Right Kidney Pain - What Do Your Symptoms Mean?

Many times, pain at the lower edge of the ribs on either side of the spine is mistaken for normal backache. But pain typically felt in the flank area, where kidneys are located, should not be dismissed as a normal backache. Backache is dull and persistent while kidney pain is severe and is experienced in waves. Pain only in the right side or left side of the back is possible if one of the kidneys is infected or is not functioning because of formation of stones.

Causes of Pain in Right Kidney

• Blockage of Urine: Kidney stone is the most common cause of kidney pain. When a stone blocks the ureter, it also blocks the flow of the urine and the urine gets accumulated in the kidney. Swelling of the kidney leads to stretching of its capsule (the thin covering around the kidney). This causes sharp and severe pain in the right side. A kidney stone can block the urine suddenly. Gradual blockage of urine is possible due to several causes and it can also lead to severe kidney pain.
• Kidney Infection: Kidney infection or pyelonephritis is also common in all age groups. The infection in the right kidney can cause inflammation of the kidney and can lead to stretching of the capsule.
• Bleeding: Severe injury can result in bleeding within the right kidney, leading to sharp pain.
• Infarction: An interrupted blood supply to the right kidney due to a blocked artery can lead to death of cells and it can lead to severe pain in the kidney.
• Kidney Cancer: A growing tumor in the right kidney can stretch the kidney capsule slowly. The tumor can compress the nerves in the kidney area, causing pain.
• Poly-cystic Kidney Disease: This is a hereditary disease and can cause enlargement of the kidneys, leading to pain.
• Spasms in Bladder/Ureter: A full bladder can lead to involuntary muscle contraction and can cause pain in the lower abdominal or in the flank area.

Symptoms that Accompany Right Kidney Pain

• Blockage of Urine: Kidney stone symptoms include blood in urine, fever and chills, sharp pain, nausea and vomiting, cloudy and bad smelling urine, burning sensation while urinating, severe back pain, etc. The pain comes in waves. It can be as severe as that experienced during childbirth. The person may find it difficult to hold still, he/she keeps on changing positions. As the stone travels down the ureter, the pain can be experienced in the lower abdomen and groin.
• Kidney Infection: Even a very light touch in the flank area can create sharp pain. Other symptoms like strong urine odor (there can be puss and blood in urine), increased frequency and urgency to urinate, fever, nausea, and vomiting may also be noticed. The condition needs prompt medical attention. Since kidneys filter the blood and remove the toxins, drugs and waste material, all blood passes through kidneys. Infection in right kidney can get transferred to another kidney fast or it can spread to the bloodstream. Usually, antibiotics are administered intravenously to prevent the spread of infection.
• Spasms in Bladder/Ureter: The sharp pain resolves on its own once the bladder is emptied because secretion of the urine is one of the main functions of kidneys. So never neglect nature's call.
• Kidney Cancer: As the kidney capsule enlarges slowly due to tumor, a slow dull pain is experienced by the person. In the initial stages, no signs and symptoms are seen. In advanced stages, symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, blood in the urine, intermittent fever can be seen. Back pain below the ribs which doesn't go away is a characteristic symptom of kidney cancer. Poly-cystic kidney disease may result in dull aching pain and persistent back pain.

Most kidney problems lead to sharp and severe pain in the kidney area. Kidney problems which develop slowly may generate dull aching pain. Some low-grade infections, kidney failure, tumors and stones which do not block urine flow are not likely to exhibit any symptoms. They may exhibit symptoms in advanced stages. Certain symptoms like fever, vomiting, that accompany right kidney pain indicate that the condition is worsened and needs prompt medical attention. Kidneys play an important role in regulating blood pressure and maintaining the normal concentration of electrolytes. Dysfunction of a kidney can prove to be life-threatening. So if you notice flank pain, burning or pain with urination, swelling in the body (ankles, feet, abdomen, lower back, hands, and face), increased urination (especially at night), changed appearance of the urine, you should consult your physician immediately.