How is kidney pain treated?
Kidney pain treatment depends on the condition that’s causing it. For example, if you have kidney pain due to an infection, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics. If you have kidney pain due to stones, then you may need to have treatment to remove them.
What tests can help determine the cause of kidney pain?
In order to pinpoint a cause, a number of tools are available to help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis:
- Urinalysis: This test checks for the presence of blood, white blood cells (which would point to an infection), proteins and certain molecules that are linked to various kidney disorders.
- Imaging tests: Ultrasound or a CT (computed tomography) scan can provide images of the physical structure of the kidneys and urinary tract. It can also tell your healthcare provider if stones are present and determine if urine flow is adequate.
What should I do if my kidneys hurt?
If you have kidney pain that doesn’t go away, the first thing you should do is call your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment or go to the emergency room if you have symptoms such as uncontrolled pain, severe nausea or vomiting, fevers or chills, or an inability to pee. In the meantime, here are some things you can do to ease discomfort:
- Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help flush bacteria from your urinary tracts. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol.
- Use heat. Place a heating pad on your back, abdomen or side to help reduce kidney pain.
- Take pain relievers. To ease fever or discomfort, take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (unless you have known liver or kidney damage and are not supposed to use these medications).
What drinks are bad for the kidneys?
In general, water is the best. Drinks that are high in sugar can lead to diabetes and those with lots of salt or caffeine can cause dehydration, both of which can lead to kidney damage over time.
FAQs
A note from Cleveland Clinic
How long should I wait to see a doctor for kidney pain? ›
Call your health care provider right away if you feel constant, dull, one-sided pain in your back or side. Ask for a same-day appointment if you also: Have fever, body aches and fatigue. Had a recent urinary tract infection.
How do you know if kidney pain is serious? ›
Once your doctor knows the cause, they can find the right treatment for you. Talk to your doctor about any kidney pain that does not go away or comes with symptoms such as fever, blood in your pee, or pain when you pee.
What can be mistaken for kidney pain? ›
Dull or sharp pain in the low back (often confused for kidney pain) is more likely due to a muscle pull, spinal issue, such as sciatica, or an injury.
What will the ER do for kidney pain? ›
If you visit the ER, there are a few ways the doctor can help you. First, the ER doctor will give you medication to control your pain and vomiting. The ER doctor might also place an IV to make sure you are hydrated. The ER doctor can also use imaging scans to find the kidney stone and size it.
When not to ignore kidney pain? ›
If you suddenly experience severe kidney pain, with or without blood in your urine, you should seek emergency medical care. Sudden, severe pain can often be a sign of a blood clot or haemorrhage, and you should be evaluated immediately.
Why is my kidney pain not going away? ›
It may be a sign of an infection, injury or another health problem, such as kidney stones. Because of where your kidneys are in your body, kidney pain is also often confused with back pain. Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing your kidney pain and to find the right treatment.
What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney? ›
Symptoms
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Sleep problems.
- Urinating more or less.
- Decreased mental sharpness.
- Muscle cramps.
Dehydration (when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work as it should) Kidney cysts (fluid-filled pouches that form on or in the kidneys) Kidney stones (Hard buildups of minerals and salt that form inside the kidneys.) Kidney trauma, which could be caused by an accident, a fall or contact sports.
When should you go to the ER for a kidney infection? ›
If treated promptly, a kidney infection shouldn't cause serious harm. If you experience a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, pain, are unable to drink or take oral medication along with some of the other symptoms, get to the nearest urgent care or ER.
Sleeping on Your Side: Sleeping on your side is another suitable option for kidney patients. It helps improve blood flow, which can better the kidney functions. It is recommended to sleep on your left side to promote optimal blood circulation which will help reduce the workload on kidneys.
Is kidney pain worse when lying down? ›
Often, the pain worsens at night, disrupting sleep. The correct sleeping position can alleviate the pain and help the stones pass quickly, but the best position to lay with kidney stones varies from person to person.
How do I know if my back pain is kidney or muscular? ›
Time. The timeline is another way to distinguish back pain from kidney pain. Back pain can come and go and can be triggered by certain movements like bending over or sitting up. Pain associated with the kidneys on the other hand generally remains dull and stable and is usually not changed with movement.
Do they hospitalize you for kidney infection? ›
Treatment at hospital
Most children with a kidney infection will be treated in hospital. Hospital treatment may also be needed if: you're severely dehydrated. you're unable to swallow or keep down any fluids or medicines.
How long should you leave kidney pain? ›
Most people who are diagnosed and treated promptly with antibiotics feel completely better after about 2 weeks. People who are older or have underlying conditions may take longer to recover. If your symptoms show no sign of improvement 24 hours after treatment starts, contact a GP for advice.
How long should kidney pain last? ›
Untreated, the pain may last for 4 to 12 hours, but most patients have presented to the emergency room by the time the pain becomes continuous, usually by two hours into the colic.
At what point should you see a kidney specialist? ›
You should see a nephrologist if you have any symptoms of kidney disease. Signs of kidney disease may include: Biological family history of kidney disease. If one of your direct genetic (biological) relatives has kidney disease, you may be at greater risk of kidney disease.
When should I go to the hospital for kidney back pain? ›
Symptoms of a kidney infection include a dull, aching pain in your back, side, or stomach, urgent and painful urination, fever, and chills. See a doctor if you're experiencing any of these symptoms.
