Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the flank or back as they move through the urinary tract, but the symptoms should go away within a few days after the stones pass from the body.
Kidney stones are made up of minerals and salts that cannot be dissolved in urine. They can be caused by not having enough water in the body, an unbalanced diet, or metabolic problems. When the stone is still in the kidney and does not block the flow of urine, the patient does not feel it. Then, the stone leaves the kidney with the urine and enters the ureter – the tube that leads from the kidney to the bladder.
The ureter is very narrow, only about 3 mm in diameter. Stones smaller than the ureter usually pass through it without causing any symptoms, but larger stones can cause pain. The pain usually goes away after urinating, as the stone is passed from the body in the urine.
Stones that are too large to move through the ureter block the flow of urine, causing sharp, cramping pain in the side or back, below the rib cage. Sometimes the pain radiates to the groin and genitals.
The pain changes in intensity as the person changes position and as the stone continues to move through the urinary tract. The person is unable to lie still and must constantly turn over to try to stop the pain. This condition may subside for a few hours before returning. Other symptoms of kidney stones include nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine.
The pain tends to lessen as the stone reaches the bladder. If the stone is small or broken into many small pieces, the patient may not feel anything as the stone passes from the bladder through the urethra and out with urine. The urethra usually does not block the urethra because it is twice as wide as the ureter, but very large stones can still cause pain.
Kidney stones can cause sharp, cramping pain in the side or back, below the rib cage. Photo: Ngoc Pham
On average, it takes 31 days for a small stone to pass through the urinary tract. Stones 4 mm or larger may take longer or require a medical procedure to help pass. Once the stone is out of the body through the urinary tract, the pain tends to go away.
Some cases of persistent pain have multiple underlying causes.
– Mild irritation or inflammation as the stone passes through the urinary system. Symptoms resolve within a few days.
– Another stone is stuck in the ureter. At this time, urine is blocked and can flow back up to the kidney, causing kidney damage.
– Pain due to constipation. The doctor prescribed pain medication, one of the side effects of which is constipation, which can also lead to pain and bloating.
– Pain from another cause. The pain may seem similar to kidney stone pain but is caused by something else entirely. Pain in the side, back, or lower chest may be caused by a problem in the digestive tract, abdomen, or genitals.
Patients should seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as chills, fever, urinary retention, confusion, severe fatigue, vomiting, blood clots, foul-smelling or cloudy urine. The doctor may order an ultrasound, a 24-hour urine test, or blood tests to diagnose stones or other potential causes.
Patients should drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help urine flow and reduce the risk of new stones forming. If your urine is dark yellow, it means you are not drinking enough water. If the pain is not too severe, try to exercise to promote the excretion of stones.
People who have had a kidney stone have about a 50% chance of developing another within five years. Prevent the disease by drinking about two liters of water a day, eating less salt, and limiting animal protein to less than 200 grams a day. People should also reduce their sugar intake and increase their fruit and vegetables. People who take vitamin C supplements should take less than 1,000 milligrams a day.