Beyond Pain: Lesser Known Signs of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a prevalent issue in many people that lead to pain – but there are other symptoms as well. Knowing the signs of a kidney stone saves you from days of pain by signaling you to get treatment.

At Metro Renal Associates, our three experienced nephrologists specialize in kidney disease and kidney stones. We offer various treatments, lifestyle tips to pass stones on your own, and other therapies for larger stones.

Understanding kidney stones

Kidney stones are small, solid, pebble-like objects originating in the kidneys. They are made of minerals, salts, and crystals and range in size from a tiny piece of sand to a larger mass.

Small stones may form and pass without any symptoms as long as they don't irritate the inside of the kidney or ureter. Larger stones get stuck in the ureter, causing intense flank pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Urine contains many minerals and substances that can stick together without enough liquid in the kidneys. The result is a kidney stone that forms over weeks to months.

Is pain the only symptom?

There's no doubt that kidney stones, particularly larger ones, are painful. The pain originates in the flank, back, or lower abdomen and sometimes extends to the groin on the affected side.

But pain isn't the only sign of a kidney stone. Pain may be mild if you have a smaller stone. Other symptoms to look out for include:

Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

A urinary tract infection or kidney infection may accompany a stone, causing urine to be cloudy and smell bad. White blood cells enter the urine in an attempt to fight the infection, contributing to the cloudy appearance.

Bloody urine

Kidney stones move around in the kidneys and eventually down into the ureter. If they're big enough, that movement triggers bleeding, which causes discolored or bloody urine.

Increased urination

Some people feel like they need to urinate more often when they have a kidney stone. The urge comes from your body trying to eliminate the stone.

Difficulty with urination

If the kidney stone is large enough, you may have difficulty urinating. You may have a lot of urine but can only get a little out at a time.

Fever

An infection in the kidney or urinary tract can cause a fever. If an infection is lurking, some kidney stones are accompanied by a fever or chills.

Nausea or vomiting

The pain from a kidney stone is sometimes so severe it causes nausea and vomiting. A kidney infection may also cause you to feel generally unwell. 

Seeking treatment for a kidney stone

If you suspect a kidney stone and have uncomfortable symptoms, it's best to seek treatment immediately. We discuss your symptoms and have you provide a urine sample to test for blood or infection.

We may also do an ultrasound or a CT scan to see the kidneys and determine if there's a large stone. The treatment depends on the size of the stone and if you can pass it alone.

Medications manage pain and other symptoms related to a kidney stone until it can pass if it's small enough. Larger stones may require more invasive procedures to break up the stone or remove it from the ureter.

Call Metro Renal Associates in Washington, D.C., and Capitol Heights, Maryland, today to schedule an appointment for kidney stone treatment, or use our convenient online booking tool to request a consultation.