Kidney stones are hard pieces that form inside the kidneys. Many people don’t know they have a stone until kidney stone symptoms suddenly begin. These symptoms can be very painful and scary. You may feel sharp pain in your back or side, pain that moves to your lower belly or groin, nausea, or burning when you pee.
Kidney stones form when minerals in your urine stick together and harden. Some stones stay in the kidney and cause no problems. But when a stone starts to move, it can block the flow of urine. Larger stones are more likely to get stuck and cause severe pain, pressure, and other symptoms that often mean you need medical care.
5 Kidney Stone Symptoms
When a kidney stone moves or becomes lodged in the ureter, it can:
- Irritate the lining of the urinary tract
- Block urine flow
- Cause inflammation
These changes lead to several recognizable symptoms:
1. Sudden, severe pain
Pain is the most well-known symptom of kidney stones. It often begins suddenly and can feel sharp, cramping, come in waves, or border on unbearable. Pain is the most common reason people seek emergency care. You may experience:
- Pain on one side of your back or flank, just below the ribs
- Pain that radiates into your lower abdomen, pelvis, or groin
- Pain that comes in waves as the ureter contracts
- Burning or sharp pain during urination when the stone is near the bladder
2. Changes in urination
As a stone irritates or partially blocks the urinary tract, you may notice:
- Blood in the urine. It can be pink, red, or brown
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Urinary urgency or frequency, even if very little comes out
- Difficulty urinating
- Decreased urine output
A complete blockage, where almost no urine exits the body, is a medical emergency and needs immediate evaluation.
3. Nausea and vomiting
The kidneys and digestive system share nerve pathways. This is why intense kidney pain can trigger nausea or vomiting. These symptoms may also appear if the pain causes your body to respond with increased stress, with infection, or if you become dehydrated.
4. Fever and chills
Fever, chills, and worsening pain should never be ignored.
A fever combined with flank pain can signal a urinary tract infection, which becomes more serious if it occurs in a ureteral obstruction. Infection plus blockage can progress quickly and requires urgent medical care.
5. Silent stones
Not all kidney stones cause symptoms.
Small stones that remain in the kidney may go unnoticed and are often found during imaging for another reason. Although they may not be painful now, they can grow or move later, so monitoring is important.
What to Do If You Have Kidney Stone Symptoms
Kidney stones can range from mildly uncomfortable to extremely painful. While many small stones pass on their own, you should contact a doctor if you have:
- Severe back, flank, or abdominal pain
- Blood in your urine
- Fever or chills
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Trouble passing urine
- A known history of stones with new or worsening symptoms
Your doctor may recommend:
- Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to confirm the diagnosis
- Pain control
- Medication to help the stone pass
- Additional treatment strategies if the stone is too large to pass on its own
Kidney stones can be very painful, and waiting too long to get help can make things worse. If you notice kidney stone symptoms, getting care early can help ease your pain and prevent problems. Our kidney stone specialists are here for you in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and Conway, SC. They can help find the cause and even provide same-day treatment.
Call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment today!