Kidney Stones
- Symptoms
Kidney stones usually cause symptoms when they pass into one of the ureters. This causes obstruction to the flow of urine and swelling of the kidney, as well as spasms of the ureter. The following symptoms can occur:
- Loin pain: A sudden and severe pain of the back and sides below the ribs, which can radiate downwards towards the groin (also known as renal colic).
- Haematuria: Blood in the urine
- Frequency and urgency in urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills: If there is superimposed infection
Many people may not feel any symptoms. The first symptom of a kidney stone is severe pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine. Typically, you will feel a sharp, cramping pain in your back and side, and around the area of the kidney. The pain may shift to the lower abdomen later on. Sometimes, you may also experience nausea and vomiting. As the stone moves and the body tries to push it out, blood may appear in your urine making the urine pink. As the stone moves down the ureter closer to the bladder, you may feel the need to urinate more often or a burning sensation during urination. If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present.
