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What Causes Pain In Spine Radiating To Left Flank Area?

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Posted on Wed, 24 Sep 2014
Question: my friend woke up this morning experiencing intense pain that radiates from his spine toward his left flank. he's vomited a few times and feels like he has to urinate but hasn't been able to for hours. it comes in waves where he'll be ok and then he'll try to get up and move around because he was feeling better, but then it came back. he's only been able to keep a glass of water down. we can't tell if this is food poisoning or if it's some sort of urinary or kidney infection? it's labor day so there aren't many options of care, so we want to make sure it's not something super serious. should he be going to urgent care?
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Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ureteric colic is likely

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to HCM.

Your friend is having a colicky pain on left flank.
Most commonly,such a pain results from ureteric colic due to obstruction of the urinary tract(commonly at the level of ureter) by a stone.Unilateral pain,coming in intermittent attacks,associated with nausea vomiting is typical of this condition.
Anyhow,as you told,we have to rule out other causes like urinary tract infection also.An abdominal examination followed by urine microscopy and ultrasound abdomen will help in diagnosis.

Both the conditions are initially treated with antibiotics,analgesics,antiemetics and adequate fluid intake.Depending on the size and exact location of stones,this may need further intervention.Your doctor will guide you.

At the present situation,he cant go for work.Kindly visit the emergency room without delay-otherwise,with ureteric colic,this can progress to hydro nephrosis and further complications.

Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing for a faster cure.
Thank you.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammed Aslam

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 987 Questions

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What Causes Pain In Spine Radiating To Left Flank Area?

Brief Answer: Ureteric colic is likely Detailed Answer: Hello dear,welcome to HCM. Your friend is having a colicky pain on left flank. Most commonly,such a pain results from ureteric colic due to obstruction of the urinary tract(commonly at the level of ureter) by a stone.Unilateral pain,coming in intermittent attacks,associated with nausea vomiting is typical of this condition. Anyhow,as you told,we have to rule out other causes like urinary tract infection also.An abdominal examination followed by urine microscopy and ultrasound abdomen will help in diagnosis. Both the conditions are initially treated with antibiotics,analgesics,antiemetics and adequate fluid intake.Depending on the size and exact location of stones,this may need further intervention.Your doctor will guide you. At the present situation,he cant go for work.Kindly visit the emergency room without delay-otherwise,with ureteric colic,this can progress to hydro nephrosis and further complications. Hope I have answered your query. Wishing for a faster cure. Thank you.