Kidney stones are clumps of crystals that form in the kidneys. They may be as small as a grain of sand or, in rare instances, become as large as a golf ball. Kidney stones can be caused by infection, problems with metabolism of minerals, dehydration, or urinary stasis, which occurs when the bladder is not emptied completely. The symptoms of kidney stones are classic and intense.
Flank Pain
According to Scott and White Hospital, pain is the primary symptom of kidney stones that patients present to the hospital with. A kidney stone travels from the kidney where it formed down the tubes called ureters, which drain the kidney into the bladder. As a kidney stone passes through a ureter, patients typically feel flank pain. Flank pain is described as pain over the lower back, starting below the rib cage, and extending down to the top of the hip. The pain is often described as colicky and spastic, coming in waves.
Abdominal Pain
Pain symptoms also affect the abdomen. Patients may have general abdominal pain described as an ache, or the pain may radiate to the groin. Men may feel testicular pain as well.
Nausea and Vomiting
Severe pain from a kidney stone can trigger nausea and vomiting. The severe pain can also cause low blood pressure, which increases symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Dysuria
Dysuria is painful urination. Donna D. Ignatavicius, MS RN, and M. Linda Workman, Ph.D, authors of "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care," explain how a kidney stone can cause painful urination once it reaches the bladder. The stone may irritate the bladder, and as the stone passes through the tube that empties the bladder, called the urethra, the patient may feel severe pain. Urinating is very painful until the stone passes.
Hematuria
Hematuria is blood in the urine. A kidney stone can cause trauma to the tissues that line the ureters, bladder, and urethra. This can cause bleeding from the tissues and blood to be passed in the urine.
Cloudy Urine
If a kidney stone blocks the urethra, urine cannot be emptied from the bladder. The urine in the bladder will become concentrated and stagnant; when you are finally able to urinate, the urine will be cloudy and strong smelling.
Fever
If you experience a fever and you suspect you have a kidney stone, you should see a doctor. Fever can be a sign of infection. If you have not been able to urinate properly, the urine sitting in your bladder can cause an infection. Infection can spread up the ureters to the kidney and make you very sick.
References
- Scott and White Hospital: "Kidney Stones"
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care"; Donna D. Ignatavicius MS RN, & M. Linda Workman Ph.D; 2006
