You should know that kidney stones are hard collections of salt and minerals that are made up of calcium and uric acid. They form inside the kidney and travel to different parts of the urinary tract. So without further ado, here are 8 symptoms that might indicate that you have kidney stones.
1. Pain in the back, belly or side
The pain usually starts when the stone moves into the narrow ureter. This creates a blockage which builds up the pressure in the kidney. The pain often starts suddenly and as the stone moves the intensity of the pain changes.
2. Burning sensation or pain during urination
When the stone lands between the ureter and bladder, you’ll experience pain or a burning sensation while urinating. Sometimes, this pain is mistaken for a urinary tract infection so, you should visit your doctor just to be on the safer side.
3. Frequent urination
If you are frequently going to the bathroom to urinate, this could mean that the stone has moved into the lower part of your urinary tract. However, frequent urination may also be a indication of urinary tract infection.
4. Blood in the urine
This is quite a common symptom that people with urinary tract stones suffer from. This symptom is also known as hematuria. The colour of the blood can be brown, red or pink.
5. Smelly or cloudy urine
Foul-smelling urine can also be a sign of an infection in your kidneys or another part of your urinary tract. Cloudiness is a sign of pus in the urine and the smell comes from bactria that cause urninary tract infections.
6. Urinating in small amounts at a time
This happens when large kidney stones get stuck in the ureter. The blockage slows or stops the flow of urine which is why, you may only urinate a little bit each time you visit the washroom. If urine flow stops entirely, then its a medical emergency that needs to be treated immediately.
7. Vominiting and Nausea
This is a common symptom for people with kidney stones. This happens because the nerve connections are common between the kidneys and GI tract. Though, nausea and vomiting can also be your body’s way of responding to intense pain.
8. Chills and Fever
These are signs that you have an infection in your kidney or another part of your urinary tract. Fevers that occur due to infection are usually as high as 100.4˚F or more.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms please consult your doctor immediately.