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A. People commonly think their back pain comes from their kidney. But it’s more likely that your discomfort is due to muscle spasm or strain or a spine-related problem. The kidneys are located higher than most people realize (see image). So back pain, one of the most common problems that sends people to their doctors, is rarely due to kidney trouble. When pain is related to a kidney issue, not only is the pain higher up in the back, but the symptoms are also different. For instance, a kidney stone that gets lodged in the ureter (the tube that runs from the kidney to the bladder) causes waves of intense pain rather than the steady ache of typical low back pain. And a person with a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) almost always has a fever along with flank pain. If your pain is localized to the area of the kidney as shown in the illustration, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will tap on your flank to see if it is tender. He or she then will likely order a urine test to look for red and white blood cells and a blood test to make sure the kidneys are functioning normally. Based on these results, your doctor might also recommend an ultrasound or CT scan. — Howard LeWine, M.D. Image: © Ingram Publishing/Getty Images As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Kidney pain — also called renal pain — refers to pain from disease or injury to a kidney. You might feel kidney pain or discomfort as a dull, one-sided ache in your upper abdomen, side or back. But pain in these areas is often unrelated to your kidneys. Your kidneys are situated in the back of your abdomen under your lower ribs, one on each side of your spine. People often are surprised at how high their kidneys are. Most conditions that cause kidney pain affect only one kidney. Fever and urinary symptoms often accompany kidney pain. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing
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. Learn about what causes kidney pain, what it feels like, where you may feel it in your body, how to tell kidney pain from back pain and when to talk to your doctor about treatment. Kidney pain can have many causes. It may be a sign of an infection,
injury or another health problem, such as
kidney stones. Because of where your kidneys are in your body, kidney pain is also often confused with back pain. Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing your kidney pain and to find the right
treatment. You feel kidney pain in the area where your kidneys are located: Near the middle of your back, just under your ribcage, on each side of your spine. Your kidneys are part of the urinary tract, the organs that make urine (i.e., pee) and remove it from your body. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. You may feel kidney pain on only one side or both sides of your back.
Having pain in these areas does not always mean there is something wrong with your kidneys. Because there are muscles, bones and other organs around your kidneys, it can be hard to tell what exactly is causing your pain. If you have constant pain you think may be caused by your kidneys, talk to your doctor. Kidney pain often feels like a dull ache that gets worse if someone gently presses on that area. While it is more
common to feel kidney pain on only one side, some health problems may affect both kidneys and cause pain on both sides of your back. Because of where your kidneys are in your body, it is easy to confuse kidney pain and back pain. How can you tell the difference? Kidney pain: Back pain:
What causes kidney pain?Kidney pain has many possible causes. Your doctor can help you find out what is causing your pain and work with you on the best way to treat it. Kidney stonesKidney stones are one of the most common causes of kidney pain. Kidney stones happen when waste that builds up in your blood and sticks together in your kidneys to form clumps. Small kidney stones may move through your urinary tract and come out with your urine. However, larger stones can be very painful to pass, or you may need surgery to have them removed. Urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria in your urinary tract and can cause pain when you urinate. Most UTIs happen in the bladder and the urethra. UTIs can also cause a fever and the need to urinate often. DehydrationDehydration (not having enough water in your body) can sometimes cause kidney pain. Dehydration can happen through sweating a lot, throwing up, diarrhea, urinating too much or certain health conditions such as diabetes. Kidney infectionKidney infections are caused by bacteria that usually spread to your kidneys from another part of your urinary tract, for example, if you have a urinary tract infection. Women are more likely to have kidney infections because of the way their bodies are built. If you think you have a kidney infection, call your doctor — it needs to be treated right away to help prevent kidney damage. Kidney injurySometimes, your kidneys can get hurt, for example if you have a fall or accident or during sports like football, boxing or soccer. Pain from a kidney injury could be mild or very strong, depending on how badly your kidneys are hurt. Kidney injury, also known as kidney trauma or kidney bruising, is different from acute kidney injury. Kidney cancerKidney cancer may not cause any pain or other symptoms early on. As the cancer gets worse, you may notice pain that does not go away in your side, back or belly. You may also have a fever or blood in your urine. However, these symptoms do not always mean you have kidney cancer — many other health problems can also cause these symptoms. Polycystic kidney diseasePolycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition that causes cysts (growths filled with fluid) to grow in your kidneys. These cysts make the kidneys much larger than they should be and can cause pain in your back or side. What are the symptoms of kidney pain?Depending on what is causing your kidney pain, you may have other symptoms as well. Some of these could mean you have a serious kidney problem. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms along with kidney pain:
How is kidney pain treated?The treatment for kidney pain depends on what is causing it. Be sure to call your doctor if you have any kidney pain. Your doctor may do:
Once you know what is causing your pain, your doctor can work with you to find the right treatment. Webinar Pain management and kidney diseaseChronic pain is an unfortunate reality for many people and is even more common for those who have kidney disease. Watch our webinar and learn about pain management strategies and medicines people with kidney disease can safely use to reduce pain. What can cause kidney pain left side?What Causes Left Kidney Pain?. Dehydration.. Infection.. Kidney stones.. Kidney cysts.. Inflammation.. Renal infarction.. Hemorrhage.. What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?Here are three signs that could indicate that you are beginning to experience a decline in kidney function.. Dizziness and Fatigue. One of the first possible signs of weakening kidneys is the experience of overall weakness in yourself and your overall health. ... . Swelling (Edema) ... . Changes in urination.. What organ is on your lower left back?Your kidneys live toward your lower back and can cause pain if infected. However, if you're experiencing kidney stones or a kidney infection, you'll likely have other symptoms, too, including pain when urinating, nausea, or fever.
Why does my lower back kidney area hurt?Kidney pain can have many causes. It may be a sign of an infection, injury or another health problem, such as kidney stones. Because of where your kidneys are in your body, kidney pain is also often confused with back pain.
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Pain in lower left back kidney area
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