Small kidney stones or kidney stones that remain in the kidney may produce no symptoms. A small kidney stone may pass in the urine out of the body without causing pain or visible blood in the urine. However, when a large kidney stone moves out of the kidney into the ureter it causes severe sharp, stabbing pain in the flank area on the same side of the lower back as the location of the underlying stone. This is called renal colic. Renal colic often comes in waves of very intense pain that can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
As the kidney stone moves down the ureter toward the bladder, the pain moves from the flank area to the lower abdominal area and into the groin. Pain may also radiate into the testicles or the labia. If the kidney stone is able to pass into the bladder, the pain generally resolves. Once in the bladder, a kidney stone generally is able to pass move easily out of the bladder into the urethra and out of the body in the urine.
If a kidney stone becomes lodged in the ureter, it can block the flow of urine from the kidney resulting in dysuria (difficulty urinating) and potentially serious, even life-threatening complications in some people. These include kidney infection, sepsis, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, hydronephrosis, kidney damage, and kidney failure....more about Kidney stones »
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Kidney stones includes the 21 symptoms listed below:
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If you have a kidney stone, you may already know how painful it can be. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not just go away. It may even get larger. Your doctor can help.
You should call a doctor when you have
These may be signs of a kidney stone that needs a doctor's care. (Source: excerpt from What Are Kidney Stones: NIDDK)
Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain. The pain often begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract, causing irritation or blockage. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin.
If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the tiny ureter try to squeeze the stone along into the bladder. As a stone grows or moves, blood may appear in the urine. As the stone moves down the ureter closer to the bladder, you may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination.
If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, you should contact a doctor immediately. (Source: excerpt from Kidney Stones in Adults: NIDDK)
Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain. The pain often begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract, causing irritation or blockage. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur with this pain. Later, the pain may spread to the groin.
If the stone is too large to pass easily, the pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the tiny ureter try to squeeze the stone along into the bladder. As a stone grows or moves, blood may be found in the urine. As the stone moves down the ureter closer to the bladder, a person may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination.
If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, a doctor should be contacted immediately. (Source: excerpt from Kidney Stones: NWHIC)
When considering symptoms of Kidney stones, it is also important to consider Kidney stones as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Kidney stones may cause:
For a more detailed analysis of Kidney stones as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Kidney stones.
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
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The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Kidney stones. This signs and symptoms information for Kidney stones has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Kidney stones signs or Kidney stones symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Kidney stones may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Kidney stones symptoms.
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