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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffA kidney stone may or may not cause signs and symptoms until it has moved into the ureter — the tube connecting the kidney and bladder. At that point, these signs and symptoms may occur:
- Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
- Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin
- Pain on urination
- Pink, red or brown urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Persistent urge to urinate
- Fever and chills if an infection is present
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs and symptoms that worry you.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Pain so severe that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position
- Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Pain accompanied by fever and chills
- Worcester EM, et al. Nephrolithiasis. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:369.
- Kidney stones in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Diet for kidney stone prevention. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneystonediet/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Watkins RW. Urolithiasis (kidney and bladder stones). In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elxevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177428112-2/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2010.
- Kidney stones. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 6, 2010.
- Humphreys MR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 8, 2010.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 7, 2010.
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