A kidney stone is a mass in your kidneys that can range in size from a grain of sand to a pearl. The deposit is made up of minerals and crystals that separate from your urine and collect on the inner surface of your kidneys.
Kidney stones are well known for being painful when passing. The discomfort begins when the stone travels down your urinary tract. Although it may feel like it, the pain isn’t caused by tearing of the ureter—but instead is caused by the urinary tract stretching from stone that is stuck in your ureter. The intensity of your pain can’t determine the size of the kidney stone that is passing.
Because kidney stones can develop and grow inside your kidneys for years, you may not even know you have one. If it passes through your urinary tract, however, symptoms will suddenly occur. This is referred to as a kidney stone attack or passing.
Pain
Intense pain in your side, back, and below the ribs is common. Pain may move downward, spreading to your lower abdomen and groin. It’s normal to experience pain that fluctuates in severity and occurs in episodes—you may have a few hours of no pain in between episodes.
Changes in Urine
A change in urination will be noticeable. This includes pink, red, brown, cloudy, or foul smelling urine—urinating can also be painful. You may have an increased frequency in urinating or urinating in small amounts.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that require medical attention. If nausea or vomiting develops, you should go to the hospital for treatment.
Fever
Fever and chills are other symptoms that requires immediate medical attention. A fever is a sign of an infection—the combination of a fever and kidney stone is life threatening.
Other Emergency Symptoms
Over one million people in the US are hospitalized yearly due to kidney stone attacks. In addition to fever and nausea, the following symptoms are also signs of a medical emergency and you should seek help right away:
- Pain that is so bad you can’t sit still or find a comfortable position
- Blood in your urine
- Difficulty passing urine
Treating Symptoms
The majority of kidney stones don’t need invasive treatment.
Medication can help make you more comfortable while passing a stone. Not only can you take pain relievers to reduce your pain, but your doctor can also prescribe a medication that helps with passing the stone. It’s an alpha blocker that relaxes the muscles in your ureter, causing the stone to pass more quickly and with less pain.
Drinking lots of water helps too. Drinking two to three quarts a day can flush out your urinary system. Drink enough water to produce clear or nearly clear urine—unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Larger stones that you can’t pass due to size, pain, or other complications may require surgery.