Kidney Stone Symptoms

Typical Kidney Stone Signs and 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.

Kidney stone symptoms 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. 

Kidney stone pain - the most well known and most obvious of kidney stone symptoms - 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 of the common kidney stone symptoms, as can pain in the groin area.

Other symptoms

The most recognizable and common of kidney stone symptoms, besides pain, is blood in the urine. But any of the following may be also be considered kidney stone symptoms.

• 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.

Learn more about how to cope with kidney stones by clicking here or on the book cover below.