Back/ Flank pain "renal Colic"

There are a few very specific reasons for back/flank pain. One of the most common reasons is the presence of urinary calculi. When the pain is from this source, it is often associated with renal colic. This term is a bit misleading as colic suggests a coming and going of pain, yet with this diagnosis the pain will typically remain in constant fashion. When the onset of flank pain is acute and goes down to the groin area, symptoms include vomiting and/or nausea.  

While that is the most common reason for flank pain, there are several other conditions that could cause these symptoms. Pyelonephritis is another common cause but the discomfort ascribed to this is typically a milder pain as opposed to the pain of the usual renal colic. With this condition there is usually vomiting, nausea, stiff neck and fever. People with this condition usually lie very still for comfort as opposed to those with renal colic who have a difficult time standing still.

There are several other reasons for flank pain including appendicitis, diverticulitis, acute nephritis, ulcer disease, kidney disease and renal vein thrombosis. This type of pain is quite common in both men and women and can be treated properly once a workup has been done, and a diagnosis provided.