Kidney Bruise

Signs and symptoms

These are signs and symptoms of a bruised kidney:

• Blood in the urine

• Abdominal pain

• Pain in the area between your hip and ribs (flank pain)

• Bruising, swelling, or seatbelt marks in the area of your kidney or low back

Home care

If you've had a bruise to your kidney, follow these tips:

• Drink lots of fluid. This means at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

• Rest. Don't lift heavy objects or do strenuous activity for the next few days.

• You may use over-the-counter medicine to control pain, unless your healthcare provider prescribed something else. Talk with your provider before using acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen if you have chronic liver or kidney disease. Also talk with your provider if you've ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. Aspirin should never be used in anyone under 18 years of age who is ill with a fever. This may cause a life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider if you're still having blood in your urine after 2 days (48 hours).

Call 911

Call 911 if any of these occur:

• Fainting, lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, or loss of consciousness

• Rapid heart rate

• Heavy bleeding

• Severe belly (abdominal) pain or swelling

• Severe back pain

• Trouble breathing

• Loss of feeling or weakness in your legs

• Can't hold your urine (incontinence)

When to get medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Back or belly pain that gets worse

• Repeated vomiting

• Increasing amount of blood color in the urine

• Passage of blood clots in the urine

• Unable to pass urine

• Fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your provider