Kidney stones do not always cause symptoms. Problems arise when the stone gets stuck or develops during an infection. Extreme, sharp pain in the side or lower back is the main sign of a kidney stone. It may come and go in waves or cycles, or spread to the groin or inner thigh. A stone can block the flow of urine, which can lead to swelling in the kidney.

Other common symptoms include:

  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Passing urine more often
  • Pain while passing urine
  • Problems passing urine

Kidney, Ureter, Bladder, and Kidney Stone

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REFERENCES:

Kidney stones. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Nephrolithiasis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114904/Nephrolithiasis-in-adults. Updated March 22, 2019. Accessed April 1, 2019.

Symptoms & causes of kidney stones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes. Updated May 2017. Accessed April 1, 2019.

Urinary calculi. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/urinary-calculi/urinary-calculi. Updated March 2018. Accessed April 1, 2019.

Last reviewed March 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD