or vomiting
- fevers or chills
- inability to urinate
- blood in your urine
- unusual or urgent need to urinate, especially with kidney pain
Contact a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Having a general feeling of being sick or tired with kidney pain is another reason to see a doctor. If kidney pain is accompanied by inability to urinate or severe back pain, get evaluated as soon as possible.
Kidney Pain Diagnosis
Diagnosing kidney pain is difficult because of the muscles, bones and other organs surrounding the kidneys.
But certain symptoms will need medical attention like pain centered on the kidney, signs of kidney infection or kidney stones. Medical evaluation usually involves a doctor consultation where the doctor will assess your symptoms and overall condition.
Healthcare professionals use various diagnostic methods including physical exam and CT scans to determine the cause of kidney pain. Diagnostic imaging tests like ultrasounds and blood tests are needed to visualize the kidneys and evaluate kidney function. In some cases MRI scans may be used if needed.
Treatment
It depends on the basic cause which can be infections, stones or other kidney problems. Consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice on what treatment to use for your condition.
Common medications for kidney pain are Paracetamol for basic pain relief and Acetaminophen which is safe when used responsibly. NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems as it may cause kidney damage.
In some cases surgery may be needed to remove large kidney stones or severe kidney problems. This may involve removing the affected part of the kidney or the entire kidney if the damage is extensive.
Read More: Kidney Stone Urgent Care: When to Go
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, you can take a proactive approach by knowing the symptoms and differentiating kidney pain from other pains. The most common causes of kidney pain are kidney stones, kidney infections, polycystic kidney disease, UTIs and hydronephrosis.
Therefore, if you experience persistent or severe kidney pain, you must seek medical attention.
As you can see, these steps can make a difference.
