<s>[INST] Hi, I have a nagging pain on the left side of my back, like around the kidney / lower lung area. Sometimes it feel like whatever is there is mushy or like its a flowey feeling like a underwater, but sometimes its a bit sharp.  I am quite a healthy 50yr woman, have some weight on around middle, and have been drinking a lot of wine lately, which i know is causing the weight. Sandra [/INST] Hello, Thanks for writing to the pain on the left side of back could be due to a renal infection or a stone if the pain does not seem to be muscular in nature. This can be ruled out after getting an ultrasound scan done. If the pain is aggravated with deep breathing or coughing then a rib injury or a muscular sprain is likely. The other causes that need to be ruled out include lung infections like pleuritic. Hope this helps you. </s>