What is kidney pain?

Kidney pain is also known as renal tract pain. It can be a sign of a problem in the kidney or urinary tract.

Your kidneys sit on either side of your backbone (spine), between your ribcage and your hips.

Your kidneys clean your blood and filter waste out through your urine (wee). Your kidneys drain urine to your bladder through tubes called ureters. Your bladder holds urine and releases it from your body through a narrow tube called the urethra.

What symptoms are related to kidney pain?

Kidney pain is usually felt in your back or side, under the ribs. It can spread to your groin, including the scrotum in males.

It's more common to have kidney pain on just one side of the body.

Depending on the cause, symptoms may also include:

• fever
• feeling unwell or vomiting
• pain when passing urine
• blood in your urine
• the urgent need to urinate (do a wee)

What causes kidney pain?

Kidney pain can be caused by problems in any part of your urinary tract, such as:

• kidney stones that are stuck in your kidney or ureter
• kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• kidney cancer
• an injury to your kidneys or urinary tract
• a blood clot in your kidney

Sometimes what seems like kidney pain could be coming from problems in other parts of your body, such as appendicitis, aortic aneurysm, ectopic pregnancy or an ovarian cyst.

How is the cause of kidney pain diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you to diagnose the cause of your kidney pain. You may also be asked to have:

• a blood test
• a urine test
• an x-ray, ultrasound or CT scan

A CT scan is the best test for kidney stones, but it exposes you to radiation. Your doctor might advise you to have an ultrasound if you are at risk from radiation, for example, if you are pregnant.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you have kidney pain or any associated symptoms.

When to seek urgent care

See your doctor immediately or go to your local hospital emergency department if you have kidney pain and:

• you have a fever or feel very unwell
• you are unable to pass urine
• the pain is on both sides of your body
• you are having trouble coping with the pain even after taking pain-relieving medicines
• you only have one kidney
• you have chronic kidney disease

How is kidney pain treated?

How your kidney pain is treated depends on:

• the cause of your pain
• how severe your pain is
• how sick you are feeling

Simple pain relief like paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines are likely to help. You may need stronger pain-relieving medicines, such as opioids. You can talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If your pain is caused by an infection, you will need antibiotics.

If your pain is caused by a kidney stone, it may pass without any treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help the stone pass. In some situations you may need surgery if you can't pass a kidney stone.

Can kidney pain be prevented?

Here are some things you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep your blood pressure under control.
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar level under control.

Resources and support

Visit Kidney Health Australia for information and resources about kidney problems.

Take a quick online test to check your risk of chronic kidney disease.

Visit Caring for Australians Living With Kidney Impairment for information on kidney health.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

Kidney Health Australia has information about kidney disease in a few community languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Kidney Health Australia also has resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.