What Causes a Pain in the Back in the Kidney Area?

Back pain in the kidney area can be caused by kidney problems, dehydration, pancreatitis and inflammatory illnesses, explains Healthline. It can also be caused by muscle spasms or spinal injuries such as disk disease, fractures or pinched nerves.
Back or flank pain can be caused by a variety of reasons, only some of which directly involve the kidneys, according to Healthline. An individual should catalog any other symptoms along with the back pain such as extreme thirst, dizziness, a rapid heart rate and headaches. This is a sign of dehydration. If the pain is accompanied with blood in the stool or urine, vomiting, fever and chills, the individual should consult a medical professional as it can be a sign of a serious health problem.
Treatment of flank pain depends on the cause, explains Healthline. For instance, if the cause is an inflammatory illness, the individual is treated with anti-inflammatory medication. Pain can result from pinched nerves or arthritis, requiring physical therapy to treat it. If the kidneys are infected or an individual is suffering from kidney stones, hospitalization is often required for intravenous medication. In some cases, large kidney stones are broken up so they can pass through the body less painfully.