The kidneys are two organs located on the right and left sides of the abdomen, below the dorsal side of the spine. The liver causes the right kidney to be lower. Pain in the right kidney could indicate a problem with the kidney or its surrounding organs, as well as tissue or muscle disorders.
Causes of pain in the right kidney
Most kidney pain conditions affect only one of the kidneys in your body. Pain in the right kidney area could indicate a problem with the kidney or its surrounding tissues. Some causes of kidney pain on the right are:
- Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause of right kidney pain. These infections are typically caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by viruses or fungi. Although the infection typically occurs in the lower urinary tract, it can also affect the upper urinary tract, including the ureters and kidneys.
High fever, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and back pain are some of the symptoms of kidney problems.
- Kidney stones
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and removing toxic compounds and other chemicals before it is transported throughout the body. After the filtering process, waste will be excreted through urine. Chemicals from urine can form and accumulate in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones.
Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract. Large kidney stones, on the other hand, typically have difficulty passing through the urine and cause pain.
- Kidney trauma
One of the possible causes of right kidney pain is kidney trauma. Kidney trauma is an injury to the kidney caused by external forces such as blunt trauma or penetrating trauma. Blunt trauma results from an impact that does not penetrate the skin, whereas penetrating trauma occurs when an object enters the body.
Bruising and blood in the urine are signs of blunt trauma, whereas wounds indicate penetrating trauma. Both traumas can result in pain ranging from mild to severe.
- Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease is identified by the presence of numerous cysts on the kidneys. This condition is primarily caused by genetic factors. Cysts in the kidneys can cause pain and reduce kidney function.
The disease is characterized by blood in the urine, frequent urination, lower back pain, an enlarged abdomen, kidney stones, and high blood pressure. Other symptoms include headaches, weakness, joint pain, and pale skin that bruises easily.
- Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is the development of abnormal cells in kidney tissue. The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but several risk factors can contribute to the condition, including high blood pressure, a history of kidney cancer, obesity, and smoking. Prolonged dialysis treatment can also cause kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer symptoms may include blood in the urine, kidney masses, weakness, decreased appetite, weight loss, fever, and pain in the bones.
Pain in the right kidney can have a number of causes. If you experience pain in the area, consult a doctor. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more information about other diseases? Check here!
- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Frothingham, S. (2023). 6 Causes of Right Kidney Pain: Symptoms and Treatment. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/right-kidney-pain
Phillips, N. (2023). Polycystic Kidney Disease. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/polycystic-kidney-disease
Mayo Clinic. Kidney Stones. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755#
Mayo Clinic. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447#
Cleveland Clinic. Kidney Cancer. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview