How Can You Tell the Difference Between Back Pain and Kidney Pain?

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of a fist located in the back of the abdomen, just under the ribcage, on each side of the spinal cord. Kidney pain is pain that originates in the area of the kidneys, on the sides or middle to upper back. It may occur on one or both sides.

Symptoms of kidney pain occur in the area of the kidneys, on the sides or middle to upper back, on one or both sides, and may be described as: 

• A constant, dull ache in the sides, back, or belly
• Pain in the side
• Severe or sharp pain
• Pain may come in waves
• Pain may radiate to the belly or groin area

Depending on the cause of the kidney pain, symptoms that may accompany it include: 

• Painful urination
• Cloudy urine 
• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Rash

There are some ways to tell if your back pain may be kidney pain:

• Location
  • Kidney pain is usually felt slightly higher in the back, on one or both sides, often just under the rib cage
  • Back problems usually affect the lower back
• Duration
  • Kidney pain tends to be a constant ache
  • Back pain may subside when you move

Signs of back pain that are not kidney pain include: 

• Pain that is stabbing, rather than dull and constant
• Pain shoots down one leg
• Pain worsens when you perform certain activities or movements
• Pain may lessen with rest 
• May be felt more in the muscles

Possible causes of kidney pain include:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Blood clots in the kidney(s) (renal vein thrombosis)
• Bleeding in the kidney(s)
• Kidney tumor or cancer
• Kidney stones
• Kidney cysts
• Kidney swelling
• Trauma to the kidneys
• End stage renal disease

To diagnose the cause of the kidney pain, certain tests may be indicated, such as:

Urine tests to screen for

• Blood
• Protein
• White blood cells
• Signs of kidney problems
• Pregnancy test
• Ultrasound

Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis to look for

• Kidney stones
• Problems in the kidneys
• Problems in the urinary tract

Treatment for kidney pain depends on the cause. 

• Medications may help relieve pain, such as:
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Morphine (for painful kidney stones)

Patients with known kidney problems should not be treated with pain medications that are filtered through the kidneys, because this may cause further renal damage.

If kidney pain is due to a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or urinary tract infection (UTI), antibiotics may be prescribed. 

In some cases, kidney stones may require surgical removal.