Kidney Pain

Kidney pain is often mistaken for back pain in those who have never experienced kidney pain before.

Pain from a kidney infection is usually located in the area of the back to the sides of the spine, just above the hips. Kidney pain often presents as tenderness in this area.

Kidney pain is also deceptive because it can radiate to other parts of the body. It usually has a very rapid onset, and ends when the kidney infection goes away. Back pain from trauma to the back doesn't typically go away as quickly. 

Usually, there are signs that make it easy to tell the difference between the pain from a kidney infection and back trauma. Symptoms from a kidney infection, for example, may also include pain with urination, fever, chills and blood may also be seen be seen in the urine by the naked eye or by laboratory analysis of the urine.

Kidney stone pain usually appears first in the back or "flank" on either side of the body (depending on which kidney has developed a stone). Someone suffering pain from a kidney stone usually feels a sharp, cramping discomfort in the back and side or in the lower abdomen. Later, pain may spread to the groin. As the stone moves toward the bladder, a person may feel an increased need to urinate, or a burning sensation when urinating.

Severe kidney stone pain may last a few minutes...or it may go on for hours as the stone moves and irritates the lining of the urinary tract or blocks the flow of urine. Then, for no apparent reason, the pain stops and may not come back for hours--or days. If the stone is too big to pass, the muscles in the wall of the tiny ureter strain to squeeze the stone along into the bladder.

During an attack of kidney stone pain, there may be nausea and vomiting.

For more information, click on kidney stones causes, kidney stone treatment and kidney stone symptoms. We also have information kidney stone removal surgery.
 

 
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