Common Kidney Stone Symptoms

A kidney stone sounds like what it is---a rock in your kidney. Chemicals in your body clump together and form a stone. This stone may stay harmlessly in the kidney or it may travel down the urinary tract. If the stone is large, this will be very painful. Small stones may pass unnoticed.
How do you know if you have a kidney stone? The most common symptom is extreme pain, according to the American Kidney Fund. Other symptoms are presented here.

Pain

The number one symptom of a kidney stone is serious pain, particularly in your back or side, that won't go away. This happens when your urinary tract spasms because the kidney stone has blocked it. It may begin as cramping and then escalate to severe pain.

Nausea and Vomiting

Often the pain of a kidney stone is so severe it causes nausea and vomiting.

Blood in the Urine

Sometimes the kidney stone damages the urinary tract as it passes through so you may see blood in your urine.

Frequent Urination

When your urinary tract is irritated, it may cause you to feel like you have to go to the bathroom more frequently.

Fever and Chills

The irritation from the kidney stone in the urinary tract may cause infection. If this happens, you will experience a fever and chills as a result.

Diagnosis

Only your doctor can diagnose a kidney stone. You will likely need a physical exam, blood and urine tests, and an X-ray.

Resources

• Overview of Kidney Stones
• Mayo Clinic on Kidney Stones

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