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10 kidney stones symptoms

By Paula Hart, Reviewed: Marisol Rivera Published on Apr 3, 2023.

Sharp, Cramping Pains

Sharp, cramping pains that come on suddenly are one of the most common signs of kidney stones. The pain is caused by the body trying to pass the stone and tends to come and go in waves. Small stones often pass through the ureter quite quickly. Bigger stones or stones that are a less even shape may take longer to pass and be more painful while they’re being evacuated.

Pain Moving From the Back to the Groin

Pain caused by kidney stones may start at the back or side and move to the abdomen or groin. This is often different from pain caused by urinary tract infections. Cramping pains in the abdomen aren’t exclusive to kidney stones. It’s important to seek medical advice if the pain is severe or lasts a long time without subsiding. Medical advice should also be sought if the pain is accompanied by an elevated temperature or other potential kidney stone symptoms, such as nausea or dark-colored urine.

Strong Urge to Urinate

A strong urge to urinate could be a sign of a kidney stone. Small stones often pass out of the body during urination without causing pain or with only minor irritation. Bigger stones may cause a blockage in the urinary tract, and this is often what causes the pain. A strong urge to urinate may be a sign the body is trying to flush out the kidney stone.

Burning Sensations During Urination

Burning sensations during urination are another common sign of a kidney stone, although this symptom could also be a sign of infection. These two issues aren’t exclusive. There are four main types of kidney stones: struvite, cystine, calcium oxalate, and uric acid. Struvite kidney stones are one of the less common varieties and are often associated with an infection of the upper urinary tract.[[2]] If the burning sensation is simply caused by the stone, it should subside when the stone is passed.

Dark or Red-Colored Urine

Dark or red-colored urine could be caused by blood in the urine. Sometimes the blood is clearly visible. In other cases, there’s only a small amount of blood present and it simply tints the urine. Dark urine can also be a sign of dehydration. Blood in urine can occur for many reasons. It’s a good idea to seek professional medical advice, even if traces of blood are only seen once.

Nausea or Vomiting

Nausea and/or vomiting can occur due to the pain caused when passing a kidney stone. Some people benefit from taking pain relievers or drugs that reduce the acidity level of the urine and help with passing the stone. When pain is severe and nausea is persistent, other treatments to help reduce the size of the stone and make it easier to pass may be advisable.

Pain at the Tip of the Penis

Some men experience pain at the tip of their penis when they have a kidney stone. This pain should pass once the kidney stone is gone. Typically, the pain starts in the ureter and progresses down to the tip of the penis. In women, the pain may be felt in the urethral and vaginal areas. Similar symptoms can occur due to a urinary tract infection.

Dehydration May Cause Kidney Stones

Frequent dehydration is a common cause of kidney stones. People who are susceptible to kidney stones are often advised to make sure they drink enough water every day to ensure their urine is pale whenever they go to the toilet. Dark-colored urine is highly concentrated and may contain more of the acids and salts that form kidney stones. Keeping urine diluted helps reduce the risk of more stones forming.

High Salt Intake Can Cause Kidney Stones

Many kidney stones are formed from calcium and salts. It’s a common misconception that dietary calcium causes kidney stones. Dietary calcium is essential for bone health and can help reduce the risk of calcium kidney stones. Excessive salts in a person’s diet, however, can increase their risk of developing kidney stones. Moderating salt intake and drinking lots of water is a relatively easy way to reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Kidney Stone Treatment

Small stones often pass out of the body naturally, and simply drinking more water than normal may be all that’s required to speed the process along. If more water doesn’t resolve the issue, medication to reduce the acidity of the urine may be helpful. Another option is to use ultrasound therapies to break the stone into smaller pieces.[[3]] These pieces can then be passed in urine more easily.