Flank Pain – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Flank pain

Flank pain can range from an uncomfortable stitch in your side during exercise to the excruciating pain of kidney disease . There are many causes and they must be determined by an exact diagnosis. There are many treatment options for eliminating flank pain, in which the focus can either be on treating the symptoms, for example by administering painkillers, or treating the cause, for example by crushing kidney stones.

What is flank pain?

The flanks are the two rear, lateral abdominal regions between the navel area and the lumbar area. Flank pain can occur on one or both sides. There are many nerves and blood vessels in the flank area , which makes them particularly sensitive to pain. Problems with various internal organs can also manifest themselves as flank pain.

Due to the high density of nerves, flank pain can reach a high intensity and be difficult for the sufferer to bear. The pain can be stabbing, dull or cramp-like, it can occur spontaneously or persist for a long time with the same intensity.

causes

There are many different causes that can trigger pain in the flank area. Probably the most harmless and well-known cause of flank pain is physical exertion, which can lead to so-called side stitches.Pain in this region very often means an acute inflammation of the kidneys or kidneys, which is accompanied by severe, cramping pain in the kidney area. Such kidney problems often develop from untreated urinary tract infections. Kidney or ureter stones can also be the cause of flank pain.

Kidney cancer rarely causes symptoms in the early stages, but as it progresses it can cause severe flank pain. Problems with the back muscles can also make themselves felt through pain in the flank area. Typical diseases that can show such symptoms include scoliosis, herniated discs or generally unfavorable movements.

Infections such as shingles can also lead to flank problems. In addition, problems with internal organs such as the intestines or the gallbladder can manifest themselves as flank pain because the pain radiates to the side.

Diseases

  • kidney cancer

When to the doctor?

Flank pain often occurs after long runs, sprints or physical exertion. In most cases, the symptoms are due to improper breathing. There is no need to consult a doctor as the pain subsides completely within a few minutes if you breathe slowly and calmly. In the future, attention should be paid to the correct breathing technique so that the flank pain does not occur again. If the symptoms appear even without any sporting or physical activity, a doctor’s visit is necessary.

If the flank pain persists for several hours or days, a doctor should also be consulted. Further investigations are necessary if the symptoms continue to increase in intensity or the pain spreads. Severe, spontaneously occurring flank pain should be evaluated immediately by a medical professional. There may be organic problems that need to be clarified. If you also have problems urinating , you should consult a doctor. Urinary tract infections are possible and treatment must be initiated.

If there is pain or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen, ulcers or tumors may have formed. Imaging procedures provide information and more detailed information about the cause. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted as soon as an additional pain sensation occurs. If there are changes in the excretions, a doctor must be consulted. They include discoloration or the amount of urine excreted.

diagnosis and course

In order to be able to treat the pain, of course, a correct diagnosis must first be made. After the anamnesis, the treating doctor can in most cases make a suspected diagnosis and then carry out further examinations. This includes, for example, an ultrasound of the kidneys or the creation of a blood count . In order to secure or reject his original diagnosis, the doctor taps the kidneys if he suspects a kidney infection ; if this is painful, this is a first confirmation of the diagnosis.

A urine test should also be carried out if there is flank pain, as there may be a bladder infection, which is now leading to kidney problems. If none of these examinations lead to a clear result, imaging methods such as computed tomography can also help. If internal causes can be ruled out, a precise examination of the musculoskeletal system is necessary.

complications

Flank pain can have various organic causes that have various complications. Most often, these are caused by urinary tract infections, which usually heal without complications. In some cases, if the infection is left untreated, the pathogen can spread over the entire organism ( sepsis ) and thus lead to multiple organ damage. This is usually fatal if not treated adequately. In addition, an infection of the kidneys can lead to kidney failure (renal insufficiency). The body can then no longer excrete enough toxins, resulting in uremia. In addition, not enough liquid is excreted, so that there is also increased blood pressure (hypertension).

Urinary stones also cause flank pain. These increase the risk of kidney infection and thus the risk of kidney failure. In addition to the kidneys, inflammation of the stomach ( gastritis ) can also cause typical flank pain. Consequences can be the development of an ulcer (Ulcus ventriculi). There is also an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. This can lead to severe internal bleeding, which can lead to anemia.

Inflammation of the gallbladder can also spread to the liver and cause an abscess there. A feared complication is the rupture of the gallbladder and spread of the infection in the abdomen, resulting in bilious peritonitis. A gallstone can also narrow the intestinal lumen and lead to an intestinal blockage (ileus).

treatment and therapy

The therapy depends on the trigger of the flank pain. Inflammation of the renal pelvis is treated with antibiotics . If there are kidney or ureteral stones, the first thing to do is to treat them with pain-relieving medication and to drink plenty of fluids.If this approach is unsuccessful and the pain persists, the stones must be broken up using shock waves. If a kidney tumor is present, surgical removal is unavoidable in most cases. Surgery is also necessary for recurring colic due to gallstones, in such cases the gallbladder is usually removed.

If an infection is the reason for the flank pain, a therapy with antibiotics is usually prescribed by the doctor. If problems with the musculoskeletal system are the cause of the pain, an orthopedist should be consulted and, under certain circumstances, physiotherapy should be started. If the reason for the symptoms is superficial, i.e. due to bruises or sprains , special ointments or gels can help. Massages and heat or cold therapies can also help.

outlook and prognosis

In most cases, flank pain indicates kidney or bladder disease. Unfortunately, the general course cannot be predicted, as this usually depends heavily on the underlying disease. As a rule, other internal organs can also hurt and thus lead to flank pain. The liver , intestines and bile are also affected, so that this pain can spread. As a rule, a doctor should be consulted if the flank pain persists for a long time and does not go away on its own.

A herniated disc can also lead to flank pain. In this case, treatment is necessary to limit this pain. Self-healing usually does not occur. A stitch in the side can also occur in addition to the flank pain and continue to restrict the quality of life of those affected. Comprehensive treatment is also necessary for inflammation of the kidneys or bladder in order to avoid a serious course. As a rule, the treatment takes place with the help of medication or surgical interventions, which alleviate the pain and thus lead to a positive prognosis.

prevention

In order to prevent a urinary tract infection, care should be taken to ensure good personal hygiene. But it can also be helpful for women to urinate after intercourse to flush out any bacteria that may have entered. A drinking quantity of two liters a day can lead to the flushing out of possible bacteria and should therefore be adhered to. In some cases, changing the contraceptive method can also be helpful for female sufferers. Furthermore, people who easily suffer from a urinary tract infection should avoid cold and wet conditions.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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