Do I have a kidney stone? Is it a kidney stone emergency?
At Urology Austin, education is a crucial part of our service to patients. Making an appointment to diagnose certain conditions isn’t always advised, however, sometimes a kidney stone emergency exists and emergency care is the best option.
What is a kidney stone?
Kidney stones are caused by a crystallization of various substances in your urine, usually calcium. They can be as small as a pebble, or as large as a walnut. It’s important to recognize symptoms in order to know when to seek help for kidney stones. When stones are small and able to pass on their own, an appointment with a urologist may be all that is needed. However, if they are large and will not pass, this may require emergency assistance. Kidney stones can cause pain, infection and even kidney damage. When a kidney stone forms, it may travel from the kidney down one of the ureters – thin tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder.
The stones start small, but can grow large enough to fill the entire kidney if not detected early. Kidney stones are very common among both men and women, but children can also get them, although it is rare. Stones are especially common in southern states, like Texas, that have prolonged, warmer climates.
If you are experiencing pain and suspect that the source may be a kidney stone, please read the symptom checker below to decide your next step.
Do I have a kidney stone?
Here is a list of common symptoms associated with kidney stones:
- Severe pain – Many describe this pain as the worst they have ever experienced.
- Pain in flank and back – Kidney stones can cause excruciating pain in the flank (side of the body between the ribs and hip), and/or the back – Pain can start in the upper back and then migrate to the abdomen and groin.
- Changing positions doesn’t help – Kidney stone pain is primarily due to blockage of the urinary track, meaning you can’t alleviate it by moving or changing position.
- Pain accompanied by other symptoms – Nausea, vomiting, hematuria (blood in the urine), as well as fever are all common when someone is having a kidney stone episode.
- Pain comes in waves – The stone periodically blocks the urinary track as it makes its way out, meaning the pain often moves down the body.
Know when to seek help for kidney stones
You may not know that a kidney stone is present until it begins to pass through the urinary tract. When this happens, you may experience any of the following:
- Pain during urination.
- Red, pinkish, or brown colored urine (indicating blood in the urine).
- Urine that is foul-smelling or appears cloudy.
- Pain that feels like it’s hitting you in waves of varying intensity.
- Pain in your back and/or side(s).
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Fever, sometimes accompanied by chills.
Although these symptoms, in themselves, may not require immediate medical attention, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
What is a kidney stone emergency?
You may be experiencing a kidney stone emergency if the following apply:
- A fever above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Burning during urination.
- Cloudy or foul smelling urine.
- Persistent nausea and vomiting.
- Intolerable pain.
- Certain medical conditions that can make passing a stone potentially more dangerous: having only one kidney, diabetes or decreased kidney function.
By themselves, these conditions may not be pointing to a kidney stone emergency. However, an evaluation is recommended. If you do suspect a kidney stone, a trip to an emergency room is advisable, especially if you are experiencing intense, uncontrollable pain. At the hospital, doctors can make the diagnosis and provide treatment for an active kidney stone. Imaging such as x-rays, or a CT scan, will confirm if a stone is present.
What kind of treatment is available for kidney stones?
Once a kidney stone is present, treatment can include:
- Allowing the stone to pass by itself.
- Drinking plenty of water to help flush the stone(s).
- Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may help minimize pain.
- For severe discomfort, prescription pain medication can be prescribed for relief.
- If the stone isn’t passing on its own medications can be prescribed to assist in the process
- Procedures can be used to break up the stone(s) so that they can pass more easily.
- Surgical removal of a stone
Treatment options are based on the size of the kidney stone, and its location, within the urinary system. In general, stones less than 5 millimeters in size have a 50% chance of passing out of the body with conservative therapy alone. Kidney stones that are larger than 5 mm are often treated surgically.
Depending on severity, contact your doctor immediately if you experience pain or discomfort, and seek emergency medical attention if you suspect your case might need immediate intervention.
