What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
Small kidney stones or kidney stones that do not move and remain in the kidney may not produce any symptoms. A small kidney stone may pass in the urine out of the body without causing pain or visible blood in the urine.
When a large kidney stone moves out of the kidney and into the ureter, it generally causes severe, sharp and stabbing pain in the flank area of the lower back. This is called renal colic. Renal colic often comes in waves of severe pain that can be accompanied by profuse sweating, restlessness, irritability, nausea and vomiting.
As a kidney stone moves down the ureter toward the bladder, the pain can move from the flank area to the lower abdominal area and into the groin. Pain may also radiate into the testicles or the labia. If the kidney stone is able to pass into the bladder, the pain usually resolves. Once in the bladder, a kidney stone generally is able to move easily out of the bladder, into the urethra, and out of the body during urination.
Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition
Kidney stones can be extremely painful and lead to serious complications, such as kidney infection and kidney damage. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any symptoms of passing a kidney stone including:
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Bloody or pink-colored urine (hematuria)
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Dark or tea-colored urine
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Difficult urination or lack of urination
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Irritability
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Nausea and vomiting
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Restlessness
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Severe flank pain that can move or radiate to the lower abdomen, groin, labia, or testicles
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Sweating
INTRODUCTION
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are small pieces of hard, crystallized material that form in the kidney. Kidney stones are often made up of calcium, but can also contain uric acid or amino acids (proteins). Kidney stones, also called renal lithiasis, are a common condition....
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CAUSES
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones are tiny hard stones that form in the kidney as a result of a buildup of crystallized material. Kidney stones are often made up of calcium, but they can also contain uric acid or amino acids (proteins). One or more kidney stones can form in one or both kidneys. Kidney stones begin as tiny specks and may gradually increase in size....
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TREATMENTS
How are kidney stones treated?
It is common for a person with a small kidney stone to be unaware of the condition. In fact, it may pass out of the body spontaneously without any treatment. Larger kidney stones that move out of the kidney often require treatment....
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