Symptoms of Kidney Stones

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Symptoms of kidney stones can vary from mild to severe, depending on the size of the stone and the obstruction it causes. Small kidney stones usually do not cause any noticeable symptoms.

Many people with very small kidney stones, usually excrete them from the body (in the urine), without even noticing.

If stones are large enough to cause obstruction of the urine flow, then they can create quite a bit of discomfort to the patient.

Kidney stones can be as a spec, which can only be properly seen under a microscope, or as large as or sometimes larger than a marble.

Kidney stone symptoms are largely dependent on the size of the stone, where it's located, and the degree of obstruction it causes.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

If a kidney stone is present in someone, they may notice blood in the urine, especially if the stone is within the kidney. Usually though, kidney stone symptoms only develop after the stone passes into the ureters (tubes joining the kidneys to the bladder).

If an enlarged kidney stone passes into the ureter, most patients will experience periodic severe cramps or spasmodic pain. Severe pain is one of the major symptoms of kidney stones. Patients may experience pains in the back, in the side, or in the groin area (extending to the inner thighs).

Initially, the pain begins somewhere between the lower ribs and the hip bone. This is an indication that the stone is lodged within the kidney or the ureter. As the stone begins to move closer to the bladder, the pain begins to radiate around the groin and inner thigh area. Women may experience pains in the vulva (external female genitalia), while men may experience pains in the testicles.

This, no doubt, can be extremely uncomfortable and nauseating. Nausea and vomiting are two other common symptoms. These kidney stone symptoms are caused, not only by the severe pain but also as a result of build up of urine in the urinary system.

When the urine becomes backed up this could cause damage to the kidney and ureter. Since one of the primary functions of the kidney is to remove toxins and other waste products from the body, this crucial function is disrupted. This causes a build up of excess toxins and waste products in the blood stream... which causes the nausea and vomiting.

Other common symptoms of kidney stones include frequent and painful urination. Enlarged kidney stones causes obstruction of the urinary system and restricts the normal flow or excretion of urine. Urine trickles rather than flows through the urinary system, resulting in the need to urinate often. Blockage of the urinary tract causes a back up of urine, which results in inflammation and pain during urination.

Blood or pus in the urine is another kidney stone symptom. Blood in the urine may be an early sign of kidney stones, but this may persist as inflammation sets in and kidney damage or damage of the urinary tract occurs. This is usually accompanied by a cloudy or odorous urine.

Other common symptoms include fever and chills. This is usually the result of bacteria being trapped in the kidney, which causes infection.

The kidney stone symptoms described above usually occur when enlarged kidney stones cause significant blockage of the urinary system.

If the stones are very small there may be no symptoms at all. They usually pass out, unnoticed, in the urine.

There may be some mild symptoms, if the stone causes partial but not significant blockage of the urinary system.

Once blockage occurs, however, one of the most noticeable symptoms of kidney stones is mild to sever pains. In its most advanced stage, kidney stone is possibly one of the most painful health conditions.

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