Left-side flank pain

Flank pain is felt between the ribs and hip, often toward the side or back. A strained muscle may hurt more when you twist, move, or press the area. Kidney Stones can cause intense pain that comes in waves and may travel toward the groin. A Kidney Infection may cause flank pain with fever, chills, nausea, or feeling unwell. A Urinary Tract Infection can add burning urine, frequent urination, or lower abdominal discomfort. Symptoms cannot identify the cause on their own.

Keep a record of when the pain began, whether movement changes it, and any urinary or digestive symptoms. Drink normally unless a clinician has told you to restrict fluids. Avoid strenuous lifting until a muscle cause is clearer. A clinician may examine your abdomen and back, check urine, and decide whether blood tests or imaging are needed. Arrange review if pain persists, recurs, or limits movement.

Get urgent help for flank pain with fever and chills, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, blood in urine, inability to urinate, or sudden severe pain. Prompt assessment is also needed during pregnancy or when you have one functioning kidney or significant kidney disease.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a urinary, muscular, or another cause; whether urine testing is needed; and which changes should bring you back urgently. Tell the clinician about pregnancy possibility, previous stones, fever, and medicines.