Urinary Tract Infections
You can have flank pain if you have problems with your urinary tract. For example, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder infection, or kidney infection. These illnesses often cause severe kidney pain. There could also be other symptoms, such as blood in the urine, vomiting, bloating, chills, and fever. Flank pain could be due to dehydration, leading to urinary tract problems. It is important to know that any part of the urinary tract can develop infections, such as the urethra, kidneys, ureters, and bladder. However, most UTIs often occur in the bladder.
You should also know that there are two types of UTIs. The most common type affecting the urethra or bladder is lower tract UTI. The upper tract UTI, usually affecting the kidneys or ureters, is a serious infection that needs immediate medical treatment. Failure to seek medical attention can permanently damage your kidneys. Moreover, if the bacteria from the infection enter your bloodstream, you are at risk of a life-threatening situation.
Flank pain from urinary tract infections can appear on one or both flanks.
