Symptoms of Kidney Stones

by Michael Jubinville, MPH

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

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.... 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
Last Updated: 4/1/2019

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