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Kidney Stone Symptoms? Know The Warning Signs

By Dhwani Jerajani +2 more

That radiating pain in your back and abdomen might be because of something more than sleeping in an awkward position. Kidney stones could be the reason behind the debilitating pain you have been experiencing. Turns out that when your father told you to drink those gallons of water, he knew what he was talking about. Kidney stones are very painful.

kidney stone symptoms

Kidney stones are made formed when minerals and salts get deposited. They can affect you anywhere in your urinary tract. Be it your kidneys, ureters, urethra or your bladder; they can be located anywhere. Kidney stones can be formed in anyone. However, certain people are more susceptible than others. Those who have a family history of kidney stones tend to suffer from them. Not drinking enough water, drinking too much or having a high protein diet all contribute to increasing the odds of developing kidney stones. Too much salt or sugar intake also increases the chances of having kidney stones. Those that have a high body mass index (BMI) or have had gastric surgery too are at risk.

There are mainly four kinds of kidney stones. Calcium stones are formed due to a high amount of oxalates in the diet. High intake of Vitamin D, certain fruits, nuts, vegetables and even chocolate have a high level of oxalates. Uric Acid stones are a result of dehydration. Those who drink fewer fluids or have gout suffer from these. Cystine stones are formed when you are genetically susceptible to them. They are formed when kidneys excrete high amounts of specific amino acids. The last type is Struvite stones. These are formed due to some urinary tract infection and here are some home remedies for UTI if you need some quick relief.

There are many warning signs of kidney stones. If you have more than three of these, please consult your doctor immediately.

1. Nausea and Vomiting

People who have kidney stones feel nauseous frequently.

2. Back Pain

Radiating pain that shoots towards the abdomen and groin is another sign of kidney stones. The pain comes in waves and fluctuates in its intensity. The stones go unnoticed until they move down the ureters. This severe pain is known as renal colic.

3. Discoloured Urine

Pink, brown or red urine should ring warning bells about kidney stones in your body. It could be cloudy and even might smell very foul.

Another important sign in males is repeated vomiting and flank pain radiating to scrotum is a specific finding in kidney stone.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

4. Frequent Urination

Kidney stones induce frequent urination in patients. However, the urine will come in small amounts, sometimes just in drops. The need to urinate will be ever-present. Sometimes the stones can block the urine from being excreted. This is a urinary obstruction and is a dangerous condition as it can lead to kidney damage.

Kidney stones are commonly known to recur within a couple of years of their first occurrence. Severely painful situations are usually encountered in patients who have an impacted kidney stone when the size of the stone is large enough to not allow it to pass through a ureter easily which may require a medical or surgical intervention.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

5. Fever and Chills

Those that have kidney stones and also an infection in their system will suffer from fever and chills.

In case, you do have kidney stones; there is no need to panic. Most can be treated with oral medications and by drinking lots of water. If you have an infection, a round of antibiotics will also be needed.

Also Read: Tips to Keep Kidneys Healthy

Did you know?

  • Kidney stones are more common among obese individuals (11.2%) compared to normal-weight individuals (6.1%). source: PMC
  • The prevalence of kidney stones is higher among individuals with a high sodium intake. source: PMC
  • The Risk of kidney stones is higher among men  compared to women. source: PMC
  • Drinking enough water, especially in hot weather or during exercise, helps prevent kidney stones. source: kidney.org
  • Adequate protein intake is important, but it should be part of a balanced diet to prevent kidney stones. source: kidney.org

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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