Definition
Pain in the area of the kidney(s) can have various causes. First, however, it must be clarified whether the pain actually originates from the kidneys, as back pain can often be interpreted as kidney pain. Depending on the intensity, duration and nature of the accompanying symptoms, the general practitioner should be consulted in order to possibly initiate further diagnostic measures.
Causes of pain in the kidney area
Pain in the kidney area does not always actually come from the kidney. A much more common cause is back pain that radiates to the flanks. The causes of back pain can be muscular tension, degenerative changes (age-related wear and tear), bone fractures (vertebral body fractures), disc disease or even malignant processes.
If the pain is actually caused by a disease of the kidney or the urinary tract, various diseases can be considered as causes. Probably the most common cause of pain in the area of the kidney and the urinary tract are kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Kidney stones usually only cause pain when they leave the kidney and enter the ureter.
Large stones cannot easily run off with the urine through the ureter but get stuck. The muscles of the ureter work against this and try to transport the stone further. This leads to very strong colicky pain.
So the pain comes in waves. Depending on the height of the ureter and how fast the stone travels, the pain is first localized in the area of the flanks, later in the area of the lower abdomen up to the groin and shortly before the stone enters the bladder in the genital region. Another cause of pain in the kidney area is inflammation of the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis).
It is accompanied by dull, oppressive pain, usually in the area of only one renal bed. In addition, the general condition is usually significantly reduced, high fever occurs, often accompanied by chills. The reason for an inflammation of the renal pelvis is bacteria that have risen up the urethra, ureter and bladder to the kidneys.
Inflammation of the renal pelvis often results from an untreated inflammation of the bladder. Another disease of the kidneys is glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). Here there are many different subforms.
Pain is a rather rare symptom, but can occur. Glomerulonephritis can be accompanied by water retention (edema), especially in the area of the legs, but also on the eyelids, elevated blood pressure values and blood admixture to the urine (hematuria). Cysts that can grow in the kidney tissue (renal cysts) also cause pain.
Often, however, such cysts are completely asymptomatic and are noticed by chance on ultrasound or other imaging. If there are very many or particularly large cysts, pain and functional impairment of the kidneys may occur. Cancers of the kidney (renal cell carcinomas) can also be accompanied by pain.
In most cases, however, these diseases only become noticeable through pain at a significantly advanced stage. In a classic bladder infection, the pain is not located in the kidney area but in the area of the lower abdomen and urethra. They then occur mainly as burning pain during urination. This might also be of interest to you: Causes of kidney pain
