8 Key Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Stones You Shouldn’t Ignore

Hi everyone, welcome back to another video. Today, we’re diving into the signs and symptoms of kidney stones. In this video, we’ll cover what kidney stones are, their signs and symptoms, and why these symptoms occur.

Kidney stones cause a condition called kidney stone disease, also known as nephrolithiasis. This condition involves the formation of stones, also called renal calculi, within the kidneys. Symptoms typically arise when a stone passes through the renal system. However, if the stone stays in the kidney, it’s often asymptomatic. Symptoms start once the stone moves from the kidney into the ureters.

Kidney stones are a common problem, affecting about 12% of the global population. But before we get into the symptoms, let’s talk about risk factors for kidney stones:

• A personal history of kidney stones increases the likelihood of future occurrences.
• A family history of kidney stones puts you at higher risk.
• Certain medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and gout can also contribute.
• Low fluid intake is another common risk factor.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Stones

The most significant symptom is pain. This pain is usually localized in the flank or back, near the lower edge of the rib cage, and may radiate to the lower abdomen or groin area. It’s often:

• Severe and acute in nature.
• Described as sharp or dull.
• Colicky, meaning it comes in waves due to peristaltic movements of the ureters.

These wave-like contractions push urine from the kidneys to the bladder. When the wave reaches the stone, it can cause intense pain, which then subsides as the wave passes. This fluctuation explains the wave-like pattern of renal colic.

Patients experiencing renal colic often writhe in discomfort, continuously moving to find a position that eases the pain, but they rarely find relief.

Other common symptoms include:

1. Dysuria – Pain or burning sensation during urination.
2. Urinary frequency – Feeling the need to urinate frequently, often passing only small amounts.
3. Nausea and vomiting – Usually caused by the severe pain.
4. Fever and chills – Indicative of infection if the stone causes a blockage.

Other Notable Signs

• Cloudy urine – Caused by infection, with pus or white blood cells in the urine.
• Malodorous urine – Often accompanies cloudy urine.
• Hematuria (blood in the urine) –
  • Microscopic hematuria: Blood isn’t visible but detected through urinalysis.
  • Macroscopic hematuria: Visible blood gives the urine a red, orange, or brown color.

Hematuria occurs because the jagged stone scrapes the walls of the ureters, bladder, and urethra, causing bleeding.