What should you know about right side flank pain?

The flank is the side between the upper abdomen and back. Pain that is sore to touch or changes with bending may involve muscles or the body wall. Deeper, wave-like pain with nausea can occur with kidney stones. Kidney infection may present with flank pain alongside fever, chills, feeling unwell, or urinary symptoms. Urinary tract infection can cause burning, urgency, or frequent urination, and may spread upward. Right-sided abdominal conditions can also be felt toward the flank. The symptom does not diagnose any one condition.

Note whether the pain is constant, comes in waves, follows movement, or travels toward the groin or abdomen. Record temperature, urine appearance, bowel changes, and medicines you have taken. Gentle activity is reasonable if it does not increase pain; avoid heavy lifting until the cause is clearer. Maintain usual fluid intake unless a clinician has given you a fluid restriction. If pain is new, recurrent, or interfering with sleep or daily activity, arrange a clinical review. A urine test and examination may help guide the next step.

Get urgent care for severe or escalating pain, fainting, confusion, repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, trouble breathing, or a swollen or rigid abdomen. Seek prompt medical assessment when flank pain comes with fever, chills, painful urination, inability to pass urine, or blood in the urine. Pregnancy, one functioning kidney, or significant medical illness lowers the threshold for contacting a clinician.

What causes fit my pain location and pattern? Do I need a urine test or imaging? Which symptoms would make this urgent? How should I manage pain while waiting for an appointment?