What Is the Pain Like When You Have a Kidney Stone?

Kidney stones can be extremely painful. They are the most common urinary-tract problem. In the United States, about a million people are treated for kidney stones yearly. Formed in the kidney, a kidney stone is a solid piece of material made up of minerals and acid salts that is passed through the urine. The pain and complications that can accompany a kidney stone depend on the size of the stone.

What Is a Kidney Stone?

• Stones form from the buildup of crystals that separate from the urine. Urine possesses chemicals that prevent the formation of crystals, but sometimes stones still form. Four types of stones exist: calcium, struvite, uric acid and cystine. Calcium is the most common stone and is formed with the excess calcium that is usually flushed with urine. The stone should be tested after passing to determine its makeup. Some stones are preventable through proper diet.

Size of Stones

• About 80 percent of kidney stones are less than 2 centimeters in width. They are usually yellow or brown and can be smooth or jagged. A stone can be as small as a grain of sand or, in rare cases, as big as a golf ball. See a doctor if you suspect a kidney stone. Many stones pass on their own, but larger stones may need medical attention.

Symptoms

• Signs of a kidney stone are: extreme pain in your back or side; blood in your urine; fever and chills; nausea and vomiting; urine that smells bad or looks cloudy; a burning feeling when you urinate; and the sensation of constantly needing to urinate.

Location of Pain

• Kidney-stone pain usually starts in the lower back on the side of the kidney with the stone. The pain can radiate to the lower abdomen and groin. As the stone travels, the pain will move with the stone. Therefore, if the stone is moving, the pain will gradually move to the front groin area.

Associated Pain

• The pain from a kidney stone has been compared to giving birth. The pain can be sharp at times but can also be dull and constant pain. Stones can take up to a week to pass, which means pain off and on. The pain intensity can fluctuate. Drinking a lot of water will help the stone flush more quickly. See a doctor for accurate diagnosis or if the stone does not pass. A doctor can prescribe medication that will help with the symptoms and pain that accompanies kidney stones.