9 Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Kidney Stone Early Symptoms
Table of Contents

Kidney stones, known as nephrolith or renal calculi. This is the most common health condition linked to the urinary system. Every year in India almost half of the people from the total population have common problems like kidney stones.

Sometimes in the initial stage of kidney stone, early symptoms are not predictable, just having slight abdominal pain people ignore thinking of having irregular gas tendency. Before any serious complication may arise kindly overview this blog to know what kidney stone early symptoms are.

What are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are clumps of hard salt and minerals often made up of calcium or uric acid. They escalate inside the kidney and can move to other parts of the urinary tract. First of all, it is just like rice grain size, then it eventually becomes big in size. It varies in size.

Some are small and some grow big as time passes. In some cases, the stone size becomes so big it takes up the entire kidney. kidney stone early symptoms can’t be identified because initially, it is just like rice grain size. 

Why are Kidney Stones Formed?

A kidney stone forms when there is an excessive deposit of certain minerals like calcium or uric acid in your body or urine. When you are not well-hydrated, your urine starts developing certain minerals in higher quantities, and then together they are clumped in your urinary tract or other parts of your body. When there are high levels of minerals it’s more likely that a kidney stone will form.

Kidney Stone Early Symptoms

Who is More Prone to Kidney Stones?

Symptoms of passing a kidney stone are mostly found in people who have diabetes or obesity. Even if Kidney stones can also be caused by a genetic condition known as cystinuria.

However, with kidney stone early symptoms are not visible more because the smaller kidney stone remains in the kidney and won’t show any signs of complications. You won’t face any issues till it moves into your ureter – the tube that urine moves through your kidney to your bladder. Sometimes with only medications, the smaller stone can exit from your body through your urine. 

The small stone may move out through your urine within 31 to 45 days. If your stone won’t pass through urine within this time frame, then consult a doctor for a better diagnosis. Vinita Hospital has a kidney stone specialist in Chennai named Dr. Sarita Dasari can help you out with these problems. A casual attitude towards your health can higher the risk of kidney damage and other complications.

What are the 9 Signs and Kidney Stone Early Symptoms?

The kidney stone early symptoms are

Pain in the Back, Belly, or Side

The first kidney stone early symptoms are pain that starts in the back, belly, or some side it is just like a needle poking pain but gradually it starts paining like childbirth pain, which is unbearable for the patient to stand for a while or a movement. If you observe such traumatic experiences kindly seek medical help from Vinita Hospitals doctors who are well-trained enough to examine and identify your stone size.

Pain or Burning During Urination

While urination, you can feel a burning sensation. Mostly this happens when stone reaches the junction between your ureter and bladder.

Sometimes Feel like Urgent Need to Go

Needing to rush to the bathroom more urgently or frequently than usual is another sign of kidney stone early symptoms. This happens when the stone has moved into the lower part of your urinary tract.

Blood in the Urine

Blood in the urine is a sign of kidney stone early symptoms which are known as hematuria. Blood can look red, pink, or brown. Immediately consult a doctor who can test your urine and check up on your problems like hematuria, which is very difficult in seeing without a microscope.

Cloudy or Smelly Urine

Healthy urine is clear and does not have any smell or odor. Cloudy or foul-smelling happens when you have any sign of infection like in your kidney or other parts of the urinary tract.

Going a Small Amount at a Time

The early symptoms of kidney stones also stop your usual urine flow or sometimes there will be a small amount of urine.

Nausea and Vomiting

This is common having nausea and vomiting. This occurs because of shared nerve connections between the kidneys and the GI tract.

Fever and Chills

Fever and chills are kidney stone early symptoms. It happens when there are signs of an infection in your kidney or another part of your urinary tract. Sometimes it can be a serious complication as well.

A Constant Need to Urinate or Pee

If you pee or urinate a constant urge to do more but little comes out when you go, which is a sign of an infection in your kidney or urinary tract.

Conclusion

These are 9 Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Stones, if you have all those above complications then you need to have immediate medical help. Take an appointment at Vinita Hospital, their experienced doctor will check you up and identify your stone size and will give you effective kidney stone treatment.

Read also Best Exercise for Kidney Stones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early symptoms of kidney stones can vary from person to person, but they often include the following signs:

  1. Severe Flank or Back Pain: Kidney stone pain is typically described as a sharp, cramping pain in the lower back or side. It may come on suddenly and can be very intense.

  2. Pain Radiation: The pain may radiate down to the lower abdomen, groin, or even into the testicles or labia in some cases.

  3. Frequent Urination: You may feel a frequent urge to urinate, even if little urine is produced.

Distinguishing kidney stone symptoms from other common ailments like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or musculoskeletal issues can be challenging, as some symptoms overlap. Here are some tips to help differentiate:

  • Location of Pain: Kidney stone pain typically starts in the back or side and may move toward the lower abdomen and groin. UTI pain is usually centered in the lower abdomen or pelvis.

  • Urinary Symptoms: Kidney stones often cause changes in urine color and frequency. UTIs are more likely to cause urinary urgency, a frequent urge to urinate, and a burning sensation during urination.

Yes, kidney stone symptoms can vary based on the type of stone you have. Different types of kidney stones may cause distinct symptoms and can affect individuals differently. Here’s what you should look out for with respect to specific types of kidney stones:

  1. Calcium Oxalate Stones:

    • Symptoms: The most common type of kidney stone, calcium oxalate stones, often cause severe back or flank pain. You may also experience frequent urination, blood in the urine, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
    • Additional Information: Dietary factors, such as high oxalate intake, can contribute to the formation of these stones.
  2. Struvite Stones:

    • Symptoms: Struvite stones are often associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Symptoms may include fever, chills, a strong urge to urinate, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
    • Additional Information: These stones tend to grow quite large and can cause significant discomfort.
  3. Uric Acid Stones:

    • Symptoms: Uric acid stones are linked to high levels of uric acid in the urine. Symptoms can include intense back or side pain, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
    • Additional Information: Dietary factors, dehydration, and conditions like gout can increase the risk of uric acid stone formation.

Yes, there are less common or unusual early symptoms of kidney stones that you should be aware of. While the classic symptoms of kidney stones include severe back or flank pain, blood in the urine, and frequent urination, some individuals may experience atypical symptoms. These can vary depending on factors like the stone’s location, size, and type. Here are some less common early symptoms to be aware of:

  1. Nausea and Vomiting: Some people with kidney stones may experience nausea and vomiting, especially if the stones cause significant pain or discomfort.

  2. Pain in the Groin or Lower Abdomen: While kidney stone pain often starts in the back or flank and radiates downward, in some cases, it may be felt primarily in the groin or lower abdomen.

  3. Painful Urination Without Infection: Pain or a burning sensation during urination is more commonly associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, kidney stones can occasionally cause similar symptoms, especially if they irritate the urinary tract.

  4. Fever and Chills: Although not a typical symptom of kidney stones, if a stone leads to a urinary tract infection, you may experience fever, chills, and an elevated body temperature.

  5. Urinary Urgency and Frequent Urination: Kidney stones can irritate the bladder, causing a sense of urgency and the need to urinate frequently, even when there is little urine to pass.