Flank pain is commonly referred to as side pain and is defined by the publication Clinical Methods as a sensation of discomfort or pain that originates from the area below the ribs and above the pubic or groin area. The type, onset, duration and severity of flank pain can be significant in diagnosing the cause of distress in this area of the body. Associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever and an increased heart rate can also help determine the cause. Flank pain can radiate to other areas of the body and can have a number of causes that range from mild problems to potentially serious disease in the body.
Kidney Disorders
Flank pain is often linked to renal or kidney problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) lists several types of renal causes including renal calculi or kidney stones, pyelonephritis or a kidney infection as well as tumors, cysts and abscesses in the kidney. Kidney stones may not cause symptoms unless they become inflamed or infected, or begin traveling through the kidneys and the urinary tract.
Clinical Methods notes patients with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus or painkiller abuse are at higher risk of kidney disorders that can cause flank pain, such as renal papillary necrosis and renal damage due the accumulation of toxins.
Urinary Tract Disorders
Clinical Methods notes that flank pain is most often caused by urinary tract problems such as a stone or blockage in a ureter, the tract that extends from the kidney to the bladder. A stone passing through the ureter may cause temporary but severe bouts of pain while a lodged obstruction will likely cause mild and chronic pain. An infection in the urinary tract can also cause flank or side pain in the body.
Shingles
Shingles are caused by an infection of the herpes zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. The UMMC explains that shingles cause a blistering skin rash and nerve pain that typically occurs on one side or the flank of the body. The initial symptoms of shingles include one-sided pain, burning or tingling. These symptoms are later followed by blisters and red patches on the skin that may become oozing, slightly ulcerated and crusty. This cause of flank pain usually affects a narrow area on one side of the body that extends from the spine at the back to the belly or lower chest area at the front. Shingles can affect the head, face, mouth and eyes.
