[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/common-causes-of-flank-pain\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/common-causes-of-flank-pain\/","headline":"3 Most Common Causes of Flank Pain","name":"3 Most Common Causes of Flank Pain","description":"Flank pain can have a myriad of causes, but there are three main culprits: UTIs, kidney stones, and musculoskeletal problems. Learn about their treatments.","datePublished":"2016-01-21","dateModified":"2022-12-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","name":"Urology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/common-causes-of-flank-pain.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/common-causes-of-flank-pain.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/common-causes-of-flank-pain\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Urology"],"wordCount":763,"keywords":["back pain","bladder infection","flank pain","kidney disease","kidney pain","kidney stones","urinary tract","urologist","UTI"],"articleBody":"Back pain is among the top reasons people call their doctors. Pain in your upper back or abdomen and sides, also called flank pain or kidney pain, has numerous causes.What Causes Flank Pain?If you have persistent pain, you should always consult your physician. However, flank pain most commonly results from one of three causes:Urinary tract infection (UTI).Kidney stones.Musculoskeletal problems, such as a muscle strain or pinched nerve.Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)A\u00a0urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria\u00a0that enters the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.Symptoms of a UTIPain in your lower back or abdomen may be a sign of a lower\u00a0UTI, such as an infection in the bladder. Pain in the upper back and kidney area may be a sign of an upper UTI.Other UTI symptoms include:A frequent urge to urinate.Burning when you urinate.Blood in the urine.Fever.UTI Risk FactorsDue to anatomical build, women are at a much higher risk of developing UTIs than men. Outside of biological sex, here are a few factors that can put you at a higher risk of developing a UTI:PregnancyMenopauseSexual activityBirth controlPersonal hygieneUTI treatmentYour primary care doctor or an\u00a0urgent care doctor\u00a0can treat a UTI. You’ll be prescribed an antibiotic, and symptoms should clear up shortly afterward. For recurring or severe UTIs, your doctor may refer you to a urologist.Kidney StonesKidney stones are crystals that form in your urine\u00a0and build up in your kidneys. They cause severe pain.Symptoms of kidney stonesKidney stones cause sudden, severe flank pain that can come in waves. The pain also may radiate down through the groin. The pain continues as the stone travels through the ureters, the bladder, and out the urethra if it’s small enough.You also may experience:Blood in the urine.Nausea or vomiting.Painful urination.Kidney Stone Risk FactorsKidney stones can cause intense and radiating flank pain. Here are the factors that can increase your risk of developing kidney stones:Dehydration.High-sodium diet.Family history of kidney stones.Obesity.Chronic UTIs.Kidney Stone PreventionThe kidneys are your body’s filters. The waste from your kidneys travels out of your body through urine. One of the best ways to prevent common kidney problems is to drink plenty of water. This helps keep the filtering process running smoothly.Kidney Stones TreatmentFor small stones, you can take pain medications and drink lots of water until the stone passes. Your doctor also may prescribe a medication to help you pass the stone if you have trouble passing it on your own.Large stones that cannot fit through the urinary tract need to be removed by surgery or lithotripsy, a procedure that breaks apart large stones into small pieces that can pass.Musculoskeletal ProblemsWhat is Musculoskeletal Pain?Sometimes, flank pain can be traced to a musculoskeletal problem. Muscle-related pain will feel more like a dull ache and usually worsens with physical activity, pressure, or actions that use those muscles like sneezing or laughing.You may also have flank pain from spinal arthritis or a pinched nerve.Musculoskeletal TreatmentTo treat the pain at home, use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, and ice the area for about 20 minutes at a time every few hours. If the pain doesn’t go away, or you notice swelling or redness along your sides, call your doctor or visit an urgent care center.Musculoskeletal Pain Risk FactorsThis type of pain could be caused by a muscle strain or tear due to:Increased physical activity.A fall or other trauma.Lifting something too heavy.Repetitive motion.Other Causes of Flank PainFlank pain can sometimes be caused by other, more serious conditions. These include:Bladder\u00a0or\u00a0kidney cancer.Kidney disease.Diverticulitis.Gallbladder disease.Appendicitis.Blockage in the urinary tract.When to see a doctorFlank pain can be tricky to diagnose and require a few different tests to pinpoint the problem. It’s always best to talk to your primary care doctor if you have unexplained pain that doesn’t go away. You should also call your doctor right away if you have signs of an infection, such as fever, fatigue, or body aches.Visit the\u00a0UPMC Department of Urology\u00a0to learn more about these conditions, which may result in flank pain or to\u00a0schedule an appointment with one of our urologists.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 21, 2016, and was last reviewed on December 7, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"3 Most Common Causes of Flank Pain","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/common-causes-of-flank-pain\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]