10 Symptoms of Kidney Stone Everyone Should Know

Kidney stones or renal calculi are a common condition characterized by the formation of hard mineral and salt deposits in the kidneys. They can affect anyone, but some individuals are more prone to developing kidney stones. Men are at greater risk of developing kidney stones and exhibiting symptoms of kidney stones. Stones are usually formed in either or both the kidneys or in the ureter. 

The urinary system consists of the:

• Two kidneys 
• Right and left ureters 
• Urinary bladder 
• Urethra  

10 Common kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) Symptoms

Usually, only large kidney stones are likely to become symptomatic. Some of the commonly observed kidney stones symptoms are:

• Sharp pain in the back, side or lower abdomen
• Intensity of pain
• Triggers for pain
• Painful urination
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Blood in your urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Difficulty Passing Urine
• Urinating More Often Than Usual

If you've been diagnosed with a blockage from a stone, it's crucial to confirm its passage either by catching it in a strainer during urination or through a follow-up X-ray. Remember, being pain-free doesn't necessarily mean the stone has passed. Take care of yourself and ensure proper follow-up to ensure your well-being.

Sharp Pain in The Back, Side Or Lower Abdomen

The symptom of kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis) known as renal colic is characterized by severe pain that begins in the back and side, below the ribs, and radiates to the belly and groin as the stone travels through the urinary tract.

Intensity Of Pain

This pain is often compared to the intensity of childbirth and leads to over half a million emergency room visits. 

Triggers For Pain

Renal colic typically starts suddenly when the stone moves into the ureter, potentially blocking the tube and increasing kidney pressure. The ureter contracts in an attempt to push the stone out, resulting in waves of intermittent pain lasting a few minutes each.

Painful Urination

Pain during urination is called dysuria. It is usually sharp, stinging or burning in nature. However, while painful urination can be a symptom of a stone at the ureter-bladder junction, it can also be caused by other factors. It's important to consult with a urologist to confirm the cause of the condition. 

• Causes of painful urination: Dysuria occurs when the stone reaches the ureter-bladder junction, causing pain at the beginning or end of urination.
• Treatment for painful urination: People with dysuria tend to drink less water to avoid urinating often. This often leads to urine getting more concentrated and makes the burning worse. They should drink more water and make necessary dietary changes.
• An ultrasound scan or Computed Tomography (CT) scan is used to determine the precise location and size of the stone, after which appropriate treatment can be done.

Cloudy Or Foul-Smelling Urine

Clear urine without a strong odour indicates good health. 

• Causes of cloudy or foul-smelling urine: Cloudy or foul-smelling urine is a sign of renal or any other Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The presence of pus makes the urine cloudy (a condition called pyuria), and the foul smell is due to the bacteria causing the infection.
• Treatment for cloudy or foul-smelling urine: A UTI along with a kidney stone may require emergency surgery. The infection can move up the urinary tract to infect the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Along with antibiotics for the infection, surgery is usually considered to remove any obstruction in the urinary tract.

Blood In Urine

Haematuria is the term for blood in the urine. It can be visible (gross) or it can be microscopic haematuria. 

• Causes of blood in the urine: Stones in the urinary tract or any recent procedure involving the urinary tract can lead to haematuria.
• Treatment for blood in the urine: Antibiotics may be needed, and surgery can be done to break up stones in the bladder or the kidneys.

Nausea And Vomiting

Persistent nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of kidney stones. 

• Causes of nausea and vomiting: Renal stones can irritate nerves in the gastrointestinal tract that shares nerve connections with the kidneys. The intense pain associated with renal calculi can also cause nausea and vomiting.

• Treatment for nausea and vomiting:
• Consuming clear, cold drinks
• Eating smaller meals, avoiding fried foods 
• Antiemetics to stop vomiting

Fever And Chills

Fever and chills are serious signs of renal infection and could complicate conditions like renal calculi. 

• Causes of fever and chills: Fever higher than 39.4℃ along with pain and shivering are indications of acute infections.
• Treatment for fever and chills: Plenty of rest, fluids, antibiotics and appropriate treatment for renal calculi are needed.
  
  

Difficulty Passing Urine

Difficulty passing urine can occur when a kidney stone moves into the lower part of the urinary tract. This can lead to difficulty in initiating or maintaining a steady stream of urine. When urine flow is completely blocked despite a full bladder, it is a medical emergency known as acute urinary retention.

• Causes of difficulty passing urine: Urinary obstruction can occur when large stones block a ureter, resulting in the partial or complete cessation of urine flow. It can lead to discomfort and an inability to empty the bladder despite feeling full.
• Treatment for difficulty passing urine: Acute urinary retention requires a catheter to immediately drain the urine from the bladder. Timely treatment helps prevent damage to the bladder and the kidneys.

Urinating More Often Than Usual

When the stone reaches the lower part of the urinary tract, it can cause a strong urge to urinate. Many individuals also experience an increased frequency of urination, both during the day and at night.

• Causes of urinating more often than usual: This condition, called an overactive bladder, occurs when the bladder muscles start contracting even when the volume of urine is low.

• Treatment for urinating more often than usual: There are multiple approaches to treating overactive bladder, including:
• Making behavior modifications
• Medications
• Nerve stimulation

Types of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can be classified into four types:

1. Calcium Stones: The most common type, composed of either calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. Excess calcium remaining after absorption by bones and muscles can accumulate in the kidneys, leading to stone formation.
2. Uric Acid Stones: High-purine diets can cause the formation of monosodium urate, resulting in acidic urine. Crystallisation of uric acid can lead to kidney stones. Even gout or genetic factors can increase uric acid in urine, potentially leading to uric acid stones. 
3. Struvite Stones: Less common but can form rapidly, especially after a urinary tract infection.
4. Cystine Stones: When urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine (cystinuria), it may not dissolve sufficiently, leading to the formation of cystine stones.

Causes of Kidney Stones

Kidney stone is caused when high levels of calcium, uric acid or other chemicals in the urine form crystals. Even normal levels of these minerals can lead to stone formation if the urine lacks substances that prevent the crystals from sticking together. Typically, the kidneys eliminate these chemicals, but insufficient fluid intake can hinder their removal. As a result, the stones may grow larger or move into the ureter, causing the kidney stones in affected individuals.

Some of the common causes are:

• Not drinking enough water
• Too much or too little exercise
• Obesity
• Excess salt or sugar in the diet

Some risk factors predispose people to develop kidney stones. These include:

• Family history or personal history of kidney stones
• Blockage in the urinary tract
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Chronic inflammation of the bowel
• Medications like diuretics (for high blood pressure), calcium-based antacids or antidepressants
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Metabolic disorders
• Renal tubular acidosis

Conclusion

Having kidney stones doesn’t stop a person from performing routine activities. Often, small stones get flushed out on their own and require no treatment. For larger stones, medications and surgical procedures provide successful outcomes and carry very little risk. Recurrence is quite possible and persons who have had stones are at greater risk of developing another stone or even multiple stones. 

Despite the challenges posed by kidney stones, recent advancements in medicine and proactive measures can greatly reduce their impact, allowing individuals to regain their quality of life and minimize the risk of future complications.

FAQs

How are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

After taking a thorough medical history and description of symptoms, doctors are likely to use lab tests and imaging to diagnose kidney stones.

These include:

• Urinalysis 
• Analysis of any stone that has been passed in the urine
• Blood tests to check kidney functions and detect infections
• Abdominal X-ray 
• CT and ultrasound 

What are The Treatment Options for Kidney Stones?

Treatment of kidney stones depends upon their size and location.

Small kidney stones may not need treatment. But they can cause pain till they pass out in the urine. They can be managed with:

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) 
• Intake of plenty of fluids, ideally water to produce clear urine
• Alpha-blockers to help stones pass and medicines for nausea or vomiting

Large kidney stones may need surgical procedures like:

• Shockwave lithotripsy 
• Ureteroscopy
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy 

How to Prevent Kidney Stones

To reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, it is advisable to:

• Drink enough water, especially when there is a history of cystine stones
• Consume a low-salt diet and limit animal protein like beef, organ meat and fish
• Maintain body weight within a reasonable range
• Take prescription medications like potassium citrate or allopurinol that help prevent stone formation

For those who tend to develop calcium oxalate stones, a calcium-rich diet is advised. They could include cow’s milk, yoghurt, cheese and broccoli. Foods like  chocolate, beets, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea, beans and nuts that are rich in oxalates should be avoided. 

When Should I See a Doctor if I Suspect I Have Kidney Stones?

Immediate medical attention is necessary if the following symptoms of kidney stones appear:

• Severe pain
• Fever, nausea, and vomiting along with pain
• Blood in urine
• Difficulty in urinating