Kidney stones form when there is a high concentration of minerals in the urine, leading to the formation of a solid material very similar to a stone. Kidney stones can vary in size and shape. If it is very small, like a grain of sand, you may not feel it, and it may pass on its own without causing pain. If the stone grows large enough, it can get blocked in the urinary system, obstructing the flow of urine and causing various symptoms that we will discuss shortly.
According to a recent clinical study on the subject, up to 45.7% of patients with kidney stones would be asymptomatic.1 This means that these patients do not experience the common symptoms caused by stones and are unaware that they have a stone. It is generally discovered by chance with an X-ray.
However, the vast majority of patients with kidney stones have very identifiable and generally very painful symptoms:
- Presence of blood in the urine (pink, red, or coffee-colored urine), also called hematuria.
- Sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin.
- Constant urge to urinate.
- Painful urination.
- Inability to urinate or only being able to urinate a small amount.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional immediately. The pain can last for a short or long period and can come and go in waves. Along with the pain, you may also experience:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
The doctor can confirm the presence of one or more stones in your kidneys by taking an X-ray and analyzing the composition of your urine and blood.
If you want to know more about how different types of kidney stones are treated or how to prevent them, you can take a look at the following articles:
- Calcium oxalate stones: what are they? why do they occur? how to prevent them?
- Infection stones: what are they? why do they occur? how to prevent them?
- What causes uric acid?
Ref:
1. https://cjasn.asnjournals.org/content/4/3/680.full
