Some health problems that affect a kidney can cause pain. You might feel kidney pain as a dull ache just below the ribs along your side or back. But pain in these areas often has other causes that aren't related to the kidneys.
The kidneys are a pair of small organs located toward the back of your body, just under the lower ribs. One kidney sits on each side of the spine. Kidney pain — also called renal pain — most often affects only one side of the body. Fever and urinary symptoms often happen along with kidney pain.
Contact a healthcare professional right away if you feel constant, dull, one-sided pain in your back or side. Ask for a same-day appointment if you also:
- Have fever, body aches and fatigue.
- Had a recent urinary tract infection.
- Feel pain when you urinate.
- See blood in your urine.
- Have an upset stomach or vomiting.
Get emergency care if you have sudden, serious kidney pain, with or without blood in your urine.
Show References
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- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-infection-pyelonephritis/symptoms-causes. Accessed Dec. 21, 2022.
- Ferri FF. Urolithiasis (nephrolithiasis). In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 21, 2022.
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Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/kidney-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050902