What Does It Feel Like When Your Kidneys Hurt?

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist located in the back of the abdomen, just under the ribcage, on each side of the spine. 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 feels like: 

• 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

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 be cautious 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.