Diagnosis

If the pain is persistent and severe, consideration should be given to choosing a family doctor. This doctor can decide on the basis of the patient’s medical history and physical examination what further diagnosis is necessary. Possible further steps would be, for example, taking a blood sample to check the kidney values and the inflammation values and an ultrasound of the abdomen to be able to take a look at the kidneys. An x-ray can also be taken to assess whether the spinal column could be the cause of the symptoms. Examinations such as magnetic resonance tomography or computer tomography are rarely used for outpatient treatment of kidney pain.

Accompanying symptoms

If the kidney pains occur in the context of a simple cold, it is additionally frequent: kidney pains in the context of kidney stones are colicky, so they come and go in waves. Possibly a hematuria occurs here, so there is blood in the urine. As mentioned above, inflammation of the renal pelvis is often accompanied by fever and chills.

If the cause of the pain is a back problem, limited mobility may be added to this.

Limb Pain
Cough
Sniffles
Partially subfebrile temperatures (light fever, 37.5°-38°C)
Lassitude

Pain in the area of the right kidney can be caused by diseases of the gallbladder, for example inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or gallstones (choledocholithiasis), in addition to the above-mentioned causes (back pain, cystitis, cold, kidney stones, inflammation of the renal pelvis). In the case of unilateral kidney pain, the possibility of an inflammation of the renal pelvis must always be considered.

Symptoms can be a knocking pain in the area of the kidney as well as fever and chills. If an inflammation of the renal pelvis is suspected, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Pain in the left kidney can also be caused by the above mentioned causes.

Diseases of the spleen: for example, a rupture of the spleen, the so-called splenic rupture, which usually occurs after a trauma such as a traffic accident or after the use of blunt force
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: for example a stomach ulcer, or an inflammation of the large intestine, the so-called diverticulitis