In humans, the two kidneys remove excess waste and salt from the body in the form of urine. Waste removal by the kidneys helps the body maintain normal blood pressure levels, keeping the heart healthy. If there is too much waste in the urine, it can solidify and form crystals called kidney stones. Speak with your doctor if you develop kidney stone symptoms to ensure that you receive appropriate treatment to resolve this condition.
Pain
The two kidneys are located on either side of the back immediately below the ribcage. Patients who experience symptoms caused by kidney stones often experience aching or sharp pain in the lower back. Depending on the size and location of the kidney stones, painful symptoms can radiate toward the front of the body or down into the groin. Such symptoms can make sitting in certain positions uncomfortable for patients with this condition. Painful symptoms can occur intermittently, but typically persist until the kidney stone is passed with the urine.
Nausea or Vomiting
If you experience severe pain due to a kidney stone, you can also experience additional symptoms of nausea or vomiting, according to the Better Health Channel, an informational online health site sponsored by the Australian government.
Hematuria
A kidney stone can cause damage to the interior wall of the urinary tract as it is worked out of the body. If this occurs, you may notice that your urine appears brown, red or pink in color due to the presence of blood---a condition referred to as hematuria.
Urinary Pain
When a kidney stone passes near the bladder, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore explains that patients can experience an increased urge to urinate. Kidney stones can also cause you to experience a painful or burning sensation when you urinate.
Fever
A large kidney stone can become stuck in the urinary tract, which can cause waste to build up in the body. If this occurs, you can develop a urinary, bladder or kidney infection. The most common symptom associated with an infection caused by a kidney stone is fever. Infection can also cause additional symptoms, such as chills, sweating and urinary pain or urgency. Report these symptoms to your doctor, as you may require additional antibiotic treatment in order to resolve this infection.
