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Flank pain is a common symptom that affects the area on either side of the lower back, between the pelvis and ribs. It can be caused by various factors, including injuries, infections, or conditions affecting nearby organs. One of the leading causes of flank pain is muscle strain, which can result from physical activity, heavy lifting, or prolonged periods of sitting. This type of pain typically worsens with certain movements and can be relieved through rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter medications. However, it is important to note that flank pain can also be a sign of more serious underlying issues, such as kidney problems, urinary tract infections, or spinal arthritis. Therefore, seeking medical advice is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area of pain | Sides of the body from the upper abdomen to the back, between the pelvis and ribs |
| Type of pain | Dull ache or sharp, stabbing pain |
| Intensity of pain | Usually more intense on one side |
| Worsened by | Certain movements like bending, twisting, lifting heavy weights, laughing or sneezing |
| Treatment | Rest, physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medications, drinking water |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle strain from heavy lifting or prolonged sitting
Flank pain is a common symptom, and pain alone cannot indicate the underlying cause. It is described as discomfort on either side of the lower back, between the pelvis and ribs. The flank is the area on the side of the body from the upper abdomen to the back.
If the pain is mild or moderate and there are no other symptoms, flank pain is most likely due to a muscle strain. It should resolve with rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter pain medications. Staying hydrated is also crucial, especially for urinary tract-related issues.
To prevent flank pain caused by muscle strain, it is important to use good body mechanics and refrain from twisting. Maintaining proper cleanliness, regularly emptying the bladder, and urinating after sexual activity can also lower the incidence of UTIs, which can cause flank pain.
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Kidney stones
Flank pain can be caused by muscle strain, kidney stones, or urinary tract infections. Kidney stones are pebble-like pieces of material that can form in one or both kidneys when there are high levels of certain minerals in the urine. The stone-forming chemicals include calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate.
Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size, location, and composition. Smaller stones may only require pain relievers, while larger stones may require procedures such as shockwave lithotripsy, uteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithomy, or nephrolithotripsy.
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Urinary tract infections
Flank pain is pain in the area on either side of the lower back, between the pelvis and ribs. It can be caused by several conditions, diseases, or injuries. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common causes of flank pain.
UTIs are bacterial infections that enter the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Pain in the lower back or abdomen may be a sign of a lower UTI, such as a bladder infection. Pain in the upper back and kidney area may indicate an upper UTI.
Acute pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that causes renal inflammation and is one of the most common kidney diseases. It is generally a complication of an ascending UTI that spreads from the bladder to the kidneys. Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis include fever, flank pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, burning during urination, increased urinary frequency, and urgency.
If you are experiencing flank pain, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and receive proper treatment.
If you suspect that you have a UTI, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics, and symptoms should clear up shortly after starting the medication.
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Degeneration of spinal discs
Flank pain is a common symptom, and pain alone cannot indicate the underlying cause. Muscle strain is one of the most common causes of flank pain. This pain can be very intense, but the intensity of the pain is not necessarily a measure of the severity of the injury. Strained back muscles may cause back pain, which can radiate away from your muscles and affect your flanks. Flank pain treatment may include rest, medications, or surgery.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. It is not a disease, and nearly everyone's spinal discs show some signs of wear as they age. However, not everyone will experience DDD. The discs act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine, helping the back stay flexible while resisting forces in many different planes of motion. Each disc has two parts: a firm, tough outer layer, the anulus fibrosus, which contains nerves; and a soft, jelly-like core, the nucleus pulposus, which contains proteins that can cause surrounding tissues to become swollen and tender. If the proteins leak out to the nerves of the outer layer, they can cause severe pain.
The discs have a very low blood supply, so once a disc is injured, it cannot repair itself, and degeneration can set in. This degeneration typically occurs in three stages over 20 to 30 years. The first stage is acute pain, which makes normal movement of the back difficult. The second stage is the destabilization of the bone where the injury occurred. The third stage is the recurrence of back pain over a long period. Several factors can cause disc degeneration, including age, daily activities, sports, and injuries. The drying out of the disc is a significant factor, as discs are about 80% water when we are born, but they dry out as we age, becoming less effective shock absorbers. By age 60, most people have some degree of disc degeneration.
The typical person with DDD is active, otherwise healthy, and in their 30s or 40s. The pain is usually worse when sitting, as the discs of the lower back have three times more load on them than when standing. The pain gets worse with movements such as bending, lifting, or twisting. Patients may experience periods of severe pain that come and go, ranging from nagging to disabling pain. The pain can affect the low back, buttocks, thighs, or neck, depending on the affected disc, and it may radiate to the arms and hands. Other symptoms include numbness and tingling in the extremities and weakness in the leg muscles or foot drop, indicating possible damage to the nerve root.
Treatment options for DDD include disc replacement and other surgical interventions. Nonsurgical options include acupuncture, back braces, and pain management. Medications such as acetaminophen and arthritis medicines (e.g., aspirin, NSAIDs) can help manage discomfort. If the pain is severe or persistent, a doctor may prescribe stronger medications.
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Shingles
Flank pain is pain in the side of the body between the abdomen and the back. It can be caused by muscle strain, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or injuries to the muscles in the side and back. Muscle strain can cause flank pain, especially in people who are active in sports or work out a lot. This pain often worsens with certain movements, such as bending, twisting, lifting heavy weights, laughing, or sneezing.
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Frequently asked questions
Flank pain is a discomfort that can affect either side of the lower back, between the pelvis and the ribs. It can also be felt in the upper abdomen.
Yes, flank pain can be caused by muscle strain. Muscle tension or stiffness in the flank area can be painful but is typically not serious. Muscle strain can be caused by physical activity, heavy lifting, or prolonged periods of sitting.
Treatment for flank pain caused by muscle strain can include rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter pain medications. Staying hydrated is also important, especially if the pain is related to the urinary tract.
