Symptoms

Typical for an involvement of the left kidneys are, as generally for the kidneys, the typical so-called flank pains. These manifest themselves as dull, pressing pain in the rear upper abdomen or in the middle area of the back. These flank pains are also called “knocking pain” because the pain increases when the examiner taps the left back with the flat edge of his hand from the pelvis upwards.

Both increased and decreased urination may be pathological and indicate damage to the kidneys. The color of the urine should ideally be almost clear. Brown or red discoloration or even foaming urine should always be reported to the doctor.

Inflammation of the renal pelvis (=pyelonephritis), is usually accompanied by inflammation of the bladder (=cystitis) and manifests itself in frequent, painful urination with accompanying kidney pain. A doctor should be consulted urgently at the latest when a fever occurs. A renal colic of the left kidney manifests itself with regularly recurring severe pain in the left kidney.

The cause is the so-called kidney stones, which the body tries to get out of the body with the help of regular muscle movements through the ureter. Kidney pain on the left in combination with nausea can be a sign of a renal pelvic inflammation (pyelonephritis). This can be caused either by an ascending urinary tract infection or by a restriction in the flow of urine.

This can be caused by stones in the ureter or in the renal pelvis itself. Due to the backflow of urine, the renal pelvis provides a good environment for bacteria that can lead to inflammation. Inflammation of the renal pelvis is often accompanied by a relatively poor general condition.

Fever, fatigue, headaches and nausea up to vomiting frequently occur. In addition, renal colics, such as those caused by kidney stones, can cause so much pain that those affected complain of nausea. Here, the kidney pain is very strong and has a wave-like pain pattern.

This means that they increase in intensity and become more bearable again. Respiratory kidney pain can occur because the position of the diaphragm changes during breathing and can press on the kidneys depending on the breathing phase. When breathing in, the diaphragm moves downwards and can cause pain through contact with the kidney if there is an existing inflammation of the kidney or renal pelvis.

In addition, breath-dependent pain can be accompanied by a urinary flow disorder and can be caused, for example, by a kidney stone or a ureteral stone. Our kidneys lie in the so-called “kidney bed” just below the diaphragm, at the level of the first and second lumbar vertebrae. Altogether, one distinguishes three parts: Since the diaphragm and the renal bed are in close spatial contact with each other, our kidneys move indirectly by several centimeters during breathing.

These passive movements, caused by raising and lowering of the diaphragm, can lead to breath-dependent pain, for example, in left-sided kidney disease. Especially when coughing, the diaphragm moves strongly up and down and can therefore lead to severe kidney pain. It is interesting to know that only the kidney capsule is permeated by nerve fibers. So if we feel pain, the capsule is always responsible.

Organ capsule: Thin capsule of connective tissue, which lies directly on the kidneys.
Kidney fat pads: fat storage with padding function for the sensitive organs
Renal fascia: Surrounds kidney fat pads and in combination with diaphragm