Treatment of left flank pain
The treatment of flank pain on the left also depends on the cause: 1) Skin: Inflammation of the skin is treated locally with creams or ointments, or with antibiotics if the cause is bacterial. Shingles is treated with painkillers and Aciclovir, an antiviral drug. 2) Musculoskeletal system: The therapy of flank pain on the left side, which is caused by the spine, is performed by an orthopedic surgeon.
Vertebral joint arthrosis is treated with painkillers and sufficient exercise, scoliosis is treated with corset therapy and possibly surgical procedures. Tensions caused by incorrect posture are counteracted with posture therapy, which can be achieved, for example, through physiotherapy. 3) Kidney: Inflammation of the renal pelvis is treated with antipyretic drugs and antibiotics, which are taken via the vein or as tablets, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease.
In most cases, kidney stones find their way into the bladder all by themselves and can be excreted from there. For this reason, anticonvulsant painkillers are administered to kidney stones until the stone or stones have been excreted in the urine. If the stones cannot be excreted, urologists treat kidney stones with ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), in which the stones are shattered into small pieces from outside with the help of shock waves (high-energy sound waves).
Kidney tumors are usually treated by surgery, in advanced stages radiation and chemotherapy may be necessary. 4) Infections: An enlarged spleen caused by malaria responds well to treatment with special anti-malarial drugs. If a viral disease (Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus) is the cause, treatment is usually symptomatic. In special cases, however, the cytomegalovirus can be combated with ganciclovir.
When should I go to the doctor with flank pain?
Many of the causes of flank pain are harmless and temporary. These can be distinguished from serious causes and serious diseases. A first criterion for a medical clarification of the symptoms is the severity of the symptoms. If the pain is unbearably bad, has been going on for several days without interruption or recurs repeatedly, a medical diagnosis should be made. Mild pain, on the other hand, can recede within a few days and often offers no reason for a medical consultation.
