Kidney Stone Symptoms
Kidney stone symptoms often don't show up until pain begins. So many
people who experience a kidney stone for the first time never know they have
it until the pain strikes.
It may start with a very distinct, uncomfortable feeling in the lower
back region, or in the region known as the "flank." It can happen on either side of the body. It may
start as a dull ache or discomfort, and then gradually become an intense, very sharp pain. Or it can
"come on strong," without warning, right away.
The pain of a kidney stone has been known to knock some people to their
knees, literally, and can certainly bring almost anyone to tears.
Some people compare it to "stabbing" sensation.
If you see someone writhing, arching their back and grabbing or tugging at
the area around the kidneys, they probably have a kidney stone.
Cramping in the back or the lower abdomen can be another symptom of kidney
stones, as can pain in the groin area.
Other kidney stone symptoms
The most recognizable and common kidney stone symptom, besides pain, is blood
in the urine. But any of the following may be a clue that a kidney stone has formed.
The most common symptoms of kidney stones are blood in the urine or pain. Others include the
following
- Feeling the need to urinate often.
- Cloudy urine.
- Evidence of blood in the urine.
- Inability to urinate even though you feel you need “to go.”
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
Pain severity and location of pain may vary depending on such factors as the
location of the kidney stone and the amount of obstruction the kidney stone is causing.
Fever and chills accompanying any of these kidney stone symptoms may indicate a kidney infection. If this is the case, you should contact a doctor immediately.
Related pages include kidney stone pain, kidney stone removal surgery and kidney stone treatment.
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