What if only one kidney hurts

Your kidneys are located in the back of your abdomen, just under your ribcage, on each side of your spine. Pain in your sides or middle to upper back could be coming from your kidneys. However, having pain in your back or sides does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with your kidneys. It is possible to have pain on only one side if only one kidney has a problem, or both sides if both kidneys are affected.

If the pain you feel is coming from your kidneys, it could be a sign of a kidney problem. Some problems that can cause kidney pain include:. For example, failing to drink enough water is a risk factor, as is obesity or a high protein diet. When you have just one kidney, you do have to be careful not to damage it, though.

If you have symptoms of a stone, see your doctor right away for a proper diagnosis. A person with kidney stones can develop chronic kidney disease that will affect the health of your remaining organ. The doctor may want to take steps to help you pass the stone, such as using a noninvasive treatment to break it up. Having one stone increases your risk of more forming, too.

You may need to change your diet or take medication to manage the condition. The most important thing is not to ignore any sign that there is a problem with your kidney, whether it is a stone or not. People with one working kidney need a function check at least once a year. If you think you could be at risk for kidney stones, please contact Georgia Urology today to schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options. Participate in our patient survey.

What is a Kidney Stone? Symptoms of a kidney stone include: Severe side or back pain that may spread to the groin Pain that comes in waves and may intensify when you have to urinate Pink, red or brown urine Cloudy or foul-smelling urine Nausea Frequent urination or bladder pressure Difficulty urinating The pain of a stone may seem to move around, as well.

How Having One Kidney Affects a Kidney Stone The same things that cause a person with two kidneys to get stones can put a patient with just one at risk. Medical Management of Kidney Stones. Sign Up for Our Newsletter Email. First Name. Last Name. Patient Survey Your opinion is important. Ronald Anglade, M. Ricardo Arceo-Olaiz, M. Brittani L. Barrett-Harlow, M. Daniel R.

Belew, M. Emily Blum, M. Carl Capelouto, M. Cathy M. Larger kidney stones can cause discomfort when they move through the urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder and can also get stuck in the kidney. They can cause symptoms such as:. The usual treatment for kidney stones involves drinking fluids to pass the stone and taking over-the-counter OTC pain medication. Learn more about kidney stones here. Benign, or noncancerous, cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

They can form in one or both kidneys and do not usually cause symptoms. If a cyst gets too big, bursts, or becomes infected, it can cause kidney pain and symptoms, including:. Small cysts do not usually require treatment. If treatment is necessary, the options include:. Learn more about kidney cysts here. Polycystic kidney disease PKD is a genetic condition that causes several cysts to form in one or both kidneys. PKD can alter the shape of the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure or other issues.

Treatment for PKD typically involves taking medication to slow kidney damage that high blood pressure causes. Other recommendations include making lifestyle changes, such as:. Learn more about PKD here. Glomerulonephritis is a group of diseases that can cause kidney inflammation and damage the glomeruli, which filters blood. If damage occurs to the kidneys, they work less effectively and can eventually lead to kidney failure. Acute glomerulonephritis occurs suddenly and can accompany infections, such as strep throat.

Symptoms include:. Chronic glomerulonephritis develops slowly and may be the result of changes in the immune system or unknown causes. Acute glomerulonephritis may clear up on its own. If it does not, a doctor may recommend medications to help weaken the immune system.

They may also recommend draining the kidneys of extra fluid. Learn more about glomerulonephritis here. Hydronephrosis is a condition that causes a buildup of urine in the kidneys. It happens when an obstruction in the urinary tract prevents urine from fully draining from the kidneys. The condition may or may not cause symptoms. The main symptom is pain, which may be in the side of the back or the groin.