Severe pain in the abdomen is the most telltale symptom of a kidney stone. These stones, called nephrolithiasis, are small pieces of minerals, such as calcium and salts, that accumulate in the kidneys and are too large to pass easily through the ureter into the bladder and out of the body. When they move from the kidney, the stones cause strong waves of pain in the abdomen, as well as other symptoms, such as trouble urinating, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Pain
The most common symptom of kidney stones is extreme pain anywhere in the abdomen that often comes in waves. It is extremely severe pain that is often described as comparable to or even worse than childbirth. The pain usually means that a stone is moving from the kidney through the ureter, the passageway that connects the kidney to the bladder.
A kidney stone that is still in the kidney may not cause pain, or it may cause pain on one side, near the lower back. If it has moved into the ureter, the pain may originate in the lower abdomen, side, or groin. Strong and continuous pain may indicate that the kidney stone is stuck and will not pass without medical treatment.
trouble urinating
If there is a stone in the ureter, the person may have difficulty urinating because the stone prevents urine from passing easily into the bladder. The stones can be smooth or have jagged edges, which can catch and tear the walls of the ureter. This can cause the tissue to bleed, causing a burning sensation and pink or red-tinged urine. As the stone moves into the bladder, it can make a person feel like they need to urinate more often.
nausea and vomiting
The severe pain that is one of the main symptoms of kidney stones can also cause nausea and vomiting in patients. This may, in part, be referred pain, pain that is felt in an area other than where it is being caused. Also, there are nerves in the kidneys that connect to the stomach; When the pressure in the kidneys is high, as happens when they can't drain properly, these nerves tell the stomach to work more slowly, which can cause nausea. A patient may also lose their appetite or experience diarrhea or constipation.
Fever and chills
Other symptoms of kidney stones include clammy, cold, hot, or sweaty skin accompanied by fever or chills. Fever usually means that the stone has caused a blockage and that the kidneys cannot function normally. A blocked kidney can become infected and cause a life-threatening condition called sepsis. In some cases, kidney stones can also be caused by bladder infections, in which case the fever may be caused by that original disease.
Kidney stones without symptoms
In some cases, people have kidney stones that do not cause any noticeable symptoms. If the stones are very small or remain in the kidney, they may not cause any problems or require any treatment. Often these stones are only found when the patient is being tested for an unrelated condition.
Diagnosis
Anyone with severe pain or other symptoms of kidney stones should call a medical professional for an exam. Some symptoms are similar to a urinary tract infection or inflammation of the bladder, called cystitis, so it is important for a medical professional to rule out other causes. Kidney stones can be diagnosed with a blood or urine test, an ultrasound, or an X-ray with or without dye.
Treatment
Most kidney stone symptoms can be treated at home if the patient drinks plenty of water and other fluids to pass the stones and uses over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help decrease pain. However, about 10 to 20 percent of kidney stones are too large at home and need additional treatment. Shock waves can be used to break the stone into pieces small enough to pass through naturally, or a stent can be inserted into the ureter to keep it open long enough for the stone to pass through. Minor surgery under general anesthesia may be needed to remove or break up the stone. If the stone was caused or has caused an infection, it should be treated with antibiotics first, before the stone is removed.