Do you also have flank pain? (Flank Pain) - Let's learn about the causes and remedies

Have you ever suddenly felt a sharp pain on one side of your body, specifically below your ribs, above your hips, on one or both sides? Sometimes it feels like a mild backache, other times it feels like a sharp stabbing pain. Many people experience this pain. Today, we'll talk about flank pain, or what's medically known as ``Flank Pain.''

What exactly is flank pain?

Simply put, flank pain is the pain that occurs on either side of your abdomen, between your lower ribs and your hipbone. For some, this pain can be a mild ache, but for others, it can be a sharp, unbearable pain. Sometimes this pain comes and goes, then comes back. Most of the time, it is felt most strongly on one side.

It's normal to experience this kind of pain at some point in our lives. But if it lasts for several days, gets worse, or is so severe that you can't even do your daily tasks, it's not something to ignore. It could be a sign that something is wrong inside your body.

What are the main causes of this pain?

There are many things that can cause pain in the groin. Some are as simple as a muscle strain, while others can be more serious, like kidney disease.

Is this muscle pain? Is it kidney pain? How do you know for sure?

This is a problem for many people.

• If you have muscle pain , the pain increases with movement, such as bending, lifting, coughing, or laughing. You can feel the pain if you press on the area with your hand.
• Kidney pain usually doesn't change much with your movements. It feels like a deep, constant ache. It can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever and urinary tract infection.

How does the doctor find the cause?

When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you a few questions.

• Is the pain on the right side? On the left side? On both sides?
• Where exactly do you feel the pain?
• Does the pain increase or decrease when you do something?
• Are there any other symptoms (such as fever, nausea, urinary tract infection) along with this pain?

After that, you can be examined and, if necessary, referred for several tests like this.

• Blood and urine tests: These can check the function of your kidneys and other organs, and whether there are any infections. Examples of these are ``Complete Blood Count (CBC)`` and ``Urinalysis``.
• Imaging Tests: An ultrasound or CT scan may be done to look for things like kidney stones. An X-ray or MRI may also be done if there is a suspicion of a spinal problem.
• Cystoscopy:In this, a very small tube with a camera attached is passed down the urethra and the inside of the bladder is examined.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your pain.

• If it's a muscle strain: Rest and give painkillers.
• If there is an infection: Antibiotics are given.
• Kidney stones: Depending on the size of the stone, there are treatments ranging from drinking plenty of water to using shock waves to break up the stone from outside the body (Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy) or removing the stone through a minor operation (Ureteroscopy).
• In the case of a condition such as cancer: Specific treatments (Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy) or surgery are required.

Important: Do not take painkillers, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen, diclofenac) on your own without your doctor's advice. These can be dangerous, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. Always talk to your doctor before using any medication.

Can this kind of pain be prevented?

While some causes cannot be prevented, there are several things we can do to reduce the risk.

1. Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water every day can greatly reduce the risk of kidney stones. Also, reduce the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet.

2. Maintain a healthy weight: As your body weight increases, your risk of developing kidney stones and back problems increases. Regular exercise is very important.

3. Keep your urinary tract clean: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be prevented by habits such as urinating immediately after sex and wiping from front to back after using the toilet (especially for women). Urinate as soon as you feel a need to urinate. Holding in urine increases the risk of infection.

4. Regular medical checkups: Get the necessary vaccinations (e.g., the Shingles vaccine) on time. See a doctor regularly to check your health.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

If the pain doesn't usually subside within a day or so, if it goes away and then comes back, or if it's so severe that you can't even do your daily activities, you should definitely see a doctor.

If the following symptoms are present along with pain in the groin, it could be a sign of a serious condition. Therefore, seek medical advice immediately. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.