Stone

Kidney stones when to see a doctor: Kidney Stone Symptoms and When to See a Doctor

by alexxlab

Kidney Stone Symptoms and When to See a Doctor

By Heather LindseyMedically Reviewed by Igor Kagan, MD

Reviewed:

Medically Reviewed

Recognizing the symptoms associated with kidney stones is the first step to getting proper and timely care if and when you do have a stone. Thinkstock

Are you experiencing severe pain in your lower back? Is there blood in your urine? Do you have difficulty urinating? You may have a kidney stone, a rock-like deposit created from high levels of minerals and other substances in the urine. (1,2) Kidney stones can form in one or both of your kidneys, organs that remove waste from the blood and excrete urine. (3)

While kidney stones have become increasingly common, with 1 in 11 people in the United States developing them, the important message is that they are treatable — and easily treated if caught early. (4) Untreated kidney stones that grow and cause complications, such as infection, fever, or blood in the urine, can be particularly dangerous.

Recognizing the symptoms associated with kidney stones is the first step to getting proper and timely care if and when you do have a stone.

You’ll Likely Feel Pain When You Have a Kidney Stone

Kidney stones can grow quietly within the kidney without causing any symptoms for months or even years, says John C. Lieske, MD, a consultant in the division of nephrology and hypertension at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. However, when a stone breaks loose, it can block the ureter (the small tube that drains urine from the kidney and transports it to the bladder) and start causing a lot of pain.

The pain can be so severe that many people end up in the emergency room (ER), says Dr. Lieske, with one study finding more than one million visits to the ER in a year because of kidney stones. (5)

Pain occurs because the stone is blocking the flow of urine, explains Daniel Marchalik, MD, a urologist and director of the kidney stone program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. The backup of urine makes the kidney swell, causing discomfort. “The size of the stone isn’t always important,” he says. “Even small stones can become lodged in the ureter and cause a backup of urine and severe pain.”

As the stone travels through the urinary tract, pain can shift from either side of the lower back to the abdomen and the groin, says Dr. Marchalik. Sharp, stabbing pain that comes in waves is common.

“Some women say the pain is worse than childbirth,” adds Naim Maalouf, MD, an associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Overall, symptoms tend to be similar in men and women. However, men can sometimes experience pain radiating to the tip of their penis when the stone is low in the ureter, says Marchalik.

Other Kidney Stone Symptoms, From Nausea to Cloudy Urine

In addition to pain, kidney stones can cause other symptoms: (6,7,8)

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A strong need to urinate
  • Urinating more frequently
  • Urinating small amounts
  • A burning sensation or pain while urinating
  • Blood in the urine — the urine will look brown, pink, or red
  • Cloudy urine
  • Gravel (or tiny kidney stones) in the urine
  • Urine that smells bad
  • Fever and chills, if you also have an infection

When and How Soon to See a Doctor if You Suspect a Stone

At the time of a first kidney stone attack, people often aren’t sure what is going on and need to be seen by a doctor to make sure the symptoms aren’t the result of a more serious problem, such as appendicitis, says Lieske.

As a general rule, you need to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Severe pain that makes sitting still or getting comfortable impossible
  • Pain with nausea and vomiting
  • Pain with fever and chills
  • Blood in the urine
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • A strong need to urinate
  • A burning sensation while urinating

If you can’t see your doctor that day, head to the ER.

“If stone pain and fever develop, go directly to the ER,” says Timothy F. Lesser, MD, a urologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, California. A kidney stone with a urinary tract infection (UTI) may cause sepsis and must be treated immediately. (9)

If urine is trapped behind a kidney stone that is blocking the ureter, the urine can become infected, says Seth K. Bechis, MD, a urologist at UC San Diego Health. This, in turn, can cause an infection of the kidney tissue or result in the infection spreading to the bloodstream, causing sepsis, he explains.

Additionally, over time stones can become infected and harbor bacteria, causing urinary tract infections, adds Dr. Bechis. Some people who have a history of recurrent UTIs are found to have a large stone that continuously sheds bacteria into the urine. When doctors suspect that someone has a kidney stone with a UTI, they place a tube in the ureter or kidney to drain the backed up, infected urine, says Bechis. In addition, antibiotics are given to treat infection. (10)

While men are more prone to kidney stones than women, women are more likely to get UTIs, says Lieske. “So it’s not surprising that women are also more likely to get a urinary infection associated with their kidney stones,” he says.

People With a History of Kidney Stones May Sometimes Forgo the Doctor

While infection with kidney stones is a medical emergency, some people with a history of kidney stones may not always need to see a doctor, says Lieske. After an initial consultation with their physician, people who recognize their symptoms may be able to have pain medication on hand, so they can try passing the stone at home, he explains.  Your doctor will likely have you drink plenty of water to help flush the stone out of your urinary tract.

Whether to use this approach “really depends on how severe the pain is and how comfortable people are with this strategy,” says Lieske. “Anecdotally, it seems that patients may have less severe pain the more kidney stone attacks they have had over the years, although this is certainly not universally true.”

Ibuprofen (Advil) can help with kidney stone pain, while a drug called tamsulosin (Flomax) may help relieve discomfort and enable you to pass the stone, notes Marchalik.

Fortunately, doctors can help you make prevention plans so you can avoid repeatedly developing stones.

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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

  1. Kidney Stones: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. June 3, 2022.
  2. Definition and Facts for Kidney Stones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. May 2017.
  3. How Your Kidneys Work. National Kidney Foundation.
  4. About USDRN. Urinary Stone Disease Research Network.
  5. Foster G, Stocks C, Borofsky MS. Emergency Department Visits and Hospital Admissions for Kidney Stone Disease, 2009. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Briefs. July 2012.
  6. What Are Kidney Stones? Urology Care Foundation.
  7. Kidney Stones. National Kidney Foundation.
  8. Patient Education: Kidney Stones in Adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. July 2022.
  9. Kidney Stones. Sepsis Alliance. February 10, 2022.
  10. Treatment. Sepsis Alliance. March 25, 2021.

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Know When To Seek Help for Kidney Stones – Urologist

Kidney stones are caused by a crystallization of various substances in your urine, usually calcium. They can be as small as a pebble, or as large as a walnut. It’s important to recognize symptoms in order to know when to seek help for kidney stones. When stones are small and able to pass on their own, an appointment with a urologist may be all that is needed. However, if they are large and will not pass, this may require emergency assistance.

Know when to seek help for kidney stones

You may not know that a kidney stone is present until it begins to pass through the urinary tract. When this happens, you may experience any of the following:

  • Pain during urination.
  • Red, pinkish, or brown colored urine (indicating blood in the urine).
  • Urine that is foul-smelling or appears cloudy.
  • Pain that feels like it’s hitting you in waves of varying intensity.
  • Pain in your back and/or side(s).
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Fever, sometimes accompanied by chills.

Although these symptoms, in themselves, may not require immediate medical attention, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

In some cases, emergency care is an essential part of the healing process and for your safety. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Severe pain, vomiting, fever and/or chills.
  • Visible blood in the urine.
  • Difficulty urinating.

Kidney stone treatment options

There are several ways to treat kidney stones. Oftentimes, individuals who experience recurring kidney stones can take preventative measures such as:

  • Drinking a lot of water to help flush the stone out of the body.
  • Maintain a diet low in oxalate-rich foods to avoid further issues.

Once a small kidney stone is present, treatment can include:

  • Drinking plenty of water to help flush the stone(s).
  • Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may help minimize pain.
  • For severe discomfort, prescription pain medication can be prescribed for relief.
  • If the stone isn’t passing, other medications can be prescribed to assist in the process.

For larger kidney stones, procedures can be used to break up the stone(s) so that they can pass more easily. However, in some cases, surgical removal may be necessary.

None of the symptoms listed above should be ignored. Depending on severity, contact your doctor immediately if you experience pain or discomfort, and seek emergency medical attention if you suspect your case might need immediate intervention.

Sometimes a patient may not know when to seek help for kidney stones. If you have any questions or suspect you might have a kidney stone, please contact us at Urology Austin.

Related link

Kidney stones

diagnosis and treatment methods – health articles

Kidney stones are diagnosed today in a large number of people. This pathological condition is quite dangerous and requires immediate treatment. This is due to the fact that it can lead to a violation of the outflow of urine and cause a decrease in the efficiency of the kidneys. Modern methods of treatment are highly effective and quickly return a person to a full life. You just need to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Varieties of pathology

Kidney stones are distinguished primarily by the composition of the stones themselves.

The following formations are distinguished:

  • Urate. They consist of sodium and potassium salts, as well as uric acid. Such calculi are dense and have a smooth surface. The formations are yellow in color and, due to the absence of calcium in the composition, remain invisible on x-rays. For their diagnosis, ultrasound and urinalysis are performed
  • Oxalate. These calculi are dark gray in color, uneven, and more common than others. They contain a lot of calcium, which leads to a high density of formations and their easy diagnosis. These stones can severely injure the lining of the ureter. Therefore, if they are present, many patients complain of severe pain and the appearance of blood impurities in the urine
  • Phosphate. Such formations contain calcium salts, are distinguished by a grayish-white color, a smooth surface and the ability to quickly crumble. They usually appear against the background of chronic infectious processes
  • Struvite. These calculi are greyish in color, soft in texture, and able to grow rapidly. In most cases, such kidney stones are detected in women
  • Cystine. These formations are rare. They are characterized by a yellowish-white color, smooth surface, soft texture and rounded shape. Cystine stones are diagnosed mainly in children and young people
  • Xanthine. Such formations are diagnosed mainly in patients with a hereditary predisposition. Stones of this type are not excreted on their own

Kidney stones in men and women also differ in size.

Allocate:

  • Small formations. They are up to 3 mm
  • Medium. These calculi have a diameter of 3 to 10 mm
  • Large. The dimensions of such formations may exceed 10 mm

Causes

Kidney stones are formed as a result of acquired or congenital metabolic disorders. Predisposing factors for the development of pathology also include:

  • Wrong diet. Usually the diagnosis is made to patients who consume a large amount of vegetable and animal protein against the background of a lack of fruits and vegetables, a number of trace elements and vitamins
  • Lack of fluid. Also, the use of low-quality hard water can lead to pathology
  • Insufficient activity
  • Frequent overheating
  • Living in areas with hot and dry climates, etc.

In some cases, several factors are combined with each other.

There are also special conditions for the formation of stones of certain types. So uric acid is often detected in people who eat mainly meat, consume large amounts of cheese and wine. Oxalate stones are diagnosed in patients who are fond of sweets, tea and coffee.

In some cases, the following diseases lead to the formation of kidney stones:

  • Gout
  • Osteoporosis
  • Gastritis
  • Ulcer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Pyelonephritis, cystitis and prostatitis

Symptoms of kidney stones

Signs of pathology largely depend on the type of stones, their composition and size.

The main symptoms include:

  • Severe pain in the lumbar region
  • Appearance of blood in the urine
  • Appearance of mucus and pus in the urine

Pain can be either moderate, dull and aching, or acute, progressing to renal colic with pronounced discomfort. Often, patients also complain of frequent urination or difficulty urinating, nausea and vomiting, and increased gas formation. During an attack of renal colic, the patient cannot find a comfortable position, is restless and agitated. Often his body temperature rises.

Important! You need to contact a urologist at the first symptoms of kidney stones. Early detection will increase the chances of successful treatment.

Diagnosis

Examination of the patient includes a history and examination. The urologist necessarily finds out the symptoms of the pathology, whether the patient was previously diagnosed with kidney stones, what treatment was carried out, whether any diet was observed during the disease, clarifies the patient’s condition.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient is usually given:

  1. Laboratory research. The patient donates urine and blood. These tests allow you to detect the presence of leukocytes, fresh red blood cells, salts, etc.
  2. Ultrasound diagnostics. This examination allows you to determine the anatomical features of the kidneys, the presence of stones in them and their location. If the patient has colic, then it must be differentiated from acute cholecystitis and appendicitis
  3. Radiography. This diagnosis allows to detect only some types of kidney stones, therefore it is not always informative
  4. Computed tomography. Examination is the gold standard for diagnosis. It allows you to identify formations of any size and type

Other examinations may be performed as needed. Their exact list is determined by the doctor already at the first appointment. The examination itself does not take much time. Thanks to this, first aid is provided to the patient as soon as possible.

Treatment

Conservative methods

Small growths often clear up on their own. At the same time, the patient is prescribed a diet (without meat and meat products) and water load for the speedy removal of kidney stones. With urate calculus, a milk-vegetable diet is recommended. It promotes alkalization of urine. With phosphate formations, it is recommended to take acidic mineral waters.

Certain medications are also prescribed. They contribute to the rapid resorption of formations. Means are taken exclusively under the supervision of a urologist.

Surgical treatment of kidney stones

Surgery is indicated in the following cases:

  • Frequent colic
  • With the development of pyelonephritis
  • For ureteral strictures
  • For large formations
  • With blockade of the kidney, etc.

The method of removing kidney stones is always selected individually. It depends on the size of the formation, its shape, type, characteristics of the patient, his main and concomitant diseases.

Laparoscopic interventions are performed through small incisions. At the same time, they allow you to remove most of the formations. Operations last no longer than open operations, but proceed with minimal blood loss, are not associated with serious complications, and provide conditions for the patient’s speedy rehabilitation.

4K endoscopic interventions are performed using thin instruments that are inserted through the urethra. They are usually prescribed when formations are found in the physiological narrowing of the urinary tract and ureters.

Kidney stone surgery with holmium laser is also quite common. Thanks to the laser, even high-density calculi can be removed.

Remote crushing of kidney stones by ultrasound is performed with formations of low density. The rest of the calculi are excreted naturally.

Benefits of contacting MEDSI

  • Experienced professionals. We employ not only urologists, but also other doctors who have all the necessary knowledge and skills to treat urolithiasis
  • Early and fast diagnosis. The survey can be completed within 1 day. We have the ability to perform ultrasound, CT, MRI and other diagnostics, perform laboratory tests of any type
  • Opportunities for conservative therapy. With small stones in the lower urinary tract, drug regimens can be successfully applied. With special treatment, the formations will go away on their own, without additional interventions. Some types of high-lying calculi can also be dissolved with the help of drugs
  • Personal selection of treatment. We take into account the individuality of each case. Specialists can always offer the best option for any patient
  • Modern methods of treatment. Removal of stones is carried out using laser and other technologies. This allows you to reduce the risks of surgical and postoperative complications, reduce the patient’s recovery time after the intervention
  • Rapid rehabilitation. In some cases, the patient does not even require hospitalization. He can return to his usual life almost immediately
  • Comfortable conditions for all procedures. We ensured the absence of queues, made sure that there were no discomfort even during serious interventions, we guarantee a quick recovery with full medical support

To clarify the features of kidney stone removal or make an appointment with a urologist, just call +7 (495) 7-800-500. Our specialist will answer all questions. Recording is also possible through the SmartMed application.

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Kidney stones – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Kidney stones or nephrolithiasis is one of the most common diseases encountered in urological practice. Calculi begin to form when the urine is saturated with substances such as uric acid, oxalic acid salts (oxalates), or calcium. Kidney stones can migrate and move into the ureter, causing renal colic. At ON CLINIC, you can undergo the treatment of kidney stones using proven methods approved by the global medical community.

Types of kidney stones

Most often, kidney stones occur in patients aged 30 to 50 years. The doctor can determine the composition of the stones. This information is necessary to determine the provoking factors, the choice of appropriate treatment tactics and diet.

There are several types of kidney stones:

  • Oxalates.
  • Urats.
  • Phosphates.
  • Carbonates.
  • Cholesterol stones.
  • Cystine stones.
  • Protein stones.

Oxalates are grey-black in color and with a dense structure and jagged edges. They are formed both with alkaline and with excessively acidic urine. Phosphates are formed with an excess content of calcium salts of phosphoric acid. Appear against the background of an alkaline reaction of urine. Phosphates are prone to active growth against the background of chronic pyelonephritis and other urinary tract infections.

With an excess content of uric acid salts, urates appear. When carbonate salts are precipitated in the urine, carbonates are formed. Protein stones consist of fibrin with salt particles and bacterial cells. Cystine stones are formed by the amino acids cystine. Cholesterol stony formations are usually black in color and soft in texture. They are extremely rare.

In urolithiasis, specialists can detect stones of a mixed type. The most difficult to treat coral stones. They can fill the entire organ.

Main symptoms

The disease can be asymptomatic, but when the calculus advances, blockage of the ureter, severe pain appears. The clinical picture depends on the type of urinary stone, its size, shape and location in the urinary tract.

Renal colic occurs when a kidney stone blocks the flow of urine. This condition is manifested by a sharp pain in the lower back, provoked by an increase in pressure inside the pelvis. If the stone blocks the ureter, then the pain syndrome appears in the groin, thigh, scrotum. Pain in renal colic remains constant with a change in body position.

Renal colic may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, impaired urination, and fever. If you suspect the appearance of renal colic, you should immediately seek medical help.

If the kidney stone does not block the ureter and does not move along the urinary tract, the patient may experience dull pain in the flank or lower back from time to time. Thus, coral stones manifest themselves. Small sharp stones give paroxysmal sharp pain in the lower back and genitals. If even a slight pain syndrome appears, especially in combination with urination disorders, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will offer to conduct an appropriate diagnosis to determine the exact cause of the complaints.

Stones up to a certain point may not cause any symptoms. Usually, clinical manifestations are absent in the presence of small stones that are localized in the lower part of the kidney or are fixed in the wall of the ureter. Urolithiasis should not be ignored. If stones are not removed on time, they contribute to the development of calculous pyelonephritis, can lead to chronic renal failure and dangerous infectious complications.

Causes of kidney stones

The main reason for the formation of kidney stones is a violation of the usual composition of urine. Its supersaturation with stone-forming crystalline substances occurs gradually. Inflammatory and infectious diseases that affect the urinary organs disrupt the colloidal balance and lead to pathological changes in the renal parenchyma.

The main provoking factors:

  • Insufficient fluid intake.
  • Urinary tract infections resulting in changes in urine pH.
  • The predominance of animal protein in the diet.
  • Lack of physical activity.
  • Overweight, diabetes and obesity.
  • Eating a lot of salty, spicy foods.

Kidney stones can also form with certain medications or with excessive intake of nutritional supplements, especially vitamin C and calcium. You should also not abuse tea, cocoa and other sweets with chocolate, which are rich sources of oxalates that contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

Also, experts note the presence of a hereditary predisposition to the formation of kidney stones. People with urological diseases have an increased risk of urolithiasis. The formation of kidney stones can also be associated with increased production of parathyroid hormones, diseases of the digestive tract (Crohn’s disease, malabsorption of nutrients), sarcoidosis. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract violate the acid-base balance. Because of this, there are corresponding changes in the composition of urine.

Violation of calcium metabolism in the human body and what affects its level. Answers endocrinologist ON CLINIC

Examination

If urolithiasis is suspected, ultrasound of the kidneys, survey urography, CT with contrast are prescribed. With the help of laboratory tests of blood, urine, you can determine the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, draw conclusions about the nature of stone formation.

Treatment

Drug treatment of kidney stones involves the administration of drugs that speed up the process of stone expulsion and relieve pain. It is also possible to use agents that can dissolve calculi, which are already removed from the body in the form of sand with urine.

Benefits of treatment at ON CLINIC

  • Modern diagnostic equipment of European quality
  • Carefully selected team of specialists with many years of practical experience in the treatment of urological diseases
  • Ability to contact any related specialist on the day of receipt of the results of the survey
  • Use of safe methods for removing stones from the urinary system
  • Accompaniment by experienced clinic specialists at each stage of medical care, including the rehabilitation period.

Prevention of kidney stones

Since kidney stones tend to recur, it is important to follow certain preventive measures. To monitor the state of the urinary system, ultrasound diagnostics are performed 1-2 times a year.

High concentration of urine is one of the key factors influencing the formation of kidney stones. The main preventive measure is the use of a sufficient amount of fluid. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of fluid per day. With increased physical activity, sweating increases. This increases the concentration of urine, provokes the formation of sand and stones.

Half of the liquid consumed per day should be clean drinking water. It is drunk in small portions throughout the day. Also, for patients with a tendency to form stones, mineral waters with a lower content of calcium and sodium, but rich in magnesium, are suitable. Herbal teas are a good addition to a proper drinking regimen.

Another important way to prevent the appearance of stones is to change the diet. Nutrition should be balanced and varied, with plenty of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to reduce the amount of salt (no more than 3-5 g per day), animal fats and sugar. Meat and fish are consumed no more than 3-4 times a week.

Limit the amount of foods containing oxalates: spinach, tea, chocolate, cocoa, soy, sweet potatoes. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of purines contained in red meat, liver. It is recommended to include protein-rich plant foods (legumes) in the diet.

Excessive calcium intake is contraindicated at high risk of kidney stones. It is also worth avoiding the uncontrolled use of vitamin C. Its amount should not exceed 80 mg per day. Magnesium helps to reduce the concentration of stone-forming substances in the urine. Include leafy vegetables, beans, bananas, whole grain breads, and cereals in your diet. These foods are rich in magnesium.

With a tendency to the appearance of urolithiasis, regular exercise is indicated.