Right flank pain

Introduction to right flank pain

The right flank denotes the area of the body that lies between the last rib and the hip on the right side of the body.

The outer skin on this area of the body is notoriously tender. There are many reasons and causes for this pain, though most of the time it is the sign of kidney problems or a back strain of some sort.

Some of the common symptoms for kidney problems include pain, fever, and frequent urination. If these symptoms arise, it is very important to go see a doctor as soon as possible.

When a person experiences right flank pain they will probably have to go through CT-scans, ultrasounds and x-rays in order to diagnose the problem correctly.

Common causes

Kidney disorders are generally the most common cause behind right flank pain. Kidney stones block the ureter and lead to pain in this area. The kidney is the organ of the body that help it get rid of some of the waste products from the body.

When the urine is not flowing out the body properly, the kidney will fill up, swell and cause pain in the right flank.

Bacterial infections of the kidney can also cause similar pain in this area, as can bleeding within the kidney, which produces blood clots that block the ureter and do not allow urine to exit properly.

There are many gynecological problems that the women experience that can be the root of right flank pain as well. The cause of this type of pain can sometimes be ectopic pregnancy, which can be diagnoses by way of an ultrasound.

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that is similar to the tissue that lines the uterus is found in the pelvic cavity of a women. In this case, there will usually be pelvic pain accompanying the pain in the right flank.

Ovarian cysts can also lead to pain in this region.

Urinary tract infections are another very common cause of pain in the right flank area.

This is caused by germs that travel from the intestine into the bladder and cause an infection there and in the urinary tract itself.

Bladder infections can be treated easily, but the pain in the right flank will remain until they have treated completely. People with such problems may also experience fevers and a burning sensation while urinating.

People who have problems with diabetes or arthritis may also experience pain in this area of the body.

Another common cause of pain in the right flank is an injury of the muscles that are located in that area of the body.