What is Flank Pain
Flank pain is pain in your side. The flank is the area of your side between your upper belly (abdomen) and your back.
The pain may occur over a short time (acute), or it may be long-term or come back often (chronic). It may be mild or very bad. Pain in this area can be caused by many different things.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
- Rest as told by your doctor.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- Keep
a journal to keep track of:
- What has caused your flank pain.
- What has made it feel better.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
Contact a doctor if:
- Medicine does not help your pain.
- You have new symptoms.
- Your pain gets worse.
- You have a fever.
- Your symptoms last longer than 2–3 days.
- You have trouble peeing.
- You are peeing more often than normal.
Get help right away if:
- You have trouble breathing.
- You are short of breath.
- Your belly hurts, or it is swollen or red.
- You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous).
- You throw up (vomit).
- You feel like you will pass out, or you do pass out (faint).
- You have blood in your pee.
Summary
- Flank pain is pain in your side. The flank is the area of your side between your upper belly (abdomen) and your back.
- Flank pain may occur over a short time (acute), or it may be long-term or come back often (chronic). It may be mild or very bad.
- Pain in this area can be caused by many different things.
- Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or they last longer than 2–3 days.
