Side pain: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Flank pain; Pain – side; Side pain

Side pain - what is it?

Side pain is a type of abdominal pain, located on the sides of the body, between the lower chest and thighs. It may feel like a stomach ache, hip pain or kidney pain. Side pain can have a wide range of causes., from ordinary to dangerous. Side pain can often become quite intense, what causes these symptoms, as:

• Feeling harsh or burning.
• Dull, aching or cramping pain.
• Pain increases from mild to severe

Side pain can be a sign of various conditions., including muscle tension, stones in the kidneys, infections and even some types of cancer. For this reason, everyone, who has pain in the side, it is important to seek medical attention and evaluate your symptoms, to determine the underlying cause.

Causes of pain in the side

Side pain can have many different causes., mild to severe. Some of the most common causes of side pain include:

Muscle strains or injuries

Muscle strain or injury from overuse or constant muscle tension can cause side pain. This type of pain is usually felt throughout the lower abdomen and can be sharp or dull in nature..

Stones in the kidneys

Kidney stones are another common cause of side pain., usually onset suddenly and causing intense and localized pain. If the stone is small, it usually leaves the body with urination.

Urinary tract infections (IMP)

UTIs can cause side pain, which usually develops gradually. Pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as frequent urination, cloudy or discolored urine, as well as an urgent need to urinate.

Tension of the intercostal muscles

The intercostal muscles are responsible for supporting the ribs and aiding in movement.. Overuse or sudden injury can overexert or damage these muscles, which will lead to side pain.

Kidney problems

Some kidney problems, such as kidney infections, kidney cancer and blockage of the ureter, can cause side pain. The pain is usually quite severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms., such as fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

Other causes of side pain

In some cases, side pain can be caused by other conditions., such as:

• Pancreatitis
• Diverticulitis
• Gynecological problems
• Inflammation of the liver
• Appendicitis
• Gastrointestinal problems

When to contact a healthcare professional?

If you experience any pain in your side, it is important to seek medical attention, to determine the underlying cause. Seek immediate medical attention, if you experience any signs of infection, such as fever, chills or other accompanying symptoms.

It is also important to seek medical attention, if the pain is severe and does not go away with home treatment, or if you are experiencing any symptoms of kidney stones, such as pain, located on one side of the abdomen, or painful urination.

Questions, that your doctor may ask

When you visit your doctor, it, probably, ask you a series of questions, to help diagnose the cause of your pain. Some of the questions, that your doctor may ask, include:

• Where is the pain located? Describing the location of the pain can help the doctor determine its cause..
• When the pain started? knowing that, when the pain started, can help the doctor narrow down potential causes.
• What other symptoms are you experiencing? Other symptoms, such as fever, nausea, chills or changes in urination, may point to a specific cause..
• What makes the pain weaker or stronger? knowing that, what makes pain better or worse, can help your doctor determine the underlying cause.
• Have you had any recent illness or injury? If you have recently had an illness or injury, it may be associated with pain.

Diagnosis of pain in the side

To diagnose the cause of side pain, your doctor may do a physical examination first, including checking heart rate, breathing rate and area of ​​your pain.

The following tests can be carried out:

• CT of the abdomen
• Blood tests to check kidney and liver function
• Ultrasound for examining internal organs
• Chest X-ray
• kidney or abdominal ultrasound
• X-ray of the lumbosacral spine
• Kidney and Bladder Tests, such as urinalysis and urine culture or cystourethrogram

Side pain treatment

Side pain treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the pain.. The doctor may recommend medication, such as antibiotics, to treat infections; painkillers or muscle relaxants to treat muscle strains or injuries; or treatment, such as surgery or removal of kidney stones, in serious conditions.

In very rare cases, if it is impossible to determine the cause of the pain, your doctor may recommend observation and monitoring.

Home treatment for side pain

If the pain in the side is moderate and caused by muscle tension or injury, you can do a few things at home, to reduce pain:

• Recreation. Be sure to take time to rest and avoid any activity, that can cause or aggravate your pain.
• ice/heat. Applying ice or heat to the area on 20 minutes several times a day can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Medicines, otpuskaemыe without prescription. OTC painkillers, Taki how ibuprofen, may help reduce inflammation and pain.
• Stretch/Exercise. Doing light stretching and light to moderate exercise can help reduce pain and improve flexibility..

Side pain prevention

Side pain can be prevented, avoiding action, that work the abdominal muscles. To avoid muscle strain or injury, it is important to warm up before physical activity and work out the correct form and technique. It is also important to get enough rest and avoid dehydration., as dehydration can lead to muscle strain.

Finally, it is important to be aware of your body and seek medical help, if you experience any pain or other symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of long-term complications and ensure a speedy recovery..

Used sources and literature

Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.

McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.

Millham FH. Acute abdominal pain. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11.

Seller RH, Symons AB. Abdominal pain in adults. In: Seller RH, Symons AB, eds. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 1.