Kidney Stones Symptoms

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are crystalline structures composed of materials that are normally excreted by the kidneys in the urine. Kidney stones are the third most common urinary tract disorders. In fact, one out of every ten people will suffer from kidney stones symptoms at least once in their lives.

The formation of kidney stones is a complex process; one that is not yet fully understood. Kidney stones formation is said to encompass many factors, including increases in urinary and blood levels of stone components and interaction among these components. Other factors that are said to contribute to kidney stones formation are anatomical changes in the structures of the urinary tract, endocrine and metabolic influences, UTI, and dietary factors.

There are different kinds of kidney stones, each with different contributing factors. Calcium stones are linked to increased concentrations of calcium and oxalate in the blood and urine. Magnesium ammonium phosphate stones are formed in alkaline urine and in the presence of a particular bacterium, which splits the urea in the urine into carbon dioxide and ammonia. Uric acid stones develop in conditions of gout and high amounts of uric acid in the urine. Cystine stones, meanwhile, are seen in people with cystinuria—a rare genetic disorder which results in the renal transport of cystine.

One of the major kidney stones symptoms is pain. Kidney pain, as one of the kidney stones symptoms, depends on the location of the stones. Colicky pain indicates that the stones are small enough to obstruct the ureter and the urine flow. Kidney stones in the ureter cause excruciating pain in the flank and the upper outer quadrant of the abdomen (it may be right or left abdomen, depending on the affected side). The pain may radiate to the bladder area, lower abdomen, perineum, or scrotum in males. Non-colicky pain, as one of the kidney stones symptoms, signifies stones in the renal pelvis. The pain is commonly dull and deep, located in the flank or back. The pain can either be mild or severe and is usually aggravated by drinking plenty of fluids.

Kidney stones symptoms also include nausea and vomiting. Another of the kidney stones symptoms is blood in the urine—though most of the times the blood may not be plenty enough to be seen by the naked eye; a urinalysis will usually confirm the presence of blood. Fever and chills can also be present.

Some people who suffer from kidney stones do not manifest any kidney stones symptoms. In these cases, watchful waiting might be the only thing done. Most stones are only about 5mm in size; these stones can pass spontaneously along with the urine. For larger stones, stone removal may be necessary. There are several methods to remove kidney stones, including ureteroscopic removal and extracorporeal lithotripsy.

People who are no longer able to tolerate kidney stones symptoms such as intense and recurring pain should immediately seek medical advice.  Most stones will usually pass out of the body without any intervention, but there are others that will need medical attention.

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