Kidney Pain

Pain in the kidney area can be an indicator of various kidney conditions, but may not be immediately distinguishable from pain due to problems in other abdominal or pelvic organs.

Though a wide subject area common kidney problems are our speciality and we can assist people of all ages in this matter. Simply contact us for an appointment or speak to your GP.

Symptoms of Kidney Pain

A dull, constant pain in your side, and a sharp pain or discomfort in your back just below the lower ribs, or around your genital area is usually due to a kidney infection, which happens when bacteria passes into and infects one or both of your kidneys. The symptoms of a kidney infection usually develop quite quickly over a few hours or days. Read more at Kidney Infection

Other Symptoms of a Kidney Infection
Kidney infection symptoms when linked with pain include a fever and/or chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy and weakness.

Further symptoms may include cloudy or foul smelling urine, an urgent or frequent need to urinate, a painful or burning sensation when you go, or a feeling that your bladder won’t empty fully – but these symptoms can also indicate cystitis or an infection of the urethra, the tube from the bladder that takes urine out of the body.

Blood in the urine is a sign that you need to see a doctor immediately.

Causes of Kidney Pain

Apart from an infection, kidney pain may also be due to physical injury to the kidneys and surrounding area, to kidney stones or, in a few cases, some serious conditions, including kidney cancer – but they can usually be treated, so it is important to seek help and not ignore the symptoms.

Treatment of a Kidney Infection

Kidney infection symptoms respond well to swift treatment with prescribed antibiotics that will help to prevent further symptoms or complications to develop.

When symptoms start, you are recommended to drink plenty of water, to help wash out bacteria. You should also immediately avoid alcohol and other harmful substances, such as drugs or tobacco, to avoid damaging your kidneys further.

Diagnosis of Kidney Pain

After a physical examination and questions about your health history (especially any recent persistent urinary tract infections), you will need to undergo a series of tests, starting with urinalysis and a blood test. To diagnose kidney stones and some more serious conditions, a CT scan and an MRI scan may be required: these machines both make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

Treatment of Kidney Pain

Kidney pain symptoms due to infection respond well to swift treatment with prescribed antibiotics that will help to prevent further symptoms or complications to develop.

Surgery
If a serious complication occurs, surgery to remove some or all of one kidney may be necessary, possibly by keyhole surgery. Read more at keyhole laparoscopic nephrectomy

A healthy, normal life can be lived with one kidney.