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What's Causing Your Kidney Pain—and When Should You See A Doctor?

Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD

The kidneys are an important part of your urinary system and have several important functions. They work to remove waste products and excess liquids from the body, balance the charged particles (known as electrolytes) in your blood, and help regulate your blood pressure.

Your kidneys are located just below your ribcage on both sides of your spine. Because of their location and the type of nerves involved, kidney pain often feels like it is coming from the upper back or sides of your back. But sometimes it isn't always obvious whether the pain you're experiencing is due to a kidney-related condition or another cause. During your diagnostic process, your healthcare provider can help you understand the underlying cause of your symptoms.

It's worth noting that some kinds of kidney problems are painless. However, some kidney conditions, like a kidney infection, do cause pain. If you're experiencing kidney pain, it's important to seek treatment right away to reduce your risk of developing long-lasting kidney damage.

Potential Causes of Kidney Pain

The two most common causes of kidney pain are kidney infections and kidney stones—both of which cause acute renal injury. An acute renal injury happens when your kidneys become injured suddenly. But, other underlying problems can also cause you to feel pain in and around your kidneys.

Kidney Infection

A bacterial kidney infection (medically known as pyelonephritis) is one of the most common reasons you'll develop pain in your kidneys. Back pain caused by a kidney infection tends to be dull and steady. The area may also hurt if you press on your back or abdomen. Kidney pain due to a kidney infection may occur on one or both sides of your back. It's also possible for the pain to radiate down into your abdomen and groin.

Kidney infections are an advanced type of urinary tract infection that develops when bacteria enter your urinary tract and travel up to your kidneys. With a kidney infection, you'll likely also experience other symptoms alongside pain. These symptoms include:

It's important to note that due to differences in anatomy, people assigned female at birth are more likely to develop kidney infections more often than their male counterparts.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can also cause pain in the upper back or on the sides of your back. It's also common for the pain to radiate from the upper back down to the abdomen and groin. While kidney infections are more common in assigned females, people assigned male at birth have a higher likelihood of developing kidney stones.

In many cases, kidney stones don't cause any pain until they move through the ureters—the tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder. When the stones get stuck or squeezed inside the ureters, you'll likely experience pain, nausea, and blood in the urine when you pee.

The pain from a kidney stone can be sharp and very severe—sometimes even enough to wake you from your sleep. The intense pain can come and go as the stone(s) moves along the urinary tract. This on-and-off pattern is medically called renal colic. While less common, a kidney stone can also lead to a kidney infection, causing more pain, fever, and chills.

Other Causes

While kidney stones and kidney infections are the most common causes of acute kidney injuries, pain can also occur due to the following:

Regardless of the exact cause, an acute kidney injury can affect how well your kidneys function. In most cases, your kidney function will completely return to normal after the health condition that is causing your symptoms resolves. But in more severe cases, some degree of kidney damage may be permanent.

It's worth noting that certain factors can increase your risk of developing an acute kidney injury—and therefore, experiencing kidney pain. These risk factors include:

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you have any suspicion that you're experiencing kidney pain, it's important to seek medical care promptly. It's essential you contact your healthcare provider or visit an emergency room if your pain accompanies symptoms like persistent vomiting, fever, rash, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath. Getting proper treatment in a timely manner is the best way to prevent long-term damage to your kidneys.

If you've had mild upper back or side pain for a while but without additional symptoms, it's still important to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can help evaluate what exactly is causing your pain and inform you about your treatment options.

Getting a Diagnosis

When you go in for your appointment, your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history, current symptoms, and any medication you're taking. They will also perform a physical exam which may involve them pressing on your back, abdomen, and above the groin to assess your pain. It's also standard practice for them to check your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.

In most cases, your medical history and physical exam are enough for your provider to tell whether a problem with your kidneys is causing your pain. For example, if you are an assigned female and have symptoms like frequent urinating, fever, and upper back pain, your provider will likely know that you are experiencing a kidney infection.

However, this doesn't mean that no additional testing is necessary. To confirm their hunch about your diagnosis or learn other important information, your healthcare provider may order a variety of tests, such as:

Blood tests to check your kidney function, electrolyte levels, and complete blood count

Urine tests to look for signs of a urinary tract infection or kidney infection

Imaging tests (such as an ultrasound) to create detailed images of your kidneys to assess any signs of kidney injury or damage

Keep in mind: there may be additional causes of pain around your kidneys that aren't due to an underlying kidney infection, kidney stones, or other kidney injury. During the testing process, your provider will also try to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. These conditions include:

Treatments for Kidney Pain

Once you receive a proper diagnosis of the underlying cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider will recommend certain treatments to help you reduce your pain and improve your quality of life. Treatments for kidney pain can vary a great deal, and will often depend on your exact symptoms and underlying cause.

If you have a kidney infection, antibiotics are the first line of treatment. There are a few options to help treat kidney stones though. For severe kidney stone pain, your provider may recommend pain relievers. Drinking plenty of water can also help you pass kidney stones quickly. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove or dissolve a large kidney stone safely.

You may also need other treatments if your test results show that your kidneys are functioning poorly. Some people may need to temporarily go on dialysis to help improve the function of their kidneys and replace the work their kidneys traditionally do, such as removing waste products and excess fluid.

How to Prevent Kidney Pain

In some cases, kidney pain can happen to due sudden trauma to your kidneys—so it's not always preventable. However, there are several strategies you can implement to lower your risk of developing kidney pain. These prevention methods include:

Drinking plenty of water

Regularly using the bathroom when you have to urinate and after having sex

Wiping from front to back

Managing underlying health conditions that can increase the risk of kidney problems, such as high blood pressure

Living With Kidney Pain

Chronic kidney pain is generally uncommon. In most cases, kidney pain is acute (or, short-term) and usually resolves with proper treatment. However, some conditions can cause chronic kidney pain, such as fluid-filled cysts in your kidneys caused by genetic diseases. Rare disorders like loin pain hematuria syndrome (LPHS) can also cause long-term kidney pain. If you're experiencing chronic kidney pain, your healthcare provider may recommend medication or surgery to treat symptoms.

It's worth noting that chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition, but doesn't always cause pain. Unlike acute kidney injuries, many kidney diseases cause graduate kidney damage, which comes with its own subset of symptoms. It's possible to have advanced kidney disease without having any pain at all. That said, don't use a lack of back pain as a sign about your overall kidney health. If you have any health conditions that increase your risk of kidney disease, it's important to monitor your health with regular visits to your healthcare provider.

A Quick Review

When you experience an acute kidney injury, such as stones, infections, or dehydration, it's common to experience kidney pain that manifests in your upper back and side. If you have kidney pain, it's essential to see your healthcare provider to get the treatment you need to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

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This Bacterial Infection Is Contagious And Can Be Deadly

In Malaysia, the diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DTP) vaccine is given at childhood. — AFP

I heard that diphtheria is making a comeback. I have vaguely heard about it, but am not sure what it is. It seems to be quite obscure, and yet – it is still out there. I heard my grandmother saying it was quite common in her day. What is it?

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which releases toxins.

What To Know About An H. Pylori Infection

H. Pylori is a bacteria that can damage the stomach's protective lining. Untreated, an H.Pylori infection may lead to complications.

H. Pylori is a common type of bacteria that grows in the digestive tract and tends to attack the stomach lining.

It's adapted to live in the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach. The "H" in the name is short for Helicobacter. "Helico" means spiral, which refers to the shape of the bacteria.

It's estimated that up to two-thirds of people worldwide have an H. Pylori infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

H. Pylori often infects a person's stomach during childhood. Infections are typically harmless and don't cause symptoms. However, in some cases, they may lead to stomach ulcers and some diseases.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods for H. Pylori.

Most people with H. Pylori never have symptoms.

However, it's estimated that 30% of people with H. Pylori develop other conditions, such as gastritis and peptic ulcers. This is because the bacteria could damage the inner protective lining of your stomach.

Symptoms of a peptic ulcer from H. Pylori may include:

Although rare, H. Pylori infections may increase your risk of developing stomach cancer. This is due to chronic inflammation caused by the infection. Some symptoms of stomach cancer may include:

It's important to note that many symptoms of stomach cancer, peptic ulcers, and other diseases associated with H. Pylori can be caused by other issues. If you experience any symptoms you're concerned about, talk with a doctor.

It's still not known exactly how H. Pylori infections are transmitted. The bacteria has coexisted with humans for thousands of years.

That said, infections are thought to be transmitted in several ways:

Oral to oral: This may be transmitted through saliva from one person's mouth to another, such as by kissing.

Fecal to oral: Coming into contact with vomit or stool, such as if you don't wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom.

Contaminated water and food: Food and water may be contaminated with feces or other bacteria in unhygienic environments.

Children are more likely to develop an H. Pylori infection than adults. This is largely because children may not always practice proper hygiene.

Your environment and living conditions may also influence your risk for an H. Pylori infection, such as:

living in a developing country

lacking access to clean water

sharing housing with others who've contracted H. Pylori

living in overcrowded conditions

If you have symptoms of a digestive condition, you may need to get tested for H. Pylori. There are several ways to diagnose an H. Pyloriinfection, including:

A healthcare professional may also recommend an endoscopy if the results of the other tests are inconclusive. This allows them to look at your esophagus, stomach lining, and a portion of your small intestine.

H. Pylori infections may lead to peptic ulcers, which could develop into more serious complications. For example:

Internal bleeding may happen when a peptic ulcer breaks through your blood vessels. It can be associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Obstruction may occur when something like a tumor blocks the food from leaving your stomach.

Perforation could happen when an ulcer breaks through your stomach wall.

Peritonitis may develop, which is an infection of the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdominal cavity.

H. Pylori may also increase your risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma, a type of stomach cancer. A 2019 study found this risk is higher among people who smoke, as well as African American, Hispanic, and Asian people.

That said, it's important to note that H. Pylori rarely develops into stomach cancer.

If you have anH. Pylori infection that isn't causing you any problems and you aren't at increased risk of stomach cancer, treatment may not offer any benefits.

A healthcare professional may recommend treatment if you have a family history of stomach cancer or stomach and duodenal ulcers. Treatment can cure an ulcer and help reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer.

Medications

Medications are used to help treat an H. Pylori infection.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, this typically involves a combination of two antibiotics and one proton pump inhibitor (PPI). This treatment is sometimes referred to as triple therapy.

Some drugs that are used to treat an H. Pylori infection include:

Treatment may vary depending on your medical history and if you have allergies to certain medications.

After treatment, you may need a follow-up test for H. Pylori. In most cases, only one round of antibiotics is needed to clear the infection. If that doesn't work, you may need to take other medications.

No vaccine can protect you from H. Pylori. However, practicing healthy habits and hygiene may help prevent infection. These may include:

washing your hands frequently, especially before cooking or eating, or after using the restroom

drinking water from a source you know is safe

avoiding food that hasn't been cleaned properly or cooked safely

Most people with an H. Pylori infection never experience any symptoms or problems related to the bacteria.

If you're experiencing symptoms and receive treatment, your long-term outlook is generally positive.

A doctor will perform tests 4–8 weeks after you finish treatment to see if the medication eradicated the bacteria. You may need to take more than one round of treatment to kill the H. Pylori bacteria.

If you develop another condition associated with an H. Pylori infection, your outlook will depend on the disease, how soon it's diagnosed, and how it's treated. Very few people who get an H. Pylori infection will develop stomach cancer.

What is the number one cause of H. Pylori?

The exact cause of H. Pylori is still unknown. However, it's believed that the bacteria is transmitted orally, or by contact with infected feces, vomit, water, or food.

Can H. Pylori be easily cured?

In most cases, H. Pylori can be cured with a treatment course of antibiotics and PPIs.

Does H. Pylori ever go away?

H. Pylori can only go away with treatment. However, many people live their whole lives with H. Pylori.

Is H. Pylori bacteria contagious?

Yes, H. Pylori is a contagious bacteria. It may be transmitted through contact with infected saliva, stool, vomit, food, or water.

H. Pylori is a bacterial infection that affects the stomach lining of your digestive tract.

Some people live their whole lives without experiencing symptoms, while others may develop health complications like stomach ulcers. In rare cases, it may develop into stomach cancer.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of H. Pylori infection. They can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan that's right for you.

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