Have you ever experienced a sharp pain just under your ribs? And then ignored it thinking it’s just a strain in the rib muscles?

If yes, what you’ve done isn’t right. Because, it could be a kidney pain and indicate certain underlying kidney conditions which you may not be aware of.

Wondering what kidney pain feels like? Confused how to detect if you’re having kidney pain or not?

No worries. We’re there for you.

Kidney pain may occur anytime and potentially indicates an underlying issue within the kidneys. It is important to address kidney pain promptly and seek medical attention.

Mykare Health is here to help you understand all about kidney pain and how to deal with it.

What Is Kidney Pain?

It is common to mistake back pain with kidney pain. So, it is important to know the difference between the two before we get on to kidney pain symptoms.

Kidney pain can feel like a dull or sharp pain in the lower back or sides. It occurs below the ribs and can spread to the abdomen or groin region. Back pain, however, usually occurs on the upper back.

Kidney pain is also severe as compared to back pain and is usually constant.

Types of Kidney Pain

You may not know, there are two kinds of kidney pain. There is acute kidney pain and chronic kidney pain.

Acute kidney pain occurs suddenly and will be intense. It indicates that there is an immediate issue with the kidneys. It could be a urinary tract infection or kidney stones.

Chronic kidney pain is when you experience recurring pain for a longer period. It could indicate an ongoing issue with the kidneys. It can include chronic kidney disease or polycystic kidney disease.

Kidney Pain: What Are The Symptoms?

Wondering what are the signs of kidney pain? Here you go.

• Flank pain: If you experience pain on the lower back and sides, or below the ribcage, it could be kidney pain. The pain will be severe and you may even feel stabbing pain in these regions.

• Pain when urinating: Kidney pain can cause pain during urination. It can be due to conditions such as infections or kidney stones.

• Blood in urine: There will be presence of blood while urinating in some cases. It could suggest problems related with kidneys.

• Colour change in urine: You may also notice colour change in urine if you have kidney issues. The colour can be dark or reddish. It could indicate issues with kidneys or urinary tract.

• Fever and vomiting: Kidney infections may sometimes come with high fever and chills. Kidney stones or infections can also cause vomiting and nausea.

• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can also be a symptom of kidney pain. Chronic kidney issues can lead to high blood pressure in some cases.

• Frequent or decreased urination: Some may experience a frequent urge to urinate and some might experience a reduction in urine passing. Both can be as a result of kidney pain.

Learn More About Kidney Stone Treatment

What Are The Causes Of Kidney Pain?

Let’s dive into some of the common causes of kidney pain.

• Kidney stones: Kidney stones are deposits that develop in the kidneys. It results in severe pain. Some small kidney stones may exit the body while urinating. But large ones may remain, causing kidney pain.

• Infections: Kidney infections or pyelonephritis are the bacterial formation in the kidneys. It can cause sharp pain, fever, and nausea. It also causes difficulty urinating.

• Haemorrhage: It is another cause of kidney pain. One may experience bleeding in the kidneys. It can be due to injury and infection in kidneys.

• Hydronephrosis: It is a condition in which the kidneys get swollen. It can be due to the blockage in the urinary tract or urine build up.

• Polycystic kidney disease: This condition can also be a cause of kidney pain. Cysts are developed in the kidneys and damage them. It can lead to extreme pain.

• Kidney cancer: If you have kidney or renal cancer, it will cause swelling in the kidney region. It will lead to severe pain in the lower back or sides.

Treatment Options For Kidney Pain

If you are struggling with kidney pain, be cautious. It is important that you consult a healthcare professional.

Kidney pain can be diagnosed with ultrasound or blood and urine tests. There are several treatment options available to treat kidney pain currently.

• Medications for pain relief: The healthcare professional you consult will recommend appropriate medications. The prescription will be based on your level of pain. It might vary according to individuals.

Drugs such as ibuprofen may also be recommended by your doctor to reduce kidney pain.

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics is the most common treatment method for kidney pain caused due to infections. The medicines will be based on your health and bacteria level in urine.

The pain will get reduced within a few weeks with the help of antibiotics. It is recommended to continue taking antibiotics until complete recovery.

• Surgery: Surgery is suggested when there are recurring kidney infections. It is also done when the kidney stones are larger in size.

Preventive Measures

Certain preventive measures can help you gain kidney health and avoid kidney pain and complications associated with it. Changes in lifestyle and habits can be beneficial for you. It can keep your kidneys healthy as well as help you achieve overall wellbeing.

Some of the preventive measures that can prevent you from kidney pain include:

• Having a balanced diet
• Having adequate hydration
• Going for regular exercise
• Doing weight management
• Managing blood sugar level
• Managing blood pressure
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Avoiding smoking