Kidney Stones Symptoms and Signs

When a tubular structure is blocked in the body, pain is generated in waves as the body tries to unblock the obstruction. These waves of pain are called colic. This is opposed to non-colicky type pain, like appendicitis or pancreatitis, in which movement causes increased pain and affected people hold very still.

• Renal colic (renal is the medical term for things related to the kidney) has a classic presentation when a kidney stone is being passed.



• The pain is intense and comes on suddenly. It may wax and wane, but there is usually a significant underlying ache between the acute spasms of pain.



• It is usually located in the flank or the side of the mid back and radiates to the groin.



• Those affected cannot find a comfortable position, and many writhe in pain.



• Sweating, nausea, and vomiting are common.



• Blood may be visible in the urine because the stone has irritated the ureter. Blood in the urine (hematuria), however, does not always mean a person has a kidney stone. There may be other reasons for the blood, including kidney and bladder infections, trauma, or tumors. Urinalysis with a microscope may detect blood even if it is not appreciated by the naked eye. Sometimes, if the stone causes complete obstruction, no blood may be found in the urine because it cannot get past the stone.

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Kidney Stones - Symptoms Experienced

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