How To Identify Kidney Pain

How Doctors Diagnose Kidney Pain

To determine the underlying cause of kidney pain, Doctors begin by taking the patient's medical history. They will ask questions about the location and nature of the pain, when it began, and if anything makes it worse or better. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination. They will gently press on the patient's abdomen and back to check for any signs of tenderness, pain, or masses. After completing the physical exam, the doctor may recommend urine and blood tests to obtain more information. A complete urinalysis helps check for the presence of red blood cells or excessive protein, and blood tests for blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate could be necessary as well. If a kidney infection is suspected, doctors might request a urine culture to isolate specific bacteria and fungi. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate test can also be performed on a sample of the patient's blood to check for inflammation. The patient may need to have an ultrasound exam or a CT or MRI scan to check for tumors, cysts, or obstructions. A cystoscopy could be recommended if imaging studies are unclear. This procedure is performed with a local anesthetic, and it involves inserting a flexible scope into the patient's urethra to view the bladder. If a tumor or growth is detected, the patient may need to have a kidney biopsy. This may be performed with a fine needle guided by ultrasound, and it could also be completed with a hollow needle.

Learn about the triggers for kidney pain next.